jan 5, 1066 - Death of Edward the Confessor

Description:

King Edward the Confessor of England dies with no heir, sparking a four-way war over the throne of England. The claimants were: Edgar the Atheling, Edward's closest blood relative; Harold Godwinson, Edward's brother-in-law and a powerful noble who was preferred by the King's council and, he claimed, by Edward; William of Normandy, a distant cousin of Edward who claimed to have been promised the throne by both King Edward and Harold Godwinson; and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway and descendent of King Cnut of England. Edgar the Aetheling never took part in the war however.

Harold was chosen as king by the council and led armies north where he defeated Harald and his invading army of Norwegians, then led his troops south to fight William at Hastings, where he was defeated.

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