What was the basis of William's claim to the English throne?

That Edward the Confessor had promised him the succession in 1051, and that Harold had sworn an oath to support that claim during his visit to Normandy.

How strong was William's hereditary claim?

Weak. He was a first cousin once removed of Edward through Emma of Normandy, and had no descent from the English royal line.

How did William secure papal support?

By presenting Harold as a perjurer and the English church under Stigand as corrupt, which won him a papal banner and the appearance of a holy enterprise.

Edexcel A-Level History 9HI0

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Topic overview The Tudor monarchs The changing role of parliament The principal servants of the crown Tudor monarchs and religious change Catholicism and its survival Protestantism and puritanism Tudor control of the country The state and the poor Resistance to Tudor rule Patterns of domestic and foreign trade The changing structure of society Cultural change Threats to national security from Spain and Ireland Faction at court and the succession issue Conflicts with parliament and the session of 1601 Harvest failures and social distress in the 1590s

Britain, 1625–1701: Conflict, Revolution and SettlementPaper 1

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Britain, c1785–c1870: Democracy, Protest and ReformPaper 1

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Topic overview A changing presidency Influences on the political landscape The impact of war on domestic politics Black American civil rights, c1917–55 Black American civil rights, c1955–80 The search for minority rights, 1960–80 The changing position of women, 1917–80 The impact of immigration, 1917-80 Popular culture and the news media Economic influences on American life Changing living standards Leisure and travel Reagan’s economic policies The extent to which big government was reduced The nature and extent of social change The revitalisation of the presidency and US politics

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Britain Transformed, 1918–97Paper 1

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England and the Angevin Empire in the Reign of Henry II, 1154–89Paper 2

Topic overview England and the Angevin Empire in 1154 Henry II and the nobility Wales, Scotland and Ireland The Angevin lands in France Central institutions Financial reforms Legal reforms The changing nature of kingship Henry’s problems with the church Becket and the king, 1162–64 The failure to compromise, 1169–70 The settlements between king and church, 1172–74 Power and family rivalries Causes of the Great Rebellion of 1173–74 The defeat of the Great Rebellion Philip Augustus and the collapse of Henry's power, 1180-89

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France in Revolution, 1774–99Paper 2

Topic overview The ancien régime and its challenges in 1774 Problems facing France in the 1780s The failings of Louis XVI and his ministers The onset of revolution 1789 Attempts to create a constitution, 1789–91 The political environment, 1789–93 Breakdown of relations with the king, 1791–92 The revolution radicalised, 1792–93 Preconditions for ‘terror’Organising the Terror The Great Terror 1794 The coup of Thermidor Problems facing the Directory The work of the Directory Dealing with internal and external threats The coup de Brumaire 1799

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The Unification of Italy, c1830–70Paper 2

Topic overview Challenges to the restored order, 1830–1847 Nationalist influences, 1830–47 Revolutions of 1848–49 Reasons for the failure of the revolutions Legacy of the 1848–49 revolutions Political developments in Piedmont Economic developments in Piedmont Developments in diplomacy Causes of the Second Italian War of Independence Impact of war with Austria, 1859–60 Garibaldi’s takeover of the south in 1860 The north and south unite, 1860–61 Obstacles to unity after 1861 Solving the ‘Venetian question’, 1861–66 Solving the problem of Rome, 1861–70 Unity in 1870

The Unification of Germany, c1840–71Paper 2

Topic overview The political situation in the 1840s Economic and social developments in the 1840s Short-term causes of revolution, 1846–48 Outbreak of revolution in 1848 The Frankfurt Parliament, 1848–49 Revolution in Prussia, 1848–49 Reasons for the failure of the revolutions The political impact of the German revolutions Austrian strengths and weaknesses Economic developments in Prussia Political developments in Prussia Prussia’s victory over Austria, 1862–1866 Prussia’s role in Germany, 1866–67 Prussia’s relations with France, 1866–70 The Franco-Prussian War and the German Empire Reasons for Prussia's success

Mao’s China, 1949–76Paper 2

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The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90Paper 2

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India, c1914–48: The Road to IndependencePaper 2

Topic overview India in 1914 India and the First World War Effects of war on British rule The growth of nationalism Gandhi and civil disobedience, 1920–22 Congress reorganised, 1922–30 The Muslim League British response Failure of the Round Table Conferences, 1930–32 Political developments, 1932–35 Government of India Act and its impact, 1935–39 Reaction to outbreak of the Second World War Impact of the Second World War on Indian politics Britain and India, 1942-45 Attempts at political settlement, 1945–46 Withdrawal, partition and independence, 1947–48

South Africa, 1948–94: From Apartheid State to ‘Rainbow Nation’Paper 2

Topic overview Life in South Africa c1948 National Party victory 1948 Codifying and implementing apartheid, 1948–59 African nationalism, 1948–59 Resistance and government reaction, 1960-61 Creating a republic, 1960–61 African nationalist radicalisation, 1961–68 Strengthening ‘separate development’, 1961–68 Black Consciousness and the Soweto uprising The ANC re-strengthened Domestic challenges to National Party power, 1974–83 External pressures on National Party power, 1974–83 Revolt in the townships, 1984–87 Botha’s decision to negotiate, 1985–89 Negotiation and compromise, 1989–91 A new political settlement, 1992–94

