Here's a scenario:
Stamford Bridge results in a victory for the Norwegians, and Harold Godwinson falls in battle. Harald Hardrada emerges victorious from the battle, and subsequently occupies York before marching south.
Meanwhile, in London, the Witan has assembled to choose a new monarch following Harold's death. Initially, it is expected by most in England that they will chose Edgar Aetheling, yet instead the Witan offers the throne of England to William of Normandy (whose own invasion force has not yet set sail), on the condition that he crushes the Norwegian invasion in the North, and, upon securing control over his new Kingdoms, respects the rights and customs of the Anglo-Saxons.
William accepts, crosses over to England and advances North to meet Harald in battle. The two men, both claiming to be the true King of England, meet in battle, and the result is a victory for William and his forces. Harald is killed in the fighting, his armies enter a state of disarray, with many simply returning to Norway, and William is able to sweep up the rest of England.
Now William is King of England, as in OTL, yet with a crucial difference - he has the backing of the Anglo-Saxon populace, and cannot enforce Norman rule over England due to his prior agreement with the Witan. Therefore, the Anglo-Saxon lords (Edwin, Morcar, etc.) are still in place, the Witan will determine his successor to the throne, and it is likely in such a scenario that Anglo-Saxon culture (including Old English) will remain in place.
What would the impact of this be? How would William's reign unfold in such a scenario, and would the Witan chose one of William's sons to succeed him, or simply appoint a member of the House of Wessex to the throne (probably Edgar Aetheling)? How would knights and landless men in William's Norman Army react to these developments, having previously been promised land in England yet now receiving none?
Stamford Bridge results in a victory for the Norwegians, and Harold Godwinson falls in battle. Harald Hardrada emerges victorious from the battle, and subsequently occupies York before marching south.
Meanwhile, in London, the Witan has assembled to choose a new monarch following Harold's death. Initially, it is expected by most in England that they will chose Edgar Aetheling, yet instead the Witan offers the throne of England to William of Normandy (whose own invasion force has not yet set sail), on the condition that he crushes the Norwegian invasion in the North, and, upon securing control over his new Kingdoms, respects the rights and customs of the Anglo-Saxons.
William accepts, crosses over to England and advances North to meet Harald in battle. The two men, both claiming to be the true King of England, meet in battle, and the result is a victory for William and his forces. Harald is killed in the fighting, his armies enter a state of disarray, with many simply returning to Norway, and William is able to sweep up the rest of England.
Now William is King of England, as in OTL, yet with a crucial difference - he has the backing of the Anglo-Saxon populace, and cannot enforce Norman rule over England due to his prior agreement with the Witan. Therefore, the Anglo-Saxon lords (Edwin, Morcar, etc.) are still in place, the Witan will determine his successor to the throne, and it is likely in such a scenario that Anglo-Saxon culture (including Old English) will remain in place.
What would the impact of this be? How would William's reign unfold in such a scenario, and would the Witan chose one of William's sons to succeed him, or simply appoint a member of the House of Wessex to the throne (probably Edgar Aetheling)? How would knights and landless men in William's Norman Army react to these developments, having previously been promised land in England yet now receiving none?