Robert of Jumieges Essays

Robert of Jumieges Essays Robert of Jumieges Essay Robert of Jumieges Essay Another relevant reason as to why the crises of 1051 and 1052 were significant was because it showed the true authority and capabilities the earls had and the weakness and incapabilitys of the King. Edward knew that he would only ever be King in name unless he could destroy Godwins authority. McLynn quotes, If he did not take a stand against Godwin and his contumacious family he would be reduced to the status of figurehead King or cipher. The crises of 1051-52 merely clarified this fact that the King just did not have the power to make any grand scale decisions. Everything was decided either in advance for the King or on the spot for him. He was forced into marrying Godwins daughter Edith for example. Now what possible reason could there be to suggest that Edward actually wanted to wed Edith. Apart from the fact that she was much younger than he was she just happened to be a daughter of the man he hated most who just wanted some Godwin blood on the throne. Another example would be the incident of Eustace of Bologne where he couldnt even force an earl to punish his own men; he was taken to trial. So it was clearly obvious that these events of 1051 and 52 showed just how much authority Edward didnt have in terms of decision making. But it was not only in his decision-making that Edward lacked the power needed but also in terms of his strength on the battlefield. In preparation for his first battle with Godwin Edward tried desperately to get the remaining two earls Leofric and Siward to support him. Leofric was particularly reluctant to help out but in the end the end decided on doing so. This then resulted in Godwin having to accept defeat and being exiled from the country. However when Godwin returned for part two of the battle the earls basically refused bluntly to help Edward in any way shape or form. Without the assistance of the earls Edward was defenceless and weak. He therefore had to accept Godwins terms and let his most hated enemy run his country. It is therefore obvious that the King had no control over his own actions unless he had the support of at least one earl. A significant long-term effect of the crises of 1051-52 was also the beginning of the Godwins dominance on the country. With Godwin now virtually running the nation he could put anyone wherever and whenever he wanted. Harold Godwinson then succeeded Godwin on to the earl of Wessex when he died and also became he head of his large and popular family. As earl Harold could use his assets to help him perform his duties for the king more effectively. Then on the 6th of January 1066 Godwins life long dream was established when his son, a man of pure Godwin blood, was crowned king of England. One son was King another an earl. The Godwin reign had begun. Godwin was a true family man and the events during 1051-52 express this. This theory was particularly apparent when he forced Edward into marrying his daughter in the chance that they would have a son of Godwin blood who would be heir to the throne. Unfortunately for Godwin this did not work out for a number of different reasons. Godwin also showed his dedication to having his family stay as one in England so when he was gone they could be a formidable force, when he desperately pleaded with King Edward for his eldest son Swein to be forgiven and be able to return. Surely committing a sin as hostile as he did any other father would disown him however this was never the case for Godwin. He eventually did get his way and Swein was allowed to return only for him to unexpectedly die on a pilgrimage seeking penance from God. Harold was also Earl of East Anglia for eight years whilst the confrontations between Edward and Godwin had gone on. So for the Godwins they would have felt they gained an extremely vast mount out of the crises of 1051 and 52. Looking back on the Crises of 1051 and 1052 Historians will probably feel that the most significant result was the confusion and controversy over the successor to Edwards throne. There would never have been any confusion or arguments over this only if Edwards wife had given birth to a son. Of course this was not to happen for a number of reasons, possibly he was too religious, or maybe he did not want any grandson of Godwin being heir to the throne. However either way a son of Edward just was not to be. Therefore when Edward did eventually die there was a number of people who lied claim to he throne. A major contender at the time, however the more historians look back on it the more it seems unlikely was William. This claim was apparently true on a number of accounts. There were two main suggestions as to why William could possibly have become Williams successor to the throne. The first, rather unbelievable but at the same time still a suggestion, was that William visited Edward in 1051 and was apparently promised the throne there and then. The second, a little more believable, was that Edward sent Robert of Jumieges to promise the throne and as a sign that this offer was authentic to also give Godwins hostages Wulfnoth (son) and Hakon (Grandson). This supposedly took place in 1051 and was supposedly agreed by both Edward and Stigand (the in between man who was trusted by both Edward and Godwin). This theory therefore has a perfectly legitimate claim. However why would Edward choose William? The Normans came up with three reasons. One They were very distant relations and therefore someone of the same blood. Two It was an almost thank you gesture for helping him out in 1043 when he had fled to Normandy. And finally because Edward apparently felt William was the best man for the job (taking into consideration that he was only fourteen at the time). It was also claimed that Edward was desperate to keep some Norman influence in England. There maybe quite a bit of evidence backing up Williams claim, however the evidence to say it was a false claim is undoubtedly more reliable and realistic. For example there were many others with much better claims to the throne (Earl Ralph, Edward Aething etc. ). Edward also had no great love of Normandy. He was never treated well there nor was he ever welcomed there. McLynn writes A vague promise was made but it was not genuine. On the other hand Barlow writes in his book Edward had already promised the throne to Swein Estrithson. He just used the nomination as a diplomatic card. The more realistic and probably true having known the type of character Robert of Jumieges was is written by Walker and it basically says that the promise was made by Jumieges when escaping after 1052. He had hostages with him and made the offer out of spite for Godwin and because he wanted William to re-instate him. In conclusion I feel that the period in history which was the crises of 1051-52 were a significant time for the Countrys history. The two years contained controversy, countless squabbles, treason, backstabbing and violence. The main consequences of the crises were, a long exhausting and humiliating defeat for Edward, a huge gain for Godwin who laid the foundations for the next generation and a lot of controversy caused mainly by a certain individual known as Robert of Jumieges.