Harold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson
King of England (more...)
King of England
Reign5 January — 14 October 1066
Coronation6 January 1066
PredecessorEdward the Confessor
SuccessorEdgar the Ætheling or William the Conqueror
BornCirca 1022
Wessex, England
Died(1066-10-14)14 October 1066 (aged about 44)
Battle of Hastings, Sussex
Burial
Waltham Abbey, Essex, or Bosham (disputed)
SpouseEdith Swanneck
Edith of Mercia
Names
Harold Godwinson
HouseHouse of Godwin
FatherGodwin, Earl of Wessex
MotherGytha Thorkelsdóttir
HAROLD SACRAMENTUM FECIT VVILLELMO DUCI ("Harold made an oath to Duke William"). Bayeux Tapestry: This scene is said to have taken place at Bagia (Bayeux, probably in Bayeux Cathedral). It shows Harold touching two altars with the enthroned Duke looking on, and is central to the Norman Invasion of England

Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066) ruled England as King Harold II of England after King Edward the Confessor died. Harold ruled from 5 January 1066 until he was killed at the Battle of Hastings. His death marked the Norman conquest of England and the end of Anglo-Saxon England.

Career

Harold was the son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and Gytha, a Danish noblewoman. His sister, Edith, was married to the king whom he succeeded, Edward the Confessor. About the same time, Harold became the Earl of East Anglia. When his father died in 1053, Harold inherited his earldom of Wessex.

Elfgar, the son of Leofric of Mercia, was appointed to replace Harold in East Anglia. Berkshire and Somerset were joined to Wessex again. Wessex itself was then an enormous amount of land that covered about a third of England. Harold ruled over a large portion of England, making him the most powerful man in the whole kingdom after the king.

Harold had three brothers: Tostig, Swegen and Gryth. He claimed to have been made King by Edward the Confessor. Before Harold became king, he swore to help William, Duke of Normandy, to become king.

In September 1066, Harold defeated an invasion from the north by Harald Hardrada of Norway. Harold returned south to fight William's invasion but was killed. It is generally assumed that it was by an arrow shot by one of William's archers. However, some reports stated that he was cut down by many soldiers.

References

  1. ↑ Orderic Vitalis, The Ecclesiastical History of Orderic Vitalis, Volume II, Books III And IV, ed. Marjorie Chibnall (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1993), p. 216
  2. ↑ The Chronicle of Florence of Worcester; With the Two Continuations, trans. Thomas Forester (London: Henry G. Bohn; New York: AMS Press, 1854), pp. 150-52
  3. 1 2 3 Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 561–569
  4. ↑ "Tostig Godwinson, brother of King Harold II". www.englishmonarchs.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  5. ↑ Medievalists.net (2021-08-01). "The man who should have lost the Battle of Hastings: The Saga of Swegen Godwinson". Medievalists.net. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  6. 1 2 "HAROLD". geoffboxell.tripod.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.[permanent dead link]
  7. 1 2 "Harold Godwinson's succession as King of England - Edward's death and claimants to the throne - Edexcel - GCSE History Revision - Edexcel". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  8. ↑ "Shot through the eye and who's to blame? | History Today". www.historytoday.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.