...is how William of Malmesbury described the events of October 14, 1066.

The realm ruled by "The Confessor" was a civilized land with effective government and administration, laws, currency, means of communication...A thriving literature and its own distinctive art. And it was, in the main, peaceful.

What astonishes me is that not only the sound stewarship of Harold, both as Edward's right-hand man and as short-lived king is largely erased from the record, but that - as is still taught in schools - the list (and numbering) of monarchs begins with William!!

By the way, the crown was not Edward's to give - to William or anybody else. At death he "nominated" Harold, that is, he expressed a preference. By custom, the council of nobles elected the next king, from among men of royal blood if there was one suitable, or the next best. There was a nephew, not very promising despite his royal blood, so Harold was chosen instead for his proven competence for the role.

So all that "usurper" business is nonsense. And nobody knows for sure why Harold went to the continent in 1064. It wasn't the first time and, in any case, what both Guy de Ponthieu and William did was essentially to kidnap him. The rest is Norman propaganda.