It's also worth noting that at the time in question, the English monarchy was notionally elective, so that the earls voted for the king they wanted. It was traditional to vote for whichever of the dead king's relatives he'd asked you to, but not compulsory. Harold Godwinsson was indeed elected king, having been one of at least two people nominated by Edward at various times. Harald Hardradi of Norway also felt he had a good claim. It's difficult to say why Edward III of Saxon England was canonised as 'the Confessor', since he was one of the main causes of a totally needless civil war and decades, even centuries, of near-apartheid in England.