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Harold Godwinson Essay

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True King of England
Harold Godwinson
Thomas Faulkner
Harold Godwinson, King of England reigned from 6 January 1066 until 14 October when he died in the Battle of Hastings in the same year. He was fighting against the Normans who were invading England and led by William the Conqueror. Harold Godwinson, King of England died from an arrow that struck him in the eye. Harold Godwinson succeeded and was chosen by Edward the Confessor. William the Duke of Normandy and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway thought that they should have succeeded Edward the Confessor instead of Harold Godwinson. Harold Godwinson was the last Anglo Saxon King of England and therefore I believe the last true Englishman to claim the throne.

There are three main reasons why I believe that Harold Godwinson was the final true king of England. Firstly, Harold was powerful and ambitious. Secondly, he was an excellent soldier who had the skills to lead England into battle against the Norman invaders. Finally and most importantly he was the last Anglo-Saxon to rule England and therefore the last true king of England. He was chosen by the Witan who were a council of 60 of the most powerful noblemen.

Harold …show more content…

The Witan wanted an Anglo-Saxon to rule England. Harold Godwinson did not want the Normans in England and thought he had been tricked by William the Conqueror. He had been forced to promise loyalty to William the Conqueror as they had his nephew hostage and made him sign a sacred oath of allegiance. William was holding his nephew hostage and said he would only be released if Harold swore to be loyal to him and help William become King. This means that William of Normandy was afraid that Harold Godwinson was going to win the Battle of Hastings and not him which is quite ironic when you know who won the Battle of

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