The History Hub.

The Battle of Hastings was caused by a disagreement over just who the rightful heir to the English throne in 1066 was. Edward the Confessor had reigned for a long time in England, since he seized the throne in 1042 in fact, but throughout all that time he was not clear as to which man was going to succeed to the throne after his death. Two men claimed Edward had told them they would be the next king. These men were Harold Godwinson, a Saxon, and William of Normandy, a Norman. Harald Hardrada also claimed the throne, he was a feared Viking warrior. To find out the details of each claim so that you can make a decision as to who was the strongest claimant, press the button on the right.