And the "rightful law in the land" when the Saxons invaded was what?

The Witan:
The Witan was the term used to describe the council summoned by AngloSaxon kings. These meetings of aldermen, thanes and bishops discussed royal grants of land, church matters, charters, taxation, customary law, defence and foreign policy. The succession of a new king had to be approved by the Witan.

The composition of the Witan was not set and the size of the assembly depended on what was being discussed and where it was held. For example, meetings were larger during religious festivals and when the king was resident in one of his palaces.

Sounds a bit of a "stacked deck" to me, the constitution of this "rightful law of the land" can be composed to deliver whatever result is required - True??

Harold Godwinson from the same powerful Saxon aristocractic family that had fought and schemed against Edward throughout his reign. As representative and head of the most powerful family in the land it is little wonder that the Witan (which on this occasion consisted of 60) voiced their support for Harold, whose hands were not exactly clean eh Sugarfoot:

"In 1063, Harold led an English army into Wales - an area that had never been overly respectful of English power. Reports from the time indicate that his army killed every adult Welsh male they came across. His campaign of terror left parts of Wales depopulated."

Perhaps the "rightful law of the land" in Wales approved, or perhaps it didn't. I tend to think that "the rightful law of anywhere" in those days depended proportionally on how strong your sword arm was and how many followers rode at your back.

That being the reality of life in the 11th century and according to recorded history on the 15th October 1066 at Hastings, Duke "A promise is a promise" William of Normandy he and his Army proved themselves to be "the rightful law of the land".