What happened during the Norman Conquest (1066) and why did it occur? (AQA Topic)

First, I would outline the political causes of the Norman Conquest; that Edward the Confessor died with no direct male heir and so multiple claimants arose to contest the succession. These included the greatest magnate, or 'Great Lord', in England Harold Godwinson who claimed he was promised the crown by Edward before he died. Harold was crowned directly following Edward's death. Meanwhile in Normandy, William also felt he had a claim to the throne because Edward had supposedly promised him the crown some years before. A third claimant was Harald Hardrada, King of Norway who also felt he had a righteous claim to the throne of English. Then I would explain some of the events of 1066, leading up to the Battle of Hastings most of which are illustrated on the Bayeux Tapestry (actually an embroidery) and why they matter. First, as a result of these multiple claims competing with his own, Harold Godwinson had to defend England from two invasions in 1066, one against Harald Hardrada in the North, which was successfully defeated at Stamford Bridge. The second was led by William of Normandy who landed at Pevensey. Harold marched his exhausted army south to meet William's invasion near Hastings, the following battle shares its name. Harold was killed in the clash, in unknown circumstances, bringing to an end Anglo-Saxon rule in England and beginning the Norman Dynasty marked with William's coronation as king on Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey.