Harold Godwinson

Because most of these names are from nearly a millennium ago, they often have alternate spellings.  These are indicated by brackets on the first instance only, following the primary spelling.  For example, the modern name of John might be shown as John [Jon] the first time, but later simply as John.

Also, in a couple of places, terms from other languages (usually Old English) are used, followed by an explanation.  These are used only where an exact Modern English equivalent doesn't exist.  These terms also include two pronunciations.  IPA stands for International Phonetic Alphabet, and it represents the general world standard pronunciation guide; ADP stands for American Dictionary Pronunciation and represents the typical type of self-created pronunciation guides most American dictionaries employ.

Also known as Harold II of England, Harold was born at Bosham, West Sussex ("In the Footsteps of King Harold": c. 1020), in about 1022, second child to Godwin [Godwine], the powerful Earl of Wessex, and his wife Gytha (Ancestral Roots 6). He had many siblings, as listed below. Note: Harold's birth seems to conflict with that of Sweyn [Swegen], the elder brother of Harold; Sweyn's birth has been moved back two years from what some publications show. Discerning these birth dates has always been problematic at best (The House of Godwine 35).

• Sweyn (c. 1021 – 1052): brother, Earl of Herefordshire
• Gunhilda [Gunnhilda] (c. 1024 – 24 Aug 1087): sister, nun
• Tostig (c. 1026 – 25 September 1066): brother, Earl of Northumbria
• Edith [Eadgyth] (c. 1030 – 19 December 1075): sister, Queen consort of Edward the Confessor
• Gyrth (c. 1030 – 14 October 1066): brother, Earl of East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire
• Ælfgifu [Aelfgyva, Elgiva] (c. 1026 – c. 1066): sister
• Marigard (6 February 1033 – 6 August 1083): sister
• Leofwine (c. 1035 – 14 October 1066): brother, Earl of Kent
• Wulfnoth (c. 1040 – c. 1094): brother, in captivity most of life in Normandy; died still in captivity in Salisbury, England

Little is known of the childhood of Harold. Clearly he was trained in matters of leadership and government, although much of this was most likely innate. His father had climbed his way in power, from a low position in the Saxon aristocracy ("The battle of Hastings" 1) to being at least the second most powerful man in England (Anglo-Saxon England 561). His mother was a close kin to King Canute [Cnut or Knut], a Danish king who succeeded Edmund II Ironside as king of England in 1016 ("Harold II" 1).

Harold married Edith Swan-neck [Aldgyth or Ealdgyth Swanneshals] (also known as Edith the Fair), probably at least as early as 1045 (The Last Anglo-Saxon King 128). The marriage appears to have been one of love, done more Danico [IPA: /'moRe 'daniko/ ; ADP: MOR-ay DAH-nee-koh]: in the traditional Danish fashion. This meant it would have been a civil marriage, specifically a "handfast" (common-law) marriage ("Handfasting" 172–173). It is likely that Harold followed this method of wedding because his own mother was Danish. In any case, it was generally considered valid and binding by the people (there is no evidence that their children were ever considered illegitimate by the laity), although the Catholic Church considered Edith to be Harold's mistress, rather than an actual wife (House 139).

In 1044, Harold was made Earl of East Anglia by Edward the Confessor (Harold II, Godwinson (1066): Last of the Saxon Kings 1). Shortly thereafter, Sweyn—considered the black sheep of the family—helped Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, the King of Gwynedd in northern Wales, with an invasion into Deheubarth, the most southwestern kingdom of Wales (Flame-bearers of Welsh History 22). Among other things, the invasion resulted in Sweyn's abduction of the Abbess of Leominster, whom he retained; some claims were made that such was the result of true love, but suspicions formed that it was, in fact, for his own concupiscence (Shropshire: Its Early History and Antiquities 97). The result of this behavior was a blow to the House of Godwin. Sweyn was exiled, where he remained in Bruges with his father's long-standing ally, Count Baldwin V of Flanders. Sweyn's lands were divided between Harold and Beorn [Bjorn], a cousin (House 54–55).

A return of Sweyn the following year would be short-lived. It appears King Edward was willing to forgive Sweyn for his indiscretions, and that he wanted to return Sweyn's original title and lands to him. Harold and Beorn, however, indicated that they "would surrender to [him] nothing [of his] that the king had imparted to them" (Anglo Saxon Chronicle C). The king accepted their decision, apparently inflaming the returned son.

At about this time, an invasion was attempted by Osgod Clapa, a Danish magnate who had been exiled in 1046 from England (Anglo-Saxon England 430). Earl Godwin was ordered to the English Channel, where Clapa's ships were spotted. He was accompanied by 42 ships, including two of the king's own ships, which came under command of his sons, Harold and Tostig. Beorn was left behind to command Harold's own ship. Sweyn convinced Beorn to help him work out his reinstatement with the king, at the time in Sandwich. They sailed to Bosham, probably for appearances, but once there Sweyn bound his cousin (who had brought only 3 men with him) and brought him onto his own ship. Then, for some unknown reason, the defenseless Beorn was murdered at Dartmouth (The Last Anglo-Saxon King 24).

