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GODWINSSON Harold II
Abt 1022 - 1066

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• Birth	Abt 1022	Of Wessex, England
  Christened	Also Of, Isle Of Thanet, Kent, England
  Gender	Male
  Died	14 Oct 1066	Senlac, Sussex, England
  Buried	Waltham Abbey, Waltham Holy Cro, Essex, England
  Notes	It is impossible to state exactly the date of Harold's visit to Duke William in Normandy, although it is put at 1064. Probably Harold did make some kind of oath to William, most likely under compulsion. It is certain, however, that Harold helped William in a war with the Bretons. On his return he married Ealdgyth, Griffith's widow, even though Edith Swan-neck, who had borne him five children, was still alive. In 1065 the Northumbrians rebelled against Tostig and Harold acquiesced in their choice of Morcar and Tostig's banishment. In January 1066 King Edward died. Harold, his nominee, was chosen king and crowned in Westminster Abbey. Duke William lost no time in preparing for the invasion of England; and Tostig, after trying the Normans and the Scots, succeeded in drawing Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, to his side. In September the two reached the Humber and Harold marched to meet them. At Stamford Bridge he won a complete victory on 25 September 1066, Tostig and Harald Hardrada being among the slain. But four days later William landed at Pevensey. Harold marched southwards with the utmost dispatch and the two armies met at Senlac, about nine miles from Hastings. From nine in the morning, 14 November 1066, the English fought stubbornly until nightfall, when the pretended flight of the Normans drew them from their impregnable position and gave the Normans victory. Harold himself fell pierced through the eye with an arrow. His body was recognised by Edith Swan-neck and he was buried at Waltham.
  Person ID	I3298	Royal Family of Europe
  Last Modified	16 Dec 2002

  
  

  Father	WESSEX Godwine Earl Of,   b. Abt 0992, Of Wessex, England ,   d. 15 Apr 1053, Winchester, Hampshire, England
  Mother	THORGILSDOTTER Gytha,   b. Abt 0997, Of Halland, Sweden
  Married	1019	Of Halland, Sweden
  Family ID	F950	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family 1	SWANNECK Edith,   b. 1025, Wessex, England ,   d. 1066
  Children	1. HAROLDSSON Godwine, Prince of England,   b. Abt 1047, Of, , Wessex, England   2. HARALDSSON Edmund, Prince of England,   b. Abt 1049, Of, , Wessex, England > 3. HARALDSDATTER Gyda, Princess of England,   b. Abt 1050, London, Middlesex, England   4. HARALDSSON Magnus, Prince of England,   b. Abt 1051, Of Wessex, England   5. HARALDSDATTER Gunhild, Princess of England,   b. Abt 1055, Of, London, Middlesex, England
  Family ID	F948	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family 2	ENGLAND Ealdgyth Queen Of,   b. Abt 1034, Of Mercia, England ,   d. Aft 1086
  Married	Abt 1064	Of Wessex, England
  Children	1. ENGLAND Ulf, Prince Of,   b. Abt. 1065, Wessex, Eng   2. ENGLAND Harold,Prince Of,   b. Abt. 1067, Wessex, Eng
  Family ID	F949	Group Sheet