What is the significance of the year 1066

So when Harold was crowned, William protested vigorously. When his objections were ignored he began making plans to assert his claim by force. Before William could launch his invasion Harold had to counter another threat — from Viking Harald Hardrada, of Norway, a third claimant to the throne. King Harold swiftly assembled his forces and marched day and night towards York to counter this new threat.

However, when he died in January , he left no heir to the throne. His nearest surviving blood relative was Edgar — but he was only a child and no-one would respect him. Edgar had also spent a lot of time in Hungary — so few people knew him in England. This was a time when powerful men who were victorious in battle were respected; so a child like Edgar had little chance to impress those who held power in England.

The most powerful nobleman was Harold Godwinson and he was Earl of Wessex. William claimed that he was the rightful heir to the throne of England despite the fact that he was not English. He visited England in and claimed that Edward promised the throne to him when he died. There is no proof of this promise being made. Also in , Harold was shipwrecked off of the coast of Normandy and held captive by Count Guy de Ponthieu. By any standards, Harold was a prize catch for William.

Harold was faced with two choices: he could spend the rest of his life in Norman captivity or he could return to England and lead the life of a nobleman. The Bayeaux Tapestry clearly shows Harold swearing a sacred oath on the bones of a saint. For this reason, William was confident that Harold would keep his promise on the death of Edward. However, despite the Bayeaux Tapestry , there is no proof that Harold actually did make this promise. A man called William of Poitiers, claimed that he witnessed the promise being made.

Nothing about a promise is mentioned in this. When William heard of what Harold had done, it is said that he flew into a terrible rage of anger. Oliver Cromwell was a political and military leader in 17th century England who served as Lord Protector, or head of state, of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland for a five-year-period until his death in Cromwell was known for being ruthless in battle, and he Live TV.

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