Perhaps Sweyn intended to use Beorn as a hostage during his negotiations; maybe Beorn vehemently refused to help him after all, inciting his wrath. In either case, this act made Sweyn's exile permanent. King Edward declared him níðing [IPA: /'nIðIng/; ADP: NIH-thing], meaning a coward, outlaw, or one who commits a vile act. Six of Sweyn's eight ships forsook him, and he was forced to return to Bruges ("In the Footsteps of King Harold": 1049).

The response of the king was absolute.  Not only was Sweyn exiled for life, but the rest of the House of Godwin was punished.  Godwin and his sons were also exiled from England, and Edward's own wife, Edith, was moved to a nunnery (The Norman Conquest and Beyond, 68).  It is noteworthy that a number of French nobles and religious figures remained in England after this exile ("History – Anglo-Saxons and Vikings": Harold Godwinson).  That King Edward favored those of French blood, often over Anglo-Saxon blood, seems apparent ("January 5, 1066").  It is plausible that Edward's time in exile in Normandy prior to ascension to the throne affected his feelings and even judgment with regard to those of French blood.  It is equally possible that the extremity of the punishment against the House of Godwin came from a desire to purge the land of a powerful rival influence, and the act of Sweyn gave the king an excuse to rid himself of the lot.

With the return of the Godwin house to England, a change was in the air.

Return of the Prodigal
Having been banished the previous year, Tostig was embittered against his brother.  He believed he had been slighted and wished to redeem his good name.  Rather than asking forgiveness or seeking amends, however, he chose to invade England.  In May 1066, he raided the eastern coast of England, but was repulsed by Harold's armies.  After fleeing to Scotland for safety, he arranged an alliance with Harald Hardradda, the current king of Norway.

The year 1066 had been a taxing one on the king and his provisions.  On September 8, Harold was forced to disband his fleet and the fyrd (/furd/, the conscripted army) as supplies were running low. Unfortunately, the Viking Harald Hardradda and his new-found ally, Tostig, were heading up the Humber with a massive fleet of 300 ships.  Just a week after disbanding much of his military, Harold learned they had made landfall in the north, at a village called Riccall, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of York.

When they marched on York on September 20, Harald and Tostig were met by the Earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria (grandsons of Leofric to whom Tostig's earldom had been given) south of the city, at Gate Fulford.  The armies faced off across a ditch separating the River Ouse and a marsh, near Heslington.  The battle soon ended in the surrender of the earls to the Viking invader.  York promised 500 hostages to the Viking army, to be delivered five days later.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge
By September 20, word had reached Harold, who immediately mustered his troops once more and marched hard for York, gathering as many huscarls (/huskarlz/) and thegns (/thenz/) as he could along the way.  He marched a distance of 185 miles (296 kilometers) in only four days.  When he reached York, he learned of the planned delivery of hostages and pushed straight to Stamford Bridge, which crossed the River Derwent.

Harald had left a portion of his army on the west side of the river to guard the bridge, while the bulk had been staying at Tadcaster, to the southwest of York.  The night before, the Vikings camped on the southeast of Stamford Bridge, on the bank opposite the force that guarded it.  The invaders were caught completely offguard, most likely because only 500 hostages were expected.  Tostig only realized what was happening when the dust kicked up by the approaching men — far more than that of 500 hostages — was also accompanied by the glint of weapons and armor.  In 1225, Snorri Sturluson described this in his saga Heimskringla:

…the army grew greater the nearer it came, and it looked like a sheet of ice when the weapons glittered.

The Vikings may not have been equipped as they ought to have been.  Snorri Sturluson also wrote that the Vikings had left their armor on their ships, so only fought with shield, helm, and spear.  Harald's army was now divided by the River Derwent and poorly equipped, not having expected an army to arrive as quickly as it had.  The force on the west bank was quickly annihilated, and the English began across the bridge.

According to a folk story, a single Viking held the army of Harold at bay until a soldier floated on a barrel beneath the bridge and stabbed a spear up through the bridge's slats, killing the defender.  They were most likely delayed because of the narrowness of the bridge and size of the army.  In either case, the delay provided time for the army of Harald and Tostig to hastily form a shield-wall in defense on a tract known today as Battle Flat.

As the English army reached the eastern shore, they too formed a shield-wall.  It is most likely at this time that Tostig was offered a truce if he would submit to Harold before the battle.  He demanded to know what his ally, Harald, could have. The response was that Harald could have enough English ground to make his grave.  Tostig declined to talk further, and the English rushed forward.

The battle lasted hours, with the Vikings' lack of armor likely their greatest weakness.  Harald and Tostig were both killed, and the flanks of the invaders began to buckle.  Eystein Orre arrived with fresh Vikings from their camp at Riccall and renewed the fight for a bit longer.  Ultimately, however, the vikings were crushed.  Of the 300 ships that arrived, only 24 — eight percent — were needed to carry the survivors home.

Olof (Harald's son), Earl Paul [Páll] Thorfinnsson, and Earl Erlend Thorfinnsson (Paul's brother) were among the few leaders left.  Olof first retreated to Orkney, where he overwintered with the earls; he departed for Norway in the spring, never to return.

Early in the year 1066, Edward the Confessor passed on.  Whether the succession of William to the throne was rightful has been a source of debate for centuries; in the year 1066, it was cause for war.

It is not only unclear whether Edward wanted William to succeed him, but no one can with certainty verify whether Edward even actually passed the crown.

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