Harold Godwinson
King of England (more...)
Reign	5 January — 14 October 1066
Coronation	6 January 1066
Predecessor	Edward the Confessor
Successor	Edgar Ætheling
Spouse	Ealdgyth Swan-neck
Issue
Godwin Edmund Magnus Gunhild Gytha Harold Ulf
Full name
Harold Godwinson
Royal house	House of Godwin
Father	Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Mother	Gytha Thorkelsdóttir
Born	Circa 1022 Wessex, England
Died	14 October 1066 Battle of Hastings, East Sussex
Burial	Waltham Abbey, Waltham Abbey, England

Harold Godwinson, (c. The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally The precise style of British Sovereigns has varied over the years Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last Edgar ( the) Ætheling, also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c 1051&ndashc Ealdgyth Swan-neck, also known as Edith the Fair, Edith Aldgyth and most commonly Edith Swan-Neck {1025-1086(?} is best known as the mistress or common-law wife Gytha of Wessex was one of several daughters of Ealdgyth Swan-neck by Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. A royal house or royal dynasty is a familial designation or Family name of sorts used by Royalty. Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine Goodwin Godwyn or Goodwyn (c Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine Goodwin Godwyn or Goodwyn (c Gytha Torkelsdotter (also called Githa was the daughter of Torkel Styrbjörnsson (also called Thorkill Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about" West Saxon redirects here For other meanings of Wessex or West Saxon see Wessex (disambiguation. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces The Battle of Hastings was the decisive Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the Waltham Abbey is an Abbey church, first consecrated in 1060, in the town of Waltham Abbey Essex, England History Waltham Abbey is a Market Town of about 20400 people in the south west of the county of Essex, in the East of England region England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland 1022 – October 14, 1066) also known as Harold II, is widely regarded as the last Anglo-Saxon King of England before the Norman Conquest. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally ^[1] Harold reigned from January 5 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October of that same year, fighting the Norman invaders, led by William the Conqueror. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. The Battle of Hastings was the decisive Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages

Contents 1 Past 2 Powerful nobleman 3 Marriages and children 4 Reign as king 5 Legacy and legend 6 See also 7 References 8 Bibliography 9 External links 10 Literature

Past

Harold's father was Godwin, the powerful Earl of Wessex believed to be a son of Wulfnoth Cild. Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine Goodwin Godwyn or Goodwyn (c The title Earl of Wessex has been created twice in British history once in the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon nobility of England and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Wulfnoth Cild (died 1015 is thought to have been the father of Godwin Earl of Wessex and thus the grandfather of King Harold Godwinson.

Godwin married twice, both times to Danish women of high rank. His first wife was the Danish princess Thyra Sveinsdóttir, one of the daughters of Sweyn I of Denmark and Norway. Sweyn I Forkbeard, in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, in English Sven the Dane, also known as Swegen and Tuck, ( Old Norse Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional His second wife was Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, whose brother or cousin Ulf Jarl was the son-in-law of Sweyn I and the father of Sweyn II of Denmark. Gytha Torkelsdotter (also called Githa was the daughter of Torkel Styrbjörnsson (also called Thorkill Ulf Jarl ( jarl is a title corresponding to English Earl) belonged to a prominent Swedish family since he was the son of Thorgils Sprakalägg Sweyn II Estridsson Ulfsson (c 1019 &ndash April 28, 1074 or 1076 was the King of Denmark from 1047 until his death Gytha and Ulf were allegedly grandchildren to the legendary Swedish Viking Styrbjörn the Strong (a disinherited prince of Sweden) and great-grandchildren to Harold Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Styrbjörn the Strong ( Styrbjörn Sterki) or Styrbjörn the Swedish Champion ( Styrbjörn svía kappi) (died c Harald Bluetooth Gormson (Harald Blåtand Haraldr blátönn, Harald Blåtann was born around 935 the son of King Gorm the Old and of Thyra (also This second marriage resulted in the birth of several children, notably two sons, Harold and Tostig Godwinson, and a daughter, Edith of Wessex (1020–75), who became the Queen consort of Edward the Confessor. Tostig Godwinson (1026? &ndash September 25, 1066) was an Anglo-Saxon Earl of Northumbria and brother of King Harold II of England Edith of Wessex, (c 1029 &ndash December 19 1075) married King Edward the Confessor of England in 1045 A queen consort is the title given to the wife of a reigning king. King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last

Powerful nobleman

When Godwin died in 1053, his son Harold took over. It was he, rather than Edward, who subjugated Wales in 1063 and negotiated with the rebellious Northumbrians in 1065. Consequently, shortly before his death, Edward named Harold as his successor even though he may already have promised the crown to a distant cousin, William, Duke of Normandy. He died on 4 January 1066 and was buried in the Abbey he had constructed at Westminster. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina.

