After Harold died at Hastings the Whitan elected Edgar Ætheling as king he was a close relative of Edward the Confessor and had a solid claim. He sat on his hands instead of raising the Fyrd from areas not touched by Harold on his way to Hastings.
Edwin Earl of Mercia and Morcar Earl of Northumbria both promised support and men and then chickened out. Edgar ended up submitting to William as did Edwin and Morcar only for all three to rebel later.
If they had got a grip earlier and marched on William’s camp history would have taken a distinct and interesting turn, no Norman England no Plantagenets no endless wars with France.
What might have been if they had moved when they should have.
Yeoman1877 on
It is indeed an interesting suggestion. However Harold arrived in York before Hardrada and Tostig were aware of his presence. Of course not impossible if he landed elsewhere, presumably to the south and then marched to York. However if he had arrived by sea and landed nearby then surely his enemies would have had greater warning if his approach.
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After Harold died at Hastings the Whitan elected Edgar Ætheling as king he was a close relative of Edward the Confessor and had a solid claim. He sat on his hands instead of raising the Fyrd from areas not touched by Harold on his way to Hastings.
Edwin Earl of Mercia and Morcar Earl of Northumbria both promised support and men and then chickened out. Edgar ended up submitting to William as did Edwin and Morcar only for all three to rebel later.
If they had got a grip earlier and marched on William’s camp history would have taken a distinct and interesting turn, no Norman England no Plantagenets no endless wars with France.
What might have been if they had moved when they should have.
It is indeed an interesting suggestion. However Harold arrived in York before Hardrada and Tostig were aware of his presence. Of course not impossible if he landed elsewhere, presumably to the south and then marched to York. However if he had arrived by sea and landed nearby then surely his enemies would have had greater warning if his approach.