Harold Godwinson

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.

Harold Godwinson
King of England (more...)
King of England
Reign	5 January — 14 October 1066
Coronation	6 January 1066
Predecessor	Edward the Confessor
Successor	Edgar the Ætheling or William the Conqueror
Born	Circa 1022 Wessex, England
Died	(1066-10-14)14 October 1066 (aged about 44) Battle of Hastings, Sussex
Burial	Waltham Abbey, Essex, or Bosham (disputed)
Spouse	Edith Swanneck Edith of Mercia
Full name Harold Godwinson
House	House of Godwin
Father	Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Mother	Gytha 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

Career

Harold was the son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and Gytha, a Danish noblewoman.^[1] His sister, Edith, was married to the king he succeeded, Edward the Confessor.^[2] About that same time, Harold became the Earl of East Anglia.^[3] When his father died in 1053, Harold inherited his earldom of Wessex.^[3]

Elfgar, the son of Leofric of Mercia, was appointed to replace Harold in East Anglia. Berkshire and Somerset were joined to Wessex again.^[3] 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,^[4] Swegen^[5] and Gryth.^[6] 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.^[7]

In September 1066, Harold defeated an invasion from the north by Harald Hardrada of Norway.^[6] Harold returned south to fight William's invasion^[7] but was killed, it is generally assumed, by an arrow shot by one of William's archers. However, some reports stated that he was cut down by many soldiers.^[8]