Page "William the Conqueror" Paragraph 31

In 1065 Northumbria revolted against Tostig, and the rebels chose Morcar, the younger brother of Edwin, Earl of Mercia, as earl in place of Tostig.

Harold, perhaps to secure the support of Edwin and Morcar in his bid for the throne, supported the rebels, and persuaded King Edward to replace Tostig with Morcar.

Tostig went into exile in Flanders, along with his wife Judith, who was the daughter of Count Baldwin IV of Flanders.

Edward was ailing, and died on 5 January 1066.

It is unclear what exactly happened at Edward's deathbed.

One story, deriving from the Vita Edwardi, a biography of Edward, claims that Edward was attended by his wife Edith, Harold, Archbishop Stigand, and Robert FitzWimarc, and that the king named Harold as his successor.

The Norman sources do not dispute the fact that Harold was named as the next king, but declare that Harold's oath and Edward's earlier promise of the throne could not be changed on Edward's deathbed.

Later English sources stated that Harold had been elected as king by the clergy and magnates of England.