As a result of his sister's marriage to the king, Godwin's second son Harold was made Earl of East Anglia in 1045. The Earls of East Anglia were rulers of the former Kingdom of East Anglia between the 10th and 12th centuries Harold accompanied Godwin into exile in 1051, but helped him to regain his position a year later. When Godwin died in 1053, Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex (a province at that time covering the southernmost third of England). West Saxon redirects here For other meanings of Wessex or West Saxon see Wessex (disambiguation. This made him arguably the most powerful figure in England after the king.

In 1058 Harold also became Earl of Hereford, and replaced his late father as the focus of opposition to growing Norman influence in England under the restored English monarchy (1042–66) of Edward the Confessor, who had spent more than a quarter of a century in exile in Normandy. Hereford ( ˈhɛrɨfəd is a city, Civil parish and County town of Herefordshire, England. Normandy (Normandie Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last

He gained glory in a series of campaigns (1062–63) against the ruler of Gwynedd, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, who had conquered all of Wales; this conflict ended with Gruffydd's defeat and death (at the hands of his own troops) in 1063. Gwynedd (pr) is one of several Welsh Successor states that emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain. See also Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fawr Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c 1007 &ndash August 5, 1063) was the ruler of all Wales

In 1064, Harold was apparently shipwrecked in Ponthieu. Ponthieu is a former province of northern France. Its chief town is Abbeville. There is much speculation about the reason for this, with Norman sources saying that his journey was to give William King Edward's offer of the throne. One explanation was that Harold was seeking the release of members of his family who had been held hostage since Godwin's exile in 1051. Another is that he was on his way for a meeting with allies. According to the Norman version, his vessel was blown off course, and he was held hostage by Count Guy I of Ponthieu. Guy I of Ponthieu (died 13 October 1100) was born sometime in the mid to late 1020s Duke William arrived soon after and ordered Guy to turn Harold over to him. The source of much of this information can be found in the writings of William of Poitiers, whose veracity has been called into question. For the child of Henry II of England, see William Count of Poitiers.

Harold then accompanied William to battle against William's enemy, Conan II, Duke of Brittany. Conan II of Rennes (b c 1033 died December 11, 1066) was Duke of Brittany, from 1040 to his death While crossing into Brittany past the fortified abbey of Mont St Michel, Harold rescued two of William's soldiers from the quicksand. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into Mont Saint-Michel ( English: St Michael's Mount) is a rocky Tidal island in Normandy, France. Quicksand is a Colloid Hydrogel consisting of fine Granular matter (such as Sand or Silt) Clay, and They pursued Conan from Dol de Bretagne, then to Rennes, and finally to Dinan, where he surrendered the fortress's keys on the point of a lance. Dol-de-Bretagne (Dol Gallo: Dóu) is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Bretagne in northwestern Rennes ( Gallo: Resnn, Roazhon Condate Condate Riedonum is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern Dinan (Dinan Gallo: Dinan) is a walled Breton town and a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in northwestern William presented Harold with weapons and arms, knighting him. The Bayeux Tapestry, and other Norman sources, then record that Harold swore an oath on sacred relics to William to support his claim to the English throne.

By this time, William considered himself to be the successor of the childless Edward the Confessor, but the only sources we have for this are Norman ones from after the conquest, as the contemporary English sources such as the Anglo Saxon Chronicle are silent on the matter, referring to Edward's grand-nephew, Edgar, son of Edward the Exile, as Ætheling, or princely heir. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of Annals in Old English chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxons. Edgar ( the) Ætheling, also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c 1051&ndashc Edward the Exile (1016&ndashFebruary 1057 also called Edward Ætheling, son of King Edmund Ironside and of Ealdgyth gained the name of "Exile" It is unlikely that King Edward had ever made such as an offer, especially after the efforts of Harold to get the return of Edward the Exile, son of Edmund Ironside from Hungary, in 1057. Edward the Exile (1016&ndashFebruary 1057 also called Edward Ætheling, son of King Edmund Ironside and of Ealdgyth gained the name of "Exile" Edmund Ironside or Eadmund (c 988/993 – 30 November 1016 surnamed " Ironside " for his efforts to fend off the Danish invasion During his supposed captivity, William of Poitiers claims that William obtained from Harold an oath to support William as the future king of England. After Harold's death, the Normans were quick to point out that in accepting the crown of England, Harold had perjured himself of this oath.

