Harold Godwinson

Reign: 1066 – 1066
Life: 1026–1066

1022/23 to 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England. He was succeeded by William the Conqueror, the victor at Hastings. Harold Godwinson was a member of one of the most powerful noble families in England, his father Godwin having been made earl of Wessex by King Cnut the Great. Harold, who served previously as earl of East Anglia, was appointed to his father's earldom on Godwin's death. After his brother-in-law, King Edward the Confessor, died childless on 5 January 1066, the Witenagemot convened and chose Harold to succeed him; he was probably the first English monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. In late September, he defeated an invasion by rival claimant Harald Hardrada of Norway in the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York before marching his army back south to meet William at Hastings two weeks later, where he was killed in battle.

During Harold Godwinson's reign, Sancho II of León and Castile ruled Spain, Malcolm III of Scotland ruled Scotland, and Philip I of France ruled France.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King by Ian W. Walker

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Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King

Ian W. Walker

The best modern attempt to reconstruct Harold's career beyond the Bayeux Tapestry caricature.

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