On his deathbed, King Edward, who had no children, recommended Harold,
Earl of Wessex, as his successor (S65). But the Normans in France
declared Edward had promised that his cousin William, Duke of Normandy
(S65), should reign after him. The Witan, or National Council of
England (S81), chose Harold. That settled the question, for the
Council alone had the right to decide who should rule over the English
people. Harold was soon afterward crowned (January 16, 1066).