The life of Harold Godwinson
Harold Godwinson was born in the early 1022 CE. Harold was son of Godwine, the Anglo Saxon Earl of Wessex. Harold was English born and became Earl of East Anglia in 1046 CE. Harold's family, particularly his Father, strongly supported Anglo Saxon rule in England. They were against King Edwards practise of bringing Normans to the English court and appointing them to powerful positions, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. For this, the Godwin's earned the loyal following of the English people.
Harold spent a year living away in Ireland after his father was sent into exile in 1050. A year after returning from exile, Godwine died leaving Harold as the Earl of Wessex. In 1064 Harold was on board ship that sank off the coast of Ponthieu. Harold was freed from captivity by William, in return for swearing on holy relics to help William become King when Edward died. It was later discovered that Harold was on the ship because the King had sent him to confirm that William would become king when he, Edward, died.
In England at this time, if there was a dispute over the kingship, a council of powerful nobles and church leaders, called the witan, would choose the King. They chose Edward the Confessor as King following the death of King Hardicanute in 1042, and they chose Harald as King following Edwards death in 1066.
The Witengamot, council of elders, confirmed his kingship after Edwards death and Harold was crowned King the next day. He knew that William would invade to pursue his own claim to the throne and was preparing his army when Harald Hardrada invaded with over three hundred ships in the north of England in September 1066. Harold was forced to send his army to meet them first. Harold's army of seven thousand infantry defeated Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge near York and then took his army south to battle Williams Norman army.
Harold spent a year living away in Ireland after his father was sent into exile in 1050. A year after returning from exile, Godwine died leaving Harold as the Earl of Wessex. In 1064 Harold was on board ship that sank off the coast of Ponthieu. Harold was freed from captivity by William, in return for swearing on holy relics to help William become King when Edward died. It was later discovered that Harold was on the ship because the King had sent him to confirm that William would become king when he, Edward, died.
In England at this time, if there was a dispute over the kingship, a council of powerful nobles and church leaders, called the witan, would choose the King. They chose Edward the Confessor as King following the death of King Hardicanute in 1042, and they chose Harald as King following Edwards death in 1066.
The Witengamot, council of elders, confirmed his kingship after Edwards death and Harold was crowned King the next day. He knew that William would invade to pursue his own claim to the throne and was preparing his army when Harald Hardrada invaded with over three hundred ships in the north of England in September 1066. Harold was forced to send his army to meet them first. Harold's army of seven thousand infantry defeated Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge near York and then took his army south to battle Williams Norman army.