In
1065 Edward the Confessor became very
ill. Harold
Godwinson claimed that Edward promised him the throne just before
he died on 5th January, 1066. The next day there was a meeting of
the Witan to decide who would become the
next king of England. The Witan considered the merits of four main
candidates: Harold
Godwinson, Edgar Etheling, Harald
Hardrada and William, Duke of Normandy.
In 1065 On 6th January 1066, the Witan
decided that Harold
Godwinson was to be the next king of England. The main opposition
to Harold came from two brothers, Edwin, Earl of Mercia
and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria. To gain their support, Harold married
their sister Edith.
King
Harold was fully aware that Harald Hardrada
of Norway and William of Normandy would
probably try to take the throne from him. He believed that the Normans
posed the main danger and he positioned his troops on the south coast
of England.
Harold's soldiers were made up of housecarls
and the fyrd. Housecarls were well-trained,
full-time soldiers who were paid for their services but the fyrd were
working men who were called up to fight for the king in times of danger.
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