The chronicler Orderic Vitalis wrote: "This Englishman was very tall and handsome, remarkable for his physical strength, his courage and eloquence, his ready jests and acts of valour. Orderic Vitalis (1075&ndashc 1142 was an English chronicler who wrote one of the great contemporary Chronicles of 11th and 12th century Normandy and But what were these gifts to him without honour, which is the root of all good?".

In 1065 Harold supported Northumbrian rebels against his brother Tostig, due to unjust taxation instituted by Tostig, and replaced him with Morcar. Tostig Godwinson (1026? &ndash September 25, 1066) was an Anglo-Saxon Earl of Northumbria and brother of King Harold II of England Morcar (or Morkere) (d 1087 was the son of Ælfgār (earl of Mercia) and brother of Ēadwine. This strengthened his acceptability as Edward's successor, but fatally divided his own family, driving Tostig into alliance with King Harald Hardrada ("Hard Reign") of Norway. Harald Sigurdsson (1015 &ndash September 25, 1066) later given the epithet Hardraada ( Old Norse: Haraldr harðráði, roughly translated Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional

Marriages and children

For some twenty years Harold was married More danico (in the Danish manner) to Ealdgyth Swan-neck (also known as Edith Swanneschals or Edith Swanneck) and had at least six children by her. The phrase more danico is a Mediaeval Latin legalistic expression which may be translated as "in the Danish manner" or "by Norse Customary Ealdgyth Swan-neck, also known as Edith the Fair, Edith Aldgyth and most commonly Edith Swan-Neck {1025-1086(?} is best known as the mistress or common-law wife The marriage was widely accepted by the laity, although Edith was considered Harold's mistress by the clergy. Their children were not treated as illegitimate. Among them was a daughter Gytha, later wife of the Russian prince Vladimir Monomachus, or Vladimir Monomakh. Gytha of Wessex was one of several daughters of Ealdgyth Swan-neck by Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. For the cruiser see Russian armoured cruiser Vladimir Monomakh, for the submarine see RFS Vladimir Monomakh Vladimir II Monomakh Through descendants of this Anglo-Russian marriage, Harold is thus the ancestor of later English kings.

About January 1066, Harold married Edith (or Ealdgȳð), daughter of Ælfgār, Earl of Mercia, and widow of the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. Ælfgar (c1030-1062 was son of Leofric Earl of Mercia, possibly by his well-known wife Godgifu ( Lady Godiva) although more probably by an earlier marriage See also Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fawr Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c 1007 &ndash August 5, 1063) was the ruler of all Wales Edith had two sons — possibly twins — named Harold and Ulf (born circa November 1066), both of whom survived into adulthood and probably ended their lives in exile. Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about"

After her husband's death, the queen is said to have fled for refuge to her brothers Edwin, Earl of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria but both men made their peace with the Conqueror initially before rebelling and losing their lands and lives. Edwin (died 1071 Old English: Ēadwine) was the elder brother of Morcar Earl of Northumbria, son of Ælfgār Earl of Mercia and grandson Morcar (or Morkere) (d 1087 was the son of Ælfgār (earl of Mercia) and brother of Ēadwine. Aldith may have fled abroad (possibly with Harold's mother, Gytha, or with Harold's daughter, Gytha).

Reign as king

When Edward the Confessor died in 1066, his great nephew and heir Edgar Ætheling was widely regarded as too young to become King. King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last Edgar ( the) Ætheling, also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c 1051&ndashc Edward the Confessor pointed towards Harold Godwinson, as he lay at his deathbed. This sign was taken, by the other present noblemen, to mean that Edward chose Harold as his successor, though some say it was merely a curse. On January 5, 1066, the Witenagemot (the assembly of the kingdom's leading notables) approved him for coronation, which took place the following day. Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. The Witenagemot or the Witena gemot (ˈwɪtənəgɪˌməʊt also known as the Witan (more properly the title of its members was a political institution in It was the first coronation in Westminster Abbey. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church Although later Norman sources point to the suddenness of this coronation, it is possible that it took place whilst all the nobles of the land were present at Westminster for the feast of Epiphany and not because of any usurpation of the throne on Harold's part.

