The Godwins Flashcards
Who were Godwin’s
The most important family in England
Who were some of the members of the family
Godwin = father
Children:
Harold
Tostig
Edith
Why were the godwins such a powerful family
Godwin helped the Viking king Cnut (Canute)
Godwin was an advisor of Edward the confessor
Harold - earl of Wessex (biggest earldom)
Edith - married Edward the confessor
Family on the witan so have wealth
Family own all earldoms accept Mercia
What happened in 1018 for the Godwins to gain power
The Viking king of England made his favourite advisor the earl of Essex (this was Godwin)
He was married to Gytha the daughter of a Viking earl
What happened in 1042 that allowed Godwin to maintain power
Edward the confessor became king and Godwin had supported him so he was able to keep his role on the witan and his earldom of Wessex
What happened in 1045
Godwins daughter Edith married Edward the confessor
What happened when Godwin died in 1053
His family power was weakened
Godwin had a son Harold who became the earl of Wessex
What happened in 1055
Another of godwins son was made earl of Northumbria (Tostig)
He was married to Judith the daughter of Baldwin of flanders
Smaller earldoms were given to g9dwins other sons
What does Harold godwinson do in 1064
He was sent to Normandy in France on a mission (embassy) from Edward the king
He helped William of Normandy with two military campaigns and was gifted weapons and armour
A symbol of their relationship with William as the lord and Harold as his warrior
Why was it said that Harold swore an oath to William supporting his future as king of England
Many Anglo Saxons said that Harold was forced to make the oath because his family members were held hostage
What happened throughout the 1050s - 1060s
Harold and Tostig led military campaigns for the king against the welsh princes.
In 1062 they defeated the welsh prince Llewelyn and the king let Harold choose his payment
