Harold as king of England, as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. It is uncertain whether Edward intended Harold to become king in his own right, or regent for his 14 year old great nephew, Edgar. On his deathbed in 1066, Edward II offered his throne to his brother-in law, Harold. Yet, a year earlier, William had named his eldest son, Robert Curthose, as his heir, indicating that he did not expect the conquest of England to go unchallenged. The oath acknowledged William’s right to succeed Edward. In 1064, William extracted an oath of allegiance from Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, brother-in-law of Edward II, and another possible contender to the throne. In reality, a promise meant little – there were always several eligible contenders, and battles for succession determined who would come to rule. William had claims to the throne of England, which had been promised to him in 1051 by his childless cousin, King Edward II. William the Conqueror arriving in England, from a fifteenth century French manuscript.