The Rise and Fall of Fascism in Italy, c1911–46Paper 2

Topic overview Italy in the early twentieth century Giolitti’s government in 1911 Growing instability, 1912–14 Impact of the First World War Challenges to the Liberal State Mussolini and the development of fascism, 1919–22 Mussolini gains power, 1920–22 The creation of a fascist dictatorship, 1922–26 Consent and control Relationship with political and economic interests Economic policies Relationship with the Catholic Church Italy’s international standing in 1935 Foreign policy, 1935–40 Impact of the Second World War, 1940–43 Democracy restored, 1943–46

Spain, 1930–78: Republicanism, Francoism and the Re-Establishment of DemocracyPaper 2

Topic overview Spain, 1930–31 Years of reform, 1931–33 Years of reaction, 1933–36 The failure of the Popular Front 1936 Spain at the outbreak of war July–August 1936 The course of the war Life during the war Reasons for Nationalist victory Creation of the ‘new state’Controlling society under Franco Economic development under Franco The dictatorship and foreign relations, 1939–56 Economic and social change, 1956–75 Political developments, 1956–75 Planning and managing succession Transition to democracy

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The USA, 1955–92: Conformity and ChallengePaper 2

Topic overview Urbanisation and affluence Cultural conformity and challenge The civil rights movement Kennedy’s New Frontier Civil rights: Malcolm X and Black Power Protest and personal freedom Johnson’s Great Society, 1964–68 Reactions to the counter-culture, 1968–72 The crisis of political leadership The impact of economic change on society Changing popular culture Progress in individual and civil rights New directions in economic policy The Religious Right and its critics Cultural challenge Social change in the USA, 1955-92

Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509Paper 3

Rebellion and Disorder Under the Tudors, 1485–1603Paper 3

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The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598Paper 3

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The Witch Craze in Britain, Europe and North America, c1580–c1750Paper 3

Industrialisation and Social Change in Britain, 1759–1928: Forging a New SocietyPaper 3

Poverty, Public Health and the State in Britain, c1780–1939Paper 3

Britain: Losing and Gaining an Empire, 1763–1914Paper 3

The British Experience of Warfare, c1790–1918Paper 3

Protest, Agitation and Parliamentary Reform in Britain, c1780–1928Paper 3

Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923Paper 3

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The Changing Nature of Warfare, 1859–1991: Perception and RealityPaper 3

Germany, 1871–1990: United, Divided and ReunitedPaper 3

The Making of Modern Russia, 1855–1991Paper 3

The Making of Modern China, 1860–1997Paper 3

Topic overview Improved communications and the application of western technologies, 1860–1997 The growth of mining and manufacturing, 1860–1997 Ideas and ideologies promoting change, 1860-1997 The roles of individuals in promoting economic growth, 1860–1997 The Treaty of Tianjin, 1860 Treaty ports and the significance of growing foreign trade Foreign language schools and missionaries The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95 The Triple Intervention and new concessions The Boxer Rebellion, 1898-1900 The Manchurian Crisis of 1931-33 Reasons for all-out war in 1937 The impact of war, 1937-39, and the role of the USA Russian demands and the Khrushchev-Mao clash Mao's growing fears of the Soviet Union Military confrontation in 1969 China's growing importance in world organisations Closer cooperation with Japan and the USA The peaceful return of Hong Kong, 1997

Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA, 1850–2009Paper 3

Mass Media and Social Change in Britain, 1882–2004Paper 3

Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106

William of Normandy’s decision to invade England in 1066

3 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on the claim and the disputed oath, the strength of Normandy, papal support, how the fleet was raised, and how great the risk was.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What happened during Harold's visit to Normandy around 1064?

Who and when

Why did William believe he could win?

Evaluation

What was the military strength of Normandy in 1066?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What was the basis of William's claim to the English throne?
Model answer
That Edward the Confessor had promised him the succession in 1051, and that Harold had sworn an oath to support that claim during his visit to Normandy.
2
What happened during Harold's visit to Normandy around 1064?
Model answer
Norman sources say he swore an oath on relics to support William's claim; English sources are silent, and whether he was a guest or a hostage is disputed.
3
How strong was William's hereditary claim?
Model answer
Weak. He was a first cousin once removed of Edward through Emma of Normandy, and had no descent from the English royal line.
4
Why did William believe he could win?
Model answer
Twenty years of successful warfare, a duchy pacified and enriched, control of Maine, and a network of allies among Bretons and Flemings willing to serve for reward.
5
What was the military strength of Normandy in 1066?
Model answer
A duchy organised for war, with a mounted aristocracy, experience in siege and campaign, and a duke able to command and reward it.
6
How did William secure papal support?
Model answer
By presenting Harold as a perjurer and the English church under Stigand as corrupt, which won him a papal banner and the appearance of a holy enterprise.

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The Crusades, c1095–1204

England, 1509–1603: Authority, Nation and Religion

Britain, 1625–1701: Conflict, Revolution and Settlement

Britain, c1785–c1870: Democracy, Protest and Reform

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