ABSTRACT
The.leading.pretender.was.Harold.Godwinson,.the.second.most.powerful.man.in.England.and.an.advisor.to.Edward..Harold.and.Edward.became. brothers-in-law. when. the. king. married. Harold’s. sister.. Harold’s. powerful. position,.his.relationship.to.Edward,.and.his.esteem.among.his.peers.made. him.a.logical.successor.to.the.throne..His.claim.was.strengthened.when.the. dying.Edward.supposedly.uttered,.“Into.Harold’s.hands.I.commit.my.Kingdom.”.With.this.kingly.endorsement,. the.Witan.(the.council.of.royal.advisors).unanimously. selected. Harold.as.king..His. coronation. took.place. the. same. day. as. Edward’s. burial.. With. the. placing. of. the. crown. on. his. head,. Harold’s.troubles.began.
