Potential Opportunities:
* Claim to the Throne: Edgar was the closest male relative of the late King Edward the Confessor, making him the rightful heir according to English custom. This gave him a strong claim to the throne, especially with the support of the powerful Earl Edwin and Earl Morcar.
* Popularity: While he lacked experience, Edgar was a young man with a noble lineage. He held the title of "Ætheling", signifying his royal status and giving him a degree of popular support.
* Foreign Alliances: Edgar had spent time in exile in Hungary and Scotland, forging potential alliances with foreign rulers who could offer him military assistance.
* Support of the English Nobility: Many English nobles, particularly those who resented Norman influence, were willing to support Edgar. This included powerful figures like the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria.
Constraints:
* Lack of Experience: Edgar was only around 16 years old in 1066. He lacked the experience and political acumen necessary to manage a kingdom in a time of crisis.
* Weak Leadership: Edgar's supporters were divided and lacked the necessary unity to mount an effective challenge against William the Conqueror.
* Norman Power: William had a formidable army and a claim to the throne based on Edward's promise and his own military might. He was a skilled and ruthless leader, and his victory at Hastings solidified his power.
* Foreign Alliances: While Edgar had some foreign alliances, these were largely untested and ultimately proved inadequate.
* Uncertain Support: While some English nobles supported Edgar, many were hesitant to fight against a powerful invader like William.
Outcome:
Despite his potential claim and some support, Edgar's opportunities were ultimately limited by his youth, the strength of William's forces, and the lack of a unified English resistance. Edgar's lack of leadership and the Norman victory at Hastings resulted in his fleeing England. He would spend the rest of his life in exile, never to regain the throne.
Therefore, while Edgar the Ætheling had a potential claim to the throne and enjoyed some popular support, his lack of experience, the Norman invasion, and the divisions within English ranks ultimately negated his opportunities to become King of England.