England was then invaded by both Harald Hardrada of Norway and William, Duke of Normandy, both of whom claimed the English crown. Harald Sigurdsson (1015 &ndash September 25, 1066) later given the epithet Hardraada ( Old Norse: Haraldr harðráði, roughly translated William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages Duke of Normandy is a Title held or claimed by various Norman, French, English and British rulers from the 10th century until the William claimed that he had been promised the English crown by Edward, and that Harold had sworn to support his claim after having been shipwrecked in Ponthieu. Ponthieu is a former province of northern France. Its chief town is Abbeville. Harald Hardrada formed an alliance with Harold's rebellious brother Tostig.

Invading what is now Yorkshire in September 1066, Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeated the English earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria at the Battle of Fulford near York on (September 20). Yorkshire is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in Great Britain. Edwin (died 1071 Old English: Ēadwine) was the elder brother of Morcar Earl of Northumbria, son of Ælfgār Earl of Mercia and grandson Mercia (ˈmɝsiə was one of the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. The Battle of Fulford took place at the village of Fulford, near York in England on September 20 1066, when King Harald York ( is an historic Walled city sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. They were in turn defeated and slain by Harold's army five days later at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 25), Harold having led his army north on a forced march from London in four days and caught them by surprise. The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place at the village of Stamford Bridge East Riding of Yorkshire in England on 25 September 1066 shortly after an invading Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France According to Snorri Sturluson, before the battle a man bravely rode up to Harald Hardrada and Tostig and offered Tostig his earldom if he would but turn on Harald Hardrada. Snorri Sturluson (1178 – September 23, 1241) was an Icelandic historian poet and politician When Tostig asked what his brother Harold would be willing to give Harald Hardrada for his trouble, the rider replied that he would be given seven feet of ground as he was taller than other men. Harald Hardrada was impressed with the rider and asked Tostig his name, Tostig replied that the rider was none other than Harold Godwinson. ^[2] According to Henry of Huntingdon, "Six feet of ground or as much more as he needs, as he is taller than most men," was Harold's response. For Earl Henry father of two Scottish kings see Henry of Scotland 3rd Earl of Huntingdon Henry of Huntingdon (c It is, however, unknown whether this conversation ever took place.

Harold now again forced his army to march 241 miles (386 kilometres) to intercept William, who had landed perhaps 7000 men in Sussex, southern England three days later on September 28. Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Harold established his army in hastily built earthworks near Hastings. Earthworks are engineering works created through the moving of massive quantities of Soil or unformed rock. Hastings is a town on the coast of East Sussex in England; it is also the administrative centre for the Borough of the same name The two armies clashed at the Battle of Hastings, near the present town of Battle close by Hastings on 14th October, where after a hard fight Harold was killed and his forces routed. The Battle of Hastings was the decisive Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. Battle is a small town in the Local government district of Rother in East Sussex, England, about 5 miles (8 km from Hastings Hastings is a town on the coast of East Sussex in England; it is also the administrative centre for the Borough of the same name His brothers Gyrth and Leofwine were also killed in the battle. Gyrth Godwinson (c 1032 &ndash October 14, 1066; Old English: Gyrð Gōdwinson) was the fourth son of Earl Godwin, and thus a younger Leofwine Godwinson (c1035 &ndash October 14, 1066) was a younger brother of Harold II of England, the fifth son of Earl Godwin. According to tradition, Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye, but it is unclear if the victim depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry is intended to be Harold, or whether indeed the tapestry's scene depicts that particular type of wound. The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft long embroidered cloth which explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of Whether he did, indeed, die in this manner (a death associated in the Middle Ages with perjurers), or was killed by the sword, will never be known. Harold's first wife, Edith Swanneck, was called to identify the body, which she did by some private mark known only to herself.

