Strengths and weaknesses of Harold's position as King
- Created by: Alasdair
- Created on: 24-05-17 17:37
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- Strengths and weaknesses of Harold's position as King
- Coronation
- Possibly crowned by respected Archbishop of York, Aeldred
- Acclaimed by a Witan - support at coronation
- Suggestion he was crowned by corrupt Stigand (Archbishop of Canterbury) - this rumour was created by William I
- Experience
- Had around 14 years of experience as sub-regulus to Edward
- He knew how England functioned and gained increasing amounts of influence as Edward became more pious
- Had trained up to take on this role
- Strong warrior + leader
- Second eldest son of a great political family
- Almost acted as King under Edward
- Had no experience acting as King of a country unlike some candidates such as William (Duke of Duchy) and Harold Hardrada (King of Norway)
- Support
- Support of powerful elements in English society (nobles, Witan, churchmen)
- Acclaimed king by Witan
- Reputation as strong warrior won him support
- He gained support of Northumbrians by marrying Morcar and Edwin's sister
- Lacked support from North (Northumbria) - lots f decedents of Danes inhabited these areas
- Administration
- Minting of coins - 45 different places - money still died in London suggesting central government continued to function
- He was able to circulate a currency depicting him on it
- A risk of stubbornness in face of necessary change to administration of the country
- He didn't have to change anything as he used Edward's administration
- Navy
- Harold could actually protect his long coastline - he could prevent ships landing which would make defending England easier
- He used it to drive off Tostig
- At beginning of 1066, no fleet was ready
- No arrangements to keep people at sea
- Had to rely on requisitioning ships and forcing people to stay in the navy
- It was slow to build up a fleet due to lack of provisions and having to gather them
- Wasn't able to repel Harald or William
- Army
- Could raise as many men as his opponents
- Harold had shown capability as a military leader in Wales while serving under Edward - good tactician
- Harold was able to maintain force for 4 months (a notable achievement)
- He prioritised (shown by stationing troops on south-coast to wait for William)
- Had various sub-divisions that could be called upon to serve
- He was able to call an untrained army to 3 major battles
- Found it difficult to concentrate forces or keep large force in service for a long time
- Housecarls (most experienced) unavailable for instant service and too few to be used as independent force
- Suggestion Harold failed to adopt modern techniques (such as castles, using horses in battle, little consideration for archers)
- Suggestion he relied on infantry (obsolete in Europe)
- Peasant force and seamen only obliged to serve for two months
- Harold was forced to disband his fleet and much of his army to collect the harvest
- He split his forces
- Used embryonic feudal system - outdated techniques
- Coronation
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