| Factor | Harold Godwinson | Harald Hardrada | William of Normandy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claim strength | Deathbed promise; English support; Witan backing | Dynastic agreement (kings of previous generation) | Edward's earlier promise; Harold's oath on holy relics |
| Military strength | Proven commander; strong shield wall | Feared Viking warrior; 300 ships; 15,000 men | Best cavalry in Europe; papal banner; superior tactics |
| Key advantages | Home territory; speed to Stamford Bridge | Experience; scale of army | Papal support; weather luck; cavalry + archers combination |
| Fatal weakness | Exhausted army after Stamford Bridge; rushed south | Caught unprepared at Stamford Bridge; killed there | Had to cross the Channel — dependent on weather |
| Outcome | Won at Stamford Bridge; killed at Hastings | Killed at Stamford Bridge, 25 September | Crowned Christmas Day 1066; transformed England |
This comparison covers Why Did William Win? Comparing the Three Claimants within The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087 for GCSE History. Revise The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087 in Component Group 3 — British Depth Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 17 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 10 of 16 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087
Describe two features of the struggle for the English throne in 1066. [4 marks]
Describe two features of Norman castles built after 1066. [4 marks]
Quick recall flashcards
Where and when was William I crowned king of England?
William was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 25 December 1066. The choice of location was deliberate: Westminster was where Edward the Confessor had been crowned and buried — William was associating his rule with Edward's legitimate line, claiming continuity rather than break. The coronation was reportedly chaotic: Norman guards outside mistook the shouts of acclamation inside for an attack and began burning nearby houses.
Describe two features of motte and bailey castles.
Feature 1: Structure — a raised earth mound (motte) with a wooden tower or keep on top, and a fenced courtyard (bailey) at the base. Feature 2: Function — they could be built very quickly (weeks, not months), allowing Norman lords to establish military control of an area rapidly after conquest. Small Norman garrisons could dominate large areas. Over 500 were built across England in the first generation after 1066.