How convincing is Interpretation A about what happened after the death of Edward the Confessor? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 1 - 2022 - Paper 1

To evaluate how convincing Interpretation A is, we need to consider both the content of Interpretation A and relevant historical context.

Firstly, Interpretation A suggests that the Witan, a council of nobles and leading churchmen, tried to follow the wishes of Edward the Confessor. This is plausible; historically, the Witan would have had to make significant decisions about the succession, reflecting Edward's commitments and the political landscape of the time.

However, the interpretation also notes that there were competing claims to the throne, particularly from Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy. This highlights the uncertainty and division caused by Edward's death, underlining the complexity of the situation.

From contextual knowledge, it is important to remember that the chaos following Edward's death was marked by Harold's swift coronation, which indicates that the Witan's guidance may not have played a strong role in stabilizing the situation. According to historical records, Edward did express a preference for Harold, but this did not prevent disputes from arising.

In summary, while Interpretation A offers valid insights into the actions of the Witan, it may oversimplify the dynamics at play. The historical context indicates that the political environment was more tumultuous than the interpretation suggests. Thus, while there are convincing elements in Interpretation A, its overall assessment requires a more nuanced understanding of the events following Edward's death.