What if, instead of claiming the throne for himself, Harold Godwinson had chosen to throw in his lot behind Edgar the Atheling upon the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066. He sets himself up as the power behind the throne during the King's minority, thinking that he can control things from behind the scenes, as his father pretty much did in much of the Confessor's reign. And, if Edgar should prove too unmanageable once he reaches adulthood, he can have him assassinated...like his father most likely did to the Atheling's father, Edward the Exile...and take over directly at a later time.
How does this affect the events of 1066? Will the Pope, for example, still give a banner to William the Bastard of Normandy, since Harold is not claiming the throne for himself, but supporting the legitimate heir of the House of Cerdic? Will Harald Hardrada still invade? I assume William the Bastard will still make an attempt...will the Saxon nobles be more forthcoming with support for Edgar's cause than they were for Harold's?
How does this affect the events of 1066? Will the Pope, for example, still give a banner to William the Bastard of Normandy, since Harold is not claiming the throne for himself, but supporting the legitimate heir of the House of Cerdic? Will Harald Hardrada still invade? I assume William the Bastard will still make an attempt...will the Saxon nobles be more forthcoming with support for Edgar's cause than they were for Harold's?