Succession

Scotland was a separate kingdom, not simply another territory governed by the English king. Its succession crisis gave Edward I an opportunity to extend his authority northwards.

Before invading England in 1066, William had formally recognised Robert as his heir to Normandy, and Norman nobles had sworn allegiance to him. This secured the succession if William died during the invasion. Yet being the recognised heir did not make Robert the ruling duke while William remained alive.

The succession was not simply a matter of the eldest son automatically inheriting. According to Herodotus, Darius’ sons disputed who should succeed him, and Persian custom required Darius to name an heir before leaving on campaign.

Harold secured the support of the leading nobles and was crowned on 6 January 1066. His agreement to marry the sister of Edwin and Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, helped strengthen his political support. This shows that becoming king depended on alliances as well as arguments about rightful succession.

She drew a distinction between ordinary parliamentary business, such as trade and taxation, and matters belonging to the royal prerogative. She regarded her marriage, the succession, religion and foreign policy as matters for the Crown. MPs were not supposed to debate these without her permission.