William the Conqueror
threats of rebellion and invasion.
· King of England from 1066 to his death.
Upon the death of the childless Edward the Confessor, the English throne was fiercely
disputed by three claimants--William, Harold Godwinson, the powerful Earl of Wessex, and
the Viking King Harald III of Norway, known as Harald Hardraada.
Battles
· William decides to invade England
....because of the contest for the throne. William organized a council of war at Lillebonne and
openly began assembling an army in Normandy. Offering promises of English lands and
titles, he amassed at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme a considerable invasion force.
· Harold Hardraada invaded northern England.
Harold assembled a large army on the south coast and a fleet of ships to guard the English
Channel. Then came the news that the other contender for the throne, Harald III of Norway,
allied with Tostig Godwinson, had landed ten miles from York; Harold was forced to march
against them
annaabi.ee 
