Harold Godwinson

Question 1

Who was Harold Godwinson’s family?

Answer 1

Father: Godwin- Earl of Wessex
Brothers: Tostig, Leofwine and Gyrth, were also powerful Anglo-Saxon earls
Wife: Edith the Fair, owned large amounts of land in East Anglia

Question 2

What was Harold Godwinson earldom?

Answer 2

Wessex

Question 3

Why did Harold Godwinson go to Normandy in 1064?

Answer 3

• Normans claim Harold swore allegiance to William and promised to support him on his aim for the throne, through swearing on two holy relics.
• The Anglo-Saxons claimed that Harold went to negotiate the release of his brother and nephew (Wulfnoth and Hakon), who were William’s hostages.

Question 4

What did Harold Godwinson swear an oath on to William 1st?

Answer 4

Holy relics

Question 5

What is the evidence against Harold taking an oath?

Answer 5

Although Harold took an oath on holy relics, there was no proof that the oath was a promise to support William’s claim to throne. The Anglo-Saxons claimed that Harold went to negotiate the release of his brother and nephew (Wulfnoth and Hakon), who were William’s hostages.

Question 6

How did familial bonds highly Harold as suitable for Kingship?

Answer 6

Edward’s brother-in-law

Question 7

What experience and successes highlighted Harold Godwinson as suitable for Kingship?

Answer 7

• Military experience and accomplishments including successful campaigns in Wales in 1063-4 defeating Welsh King Gruffydd.
• Sub-Regulus (deputy king) for

Question 8

Who’s support highlighting him as the suitable candidate for kingship?

Answer 8

The Witan or the Witanegemot- a council of leading Anglo-Saxon nobles and bishops

Question 9

What promise highlighted Harold as the right choice for Kingship?

Answer 9

Novissima Verba

Question 10

What were the weaknesses of Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne?

Answer 10

• No direct blood link
• The Bayeux Tapestry highlights the one of the only people present during Edward the Confessors death-bed promise (Novissima Verba) was Edith Godwinson (Harold Godwinson’s sister and Ed’s wife), Edward’s true words could be manipulated.
• Harold Godwinson was the son of Earl Godwin, Edward’s biggest rival, causing the Godwin rebellion of 1051. Also causing the betrayal, imprisonment and death of his Edward’s brother Alfred Aethling in 1036.

Question 11

When did Harold Godwinson take power?

Answer 11

On 6th January 1066 - the day of Edward’s burial and the day after his death - Harold Godwinson was crowned Harold II of England.

Question 12

How did Harold Godwin ensure peace and ensure there was no opposition to his reign?

Answer 12

He faced opposition from rival earldoms such as Mercia and Northumbria (due to him being the Brother of Tostig, the incompetent earl of Northumbria prior to Edwin and Morcar).

To solve this problem he married Ealdgyth- who was the daughter of Ælfgar, and the siblings of Earl Edwin and Morcar. In the process increasing his power, through this political marriage.

Question 13

Which battles did Harold Godwinson fight in 1066?

Answer 13

The Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25th September

The Battle of Hastings on 14th October

Question 14

What was the outcome of the battle of Stamford bridge for Harold?

Answer 14

Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson were defeated by Harold Godwinson and killed.

Question 15

What was the outcome of the battle of Hastings for Harold?

Answer 15

He was defeated and killed by the Norman army of William, Duke of Normandy

Question 16

What position did Harold choose in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 16

Being at the top of Senlac Hill

Question 17

What were Harold Godwinson’s tactics in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 17

❖Holding the high ground at the top of Senlac Hill.

❖The shield wall.

Question 18

How did Harold Godwinson die?

Answer 18

Assumed to be by an arrow in his eye.