Harold's body was buried in a grave of stones overlooking the shore, and was only given a proper funeral years later in his church of Waltham Holy Cross in Essex, which he had refounded in 1060. Waltham Abbey is an Abbey church, first consecrated in 1060, in the town of Waltham Abbey Essex, England History Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common ^[3]

Harold's strong association with Bosham and the discovery of an Anglo-Saxon coffin in the church in the 1950s has led some to speculate that King Harold was buried there. Bosham (pronounced Bozzum is a small coastal village and Civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England, situated three miles A request to exhume a grave in Bosham church was refused by the Diocese of Chichester in December 2004, the Chancellor ruling that the chances of establishing the identity of the body as Harold's were too slim to justify disturbing a burial place. Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, England. It has a long history as a settlement its Roman past and its subsequent importance ^[4] A prior exhumation had revealed the remains of a middle-aged man lacking one leg, a description which fits the fate of the king according to certain chroniclers.

Legacy and legend

Harold's daughter Gytha of Wessex married Vladimir Monomakh Grand Duke (Velikii Kniaz) of Kievan Rus' and is ancestor to dynasties of Galicia, Smolensk and Yaroslavl, whose scions include Modest Mussorgsky and Peter Kropotkin. Gytha of Wessex was one of several daughters of Ealdgyth Swan-neck by Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. For the cruiser see Russian armoured cruiser Vladimir Monomakh, for the submarine see RFS Vladimir Monomakh Vladimir II Monomakh The Title grand duke (in Latin, magnus dux; in Spanish, gran duque; in Russian, Великий Герцог Kniaz’ or knyaz is a word found in some Slavic languages, denoting a Nobility rank Kievan Rus′ (Ки́евская Русь romanised: Kievskaya Rus', rusʲ also written as Kyivan Rus′ (Ки́ївська Русь or Kievan Galicia (Галичина ( Halychyna) Galicja is a historical region in East Central Europe, currently divided between Poland and Ukraine, Smolensk (Смоленск is a city in western Russia, located on the Dnieper River, the administrative centre of Smolensk Oblast. Yaroslavl (Яросла́вль is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, located north-east of Moscow. Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (Моде́ст Петро́вич Му́соргский Modest Petrovič Musorgskij) ( March 21 March 9 1839 &ndash March Isabella of France (consort of Edward II) was also a direct descendant of Harold via Gytha, and thus the bloodline of Harold was re-introduced to the Royal Line. Isabella of France (c 1295 &ndash August 22, 1358) known as the She-Wolf of France, was the Queen consort of Edward II of Subsequently, undocumented claims that the Russian Orthodox Church has recently recognised Harold as a martyr have been made. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom Ulf, along with Morcar and two others, were released from prison by King William as he lay dying in 1087. Morcar (or Morkere) (d 1087 was the son of Ælfgār (earl of Mercia) and brother of Ēadwine. He threw his lot in with Robert Curthose, who knighted him, and disappeared from history. Two of his elder half-brothers, Godwine and Magnus, made a number of attempts at invading England in 1068 and 1069 with the aid of Diarmait mac Mail na mBo. Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó (died 7 February 1072) was King of Leinster and a contender for the title of High King of Ireland. They raided Cornwall as late as 1082, but died in obscurity in Ireland.

A cult of hero-worship rose around Harold, and by the 12th century, legend says that Harold had indeed survived the battle, had spent two years in Winchester after the battle recovering from his wounds, and then traveled to Germany, where he spent years wandering as a pilgrim. As an old man, he supposedly returned to England, and lived as a hermit in a cave near Dover. Dover is a town and major ferry port in the county of Kent, England. As he lay dying, he confessed that although he went by the name of Christian, he had been born Harold Godwinson. Various versions of this story persisted throughout the Middle Ages, but have little basis in fact. Harold's wife was pregnant with a son when he died, whom she named "Harold" and he became a monk at Waltham Abbey and is said to have met Henry I, leading to the idea that Harold Godwinsson had survived, instead of Harold Haroldsson.

