Harold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson, also known as Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England. He became king on January 6, 1066, after the death of his brother-in-law, King Edward the Confessor, and was crowned in Westminster Abbey, likely the first monarch to have this honor.

Harold came from a powerful family. His father, Godwin, was the earl of Wessex, a very important leader in England. When Godwin died, Harold took over as earl of East Anglia and later became earl of Wessex.

In 1066, Harold faced big challenges. First, a rival claimant, Harald Hardrada of Norway, invaded England. Harold fought him and won at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York. But just two weeks later, he had to march his army south to fight another invader, William the Conqueror, at the Battle of Hastings. Sadly, Harold was killed in that battle on October 14, 1066, and William took over as the new king of England.

Family background

See also: Ancestry of the Godwins

Harold was the son of Godwin, a powerful leader called the Earl of Wessex, and Gytha Thorkelsdóttir. Godwin was an important person in England during his time. Harold had many brothers and sisters, including Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine, and Edith of Wessex, who later married King Edward the Confessor.

Harold grew up to become a very important leader in England himself. He was around 25 years old in 1045, which means he was born around the year 1020. His family lived in a place called Bosham on the south coast of England.

Powerful nobleman

Harold became Earl of East Anglia around the time his sister Edith married King Edward in 1045. Being an earl meant he was a very important leader in England. Harold’s elder brother Sweyn was sent away from the kingdom in 1047, and his lands were split between Harold and their cousin, Beorn.

In 1051, Harold and his family were forced to leave England but came back the next year. When their father, Earl Godwin, passed away in 1053, Harold became Earl of Wessex, making him one of the most powerful people in the country after the king. Harold defended England from attacks, including fighting back the Welsh in 1055 and leading battles in Wales from 1062 to 1063.

In 1064, Harold got lost at sea and landed in northern France. He was captured but later met Duke William II of Normandy. Some stories say Harold promised to support William’s claim to be the future king of England, but this is debated by historians.

Reign

When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, he did not clearly say who should be the next king. The leaders of England chose Harold Godwinson to be the new king, and he was crowned on January 6, 1066, probably in Westminster Abbey.

William, the Duke of Normandy, wanted to be king instead. He gathered a big army and ships to invade England. Harold prepared his own army but had to send them home when they ran out of food. Not long after, another enemy arrived in northern England. Harold quickly marched his army north and surprised the enemy at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066. Harold defeated them, but soon after, he faced William’s army at the Battle of Hastings, where he was defeated.

Battle of Hastings

Main article: Battle of Hastings

In 1066, a big battle happened in England called the Battle of Hastings. William, who came from a place called Normandy, sailed to England with his army. King Harold Godwinson marched his army a long way to meet William's forces near a place called Hastings. The two groups fought hard for nine hours on October 14, 1066. During the battle, King Harold and some of his brothers were killed, and William's army won.

There are different stories about how exactly Harold died. Some say he was hit by an arrow in the eye, while others say he was hurt in a different way during the fighting. Historians still discuss this today because the old stories don't all agree.

After the battle, William decided what should happen to Harold's body. One story says Harold's body was given to a man named William Malet to be buried, even though Harold's mother wanted to pay for a fancy burial. Another story says Harold's wife identified his body by a secret mark only she knew. Some people think Harold might be buried in a church in a place called Bosham, but this has never been proven.

Legacy

See also: Cultural depictions of Harold Godwinson

Some stories say Harold did not die at the big battle but instead left England or lived quietly later on. After King William passed away, he let Harold’s son Ulf go from prison. Ulf then met Robert Curthose, who made him a knight, but after that, we don’t hear much about Ulf. Two more of Harold’s sons tried to take back England in later years but were defeated in battles.

Relationships, marriages and children

Harold had a marriage with Edith the Fair for about twenty years, and they had at least five children together. After Harold’s death, it is said that Edith took his body to the Church at Waltham Holy Cross for burial, but what happened to her after 1066 is unknown.

In January 1066, Harold married Ealdgyth, daughter of Earl Ælfgar, who was also the widow of the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. After Harold died, Ealdgyth, who was pregnant, was taken to Chester for safety by her brothers, Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria. It is not known what happened to her after that.

Some historians think Harold and Ealdgyth may have had two sons named Harold and Wulf/Ulf, though it is unclear because they may have been born after Harold’s death. There was also a time when Harold was promised to marry Adeliza, a daughter of William the Conqueror, but this marriage never happened.