Is it possible that both major claimants could have died on that October day?
If so what happens next?
If so what happens next?
This might very well prevent the norman conquest of England all together, I could imagine who ever descending from Harold would conquer Normandy in vengeance which could have all types of butterflies,
He actually had a claim on the throne through descent from a daughter of Ethelred the Unready.Eustace II of Boulogne (which is the one i think you're talking about) was one of Williams supporters, and had previously had a feud with the Godwins, but rebelled against William due to greed (preceived lack of proper payment for the support)
... its not unlikely that if William died at hastings that he would do as well ... and i doubt that he would have had enough manpower (either by direct control, or alliances) to conquer England, even if it was weak at the time ... he might make a play declaring a feud with the Godwins for the duchy of Kent, and might even get away with it, unless Edgar allies with the Godwins, in which case Edgar and Hwicce might even pile on.
@Bee ... would hardly call the kingdom of Denmark tenuous, Sweyn gained the throne in 1047 after a war with Magnus the good
Perhaps the true kings would return with all the pretenders dead (the Aethelings).