Literary interest in Harold revived in the 19th century, with the play Harold, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in 1876; and the novel Last of the Saxon Kings, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, in 1848. Alfred Tennyson 1st Baron Tennyson (6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892 was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom and remains one of the most popular English poets Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton 1st Baron Lytton ( May 25, 1803 – Rudyard Kipling wrote a story, The Tree of Justice (1910), describing how an old man who turns out to be Harold is brought before Henry I. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 was an English Author and poet Henry I (c 1068/1069 – 1 December 1135) was the fourth son of William I the Conqueror, the first King of England after the Norman E. A. Freeman wrote a serious history in History of the Norman Conquest of England (1870–79), in which Harold is seen as a great English hero. Edward Augustus Freeman ( August 2, 1823 &ndash March 16, 1892) was an English Historian. Fictional accounts based on the events surrounding Harold's struggle for and brief reign as king of England have been published, notably "The Interim King" by James McMilla, "Lord of Sunset" by Parke Godwin, and The Last English King by Julian Rathbone. Parke Godwin ( 28 January 1929 -) is an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor The Last English King (1997 is a Historical novel by English Writer Julian Rathbone.

The Times runs the obituary of "Harold of England" on the anniversary of his death. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register.

The one-act play A Choice of Kings by John Mortimer deals with his deception by William after his shipwreck. Sir John Clifford Mortimer, CBE QC (born 21 April 1923) is an English Barrister, Dramatist and author

On screen, Harold has been portrayed by Rex Reason in the film Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955), Patrick Newell in the comedy film Father Came Too! (1962), Michael Craig in a TV adaptation of A Choice of Kings in the ITV Play of the Week series (1966), Norman Chappell in an episode of the TV comedy series Carry On Laughing entitled "One in the Eye for Harold" (1975), and Jâms Thomas in an episode of the British educational TV series Historyonics entitled "1066" (2004). Rex Reason (born in Berlin Germany on November 30, 1928) is an American actor Patrick David Newell (born Hadleigh, Suffolk, March 27 1932 - July 22 1988) was a British actor known for his Father Came Too! is a British comedy film first released in 1963. Michael Craig (born Michael Francis Gregson; 27 January 1929) is a British actor known for his work in Film and Television Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent Carry on Laughing was a television sitcom produced for ATV which featured several stars of the famous Carry On comedy film series

See also

• House of Wessex family tree

References

Bibliography

• Biography by P. Compton (1961); F. M. Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (3d ed. 1971).
• Biography by Ian W. Walker: Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King. Sutton Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, 1997. ISBN 0-7509-1388-6

External links

• Genealogy page — Reliability unknown
• Profile of Harold Godwinson
• Descendants of King Cerdic of Wessex chart
• In the footsteps of King Harold A timeline of Harold Godwinson's life, includes information about places significant to Harold II's story.
• BBC Historic Figures: Harold II (Godwineson) (c.1020 - 1066)
• Britannica: Harold II (c. 1020 - Oct. 14, 1066)
• King Harold II ca.1021-1066 Extensive and useful site, graphics-heavy, can be a little slow loading.
• Geoff Boxell Harold Godwinson — the last king of the English The rise and fall of King Harold II.
• Regia Anglorum Kingmakers — The Story of the House of Godwin
• Steven Lowe The Godwins — A family of power
• "Harold: this insane Englishman" Contemporary accounts of Harold's accession and the Norman invasion.
• The Death of Harold Godwinson A commentary using the Bayeaux Tapestry as a primary source of information. The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft long embroidered cloth which explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of
• A castle possibly built by Harold when he was earl of Hereford

Literature

• A list of both fiction and non-fiction books relating to Harold Godwinson

Preceded by Edward the Confessor	King of England 1066	Succeeded by Edgar Ætheling (Proclaimed king by witan, never crowned)
Preceded by Godwin	Earl of Wessex 1053–1066	Succeeded by Merged in Crown
Preceded by Ælfgār	Earl of East Anglia 1052–1053	Succeeded by Ælfgār

King Edward the Confessor (c 1003 &ndash 5 January 1066 son of Ethelred the Unready, was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon King of England and the last The Kings of Wessex, who conquered Kent and Sussex from Mercia in 825 became increasingly dominant over the other kingdoms of England during Edgar ( the) Ætheling, also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c 1051&ndashc Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine Goodwin Godwyn or Goodwyn (c The title Earl of Wessex has been created twice in British history once in the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon nobility of England and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Ælfgar (c1030-1062 was son of Leofric Earl of Mercia, possibly by his well-known wife Godgifu ( Lady Godiva) although more probably by an earlier marriage The Earls of East Anglia were rulers of the former Kingdom of East Anglia between the 10th and 12th centuries Ælfgar (c1030-1062 was son of Leofric Earl of Mercia, possibly by his well-known wife Godgifu ( Lady Godiva) although more probably by an earlier marriage

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