Edward's return and coming to throne
- Created by: Alasdair
- Created on: 20-05-17 13:02
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- The Aetheling Returns
- Edward returns to England - invited by Harthacnut
- Edward (half-brother of Harthacnut) was invited to return to England. There are several possible reasons for this:
- Brotherly love
- Arrangement made by William of Normandy
- Harthacnut was dying so wanted to be reconciled with Edward
- Rapprochement with his mother Emma
- Most likely reason was Edward was needed to appease English who had been angered by Harthacnut's demands for 'heregeld' and his ravaging of Worcestershire
- Edward was seemingly designated as heir to Harthacnut which was common practice in most of Western Europe in order to prevent conflict upon death of monarch
- Edward (half-brother of Harthacnut) was invited to return to England. There are several possible reasons for this:
- Harthacnut dies and Edward becomes King
- Harthacnut dies suddenly, probably of stroke or heart attack
- 8th June 1042, Lambeth
- With his death male line of Danish Royal House of Cnut came to end
- Harthacnut's succession in both England and Denmark became open to question
- In Denmark, choice lay between Harold, son of Thorkell the Tall, and Swein Estrithson
- Before King of Denmark and possibly England could be appointed, Magnus of Norway invaded Denmark
- Harold murdered in 1043 and Swein Estrithson led war of independence against Magnus
- Sources differ on how Edward came to be King
- Vita Edwardi (tries to enhance role of Earl Godwin) states Godwin took lead in urging Witan to free England from Danish rule and send for Edward
- The Chronicle states Edward was 'received as a king as was his natural right'
- Florence of Worcester states this was 'chiefly by the exertions of Earl Godwin and Lyfing Bishop of Worcester'
- Peterborough Chronicle says 'all the people chose Edward as king in London, may he hold it as long as God grants it to him'
- Edward was acceptable to English as he was descendant of Cerdic, progenitor of West Saxon monarchy , and of Rollo of Normandy the Viking.
- Therefore he was acceptable to both English and Danish elite.
- He swore to maintain laws of Cnut.
- Coronation followed year later at Winchester
- Second most important place in England as it was where most of monarchy were buried at one time including Cnut
- 3rd April 1043
- Harthacnut dies suddenly, probably of stroke or heart attack
- Edward's supporters and gifts
- According to chronicles Edward's main supporters were Earl Godwin, Bishop Lyfing of Worcester and Bishop Aelfwine of Winchester
- Leofric (Earl of Mercia) and Siward (Earl of Northumbria, who wanted to be left alone) both also supported Edward's claim and remained loyal until their deaths.
- To ensure Edward's favour Godwin presented Edward with fully equiped warship, similar to that which he had given to King Harthacnut.
- Edward almost immediately seized all of his mother, Emma's, land and all of her gold and silver 'because she had kept it from him too firmly'.
- Worcester account states this action took place following meeting of Witan and he was accompanied by members of genge (war bane) and those of three earls, Leofric, Godwin and Siward.
- It is likely Emma had hr own bodyguard of Housecarls as she was likely in possession of royal hoard.
- Her presence as witness at future charters suggests she later regained some land and influence before her death on 6th March 1052.
- Edward returns to England - invited by Harthacnut
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