Harold Godwinson, known to history as King Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England. His reign lasted barely ten months in the tumultuous year of 1066. He died at the Battle of Hastings fighting William of Normandy, an event that reshaped English history.
Born around 1022 or 1023 into the powerful Godwinson family, Harold rose to become Earl of Wessex, the most influential noble in the kingdom. When King Edward the Confessor died childless in January 1066, the royal council—the Witenagemot—chose Harold as his successor. He was crowned the same day Edward was buried, but his rule faced immediate challenges from rival claimants across the sea.
Harold’s story is one of swift victory followed by catastrophic defeat. Within nine months he fought two major battles, defeated a Viking invasion, and then marched south to meet the Norman army. His death on 14 October 1066 marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman domination.
Who Was King Harold Godwinson?
Who
Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, crowned King Harold II of England in January 1066.
Death
Killed at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, likely by an arrow to the eye.
Family
Married to Edith of Mercia, had several children; brothers included Gyrth and Leofwine.
Rival
William the Conqueror defeated Harold, claiming the throne as William I.
Key Insights
- Harold was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king, reign lasting only 10 months.
- His death marked the Norman Conquest of England.
- Harold’s claim to the throne was based on Edward the Confessor’s deathbed nomination.
- His army was exhausted after marching from Stamford Bridge to Hastings.
- The exact manner of his death remains debated (arrow-in-eye vs. others).
- No direct male line survived; his children were either killed or fled.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harold Godwinson |
| Title | King of England (Harold II) |
| Reign | 6 January 1066 – 14 October 1066 |
| Coronation | 6 January 1066, possibly at Westminster Abbey |
| Died | 14 October 1066, Battle of Hastings |
| Burial | Unknown; possibly at Waltham Abbey or Bosham |
| Spouse | Edith of Mercia (also known as Edith Swan-Neck) |
| Children | Godwine, Edmund, Magnus, and others (mostly died young or in exile) |
| Father | Godwin, Earl of Wessex |
| Mother | Gytha Thorkelsdóttir |
| Siblings | Sweyn, Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine, Wulfnoth, and others |
How Did King Harold Die?
The Arrow-in-the-Eye Myth
The most famous image of Harold’s death comes from the Bayeux Tapestry, which appears to show a figure with an arrow striking his eye. Twelfth-century historians such as William of Malmesbury and Henry of Huntingdon supported this account. However, the earliest contemporary source, the Carmen de Hastingae Proelio (Song of the Battle of Hastings), tells a different story. It describes Harold being killed by Norman knights in close combat—pierced by a lance, beheaded with a sword, and disemboweled.
The arrow-in-the-eye story is likely a later embellishment. The Bayeux Tapestry’s image may depict a different soldier, or the arrow could be a symbolic representation. No single account is universally accepted.
Burial and Final Resting Place
After the battle, William the Conqueror refused to hand over Harold’s body to his mother, even when she offered gold. Instead, the corpse was given to William Malet for burial. The exact location remains unknown. William later founded Battle Abbey on the site of the conflict, with the high altar supposedly marking the spot where Harold died.
What Was the Relationship Between King Harold and William the Conqueror?
Why Did William Invade England?
William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised him the English throne. He also asserted that Harold had sworn an oath of allegiance during a visit to Normandy in 1064 or 1065, possibly after being shipwrecked. When Harold accepted the crown instead, William saw it as a personal betrayal and launched an invasion.
Who Had a Stronger Claim?
Both men had plausible but contested claims. Harold was elected by the Witenagemot, the traditional Anglo-Saxon council. William relied on a deathbed promise from Edward and a sworn oath from Harold. The question of legitimacy was ultimately settled on the battlefield at Hastings.
The exact nature of Harold’s oath to William is unclear. It may have been forced, voluntary, or later exaggerated by Norman chroniclers to justify the invasion.
Who Were King Harold’s Wife and Children?
Edith Swan-Neck (Edith the Fair)
Harold’s first wife, often described as his “common-law” wife, was Edith Swan-Neck. She was a powerful noblewoman who went to the battlefield after Hastings to retrieve his body. According to accounts, she identified him not by his face—which was too mutilated to recognise—but by marks on his body, possibly a birthmark.
Children and Heirs
With Edith Swan-Neck, Harold had at least six children, including Gunnhild, Godwin, Reginald, and Magnus. He also had a second wife, Edith of Wessex, whom he married formally in 1065. She gave him two sons, Harold and Ulf. None of Harold’s sons succeeded him. Some were killed at Hastings alongside his brothers Gyrth and Leofwine; others fled into exile. His brother Tostig had died earlier at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Gyrth and Leofwine died with Harold at Hastings. Tostig, Earl of Northumbria, fell at Stamford Bridge in late September 1066. Harold’s mother Gytha offered gold for his body, but William refused.
What Were the Key Events in King Harold’s Life?
- – Harold born to Godwin, Earl of Wessex – source
- – Harold succeeds his father as Earl of Wessex – source
- – Harold shipwrecked in Normandy, possibly swears oath to William – source
- – Edward the Confessor dies, Harold claims throne – source
- – Harold crowned King Harold II – source
- – Battle of Stamford Bridge – Harold defeats Harald Hardrada – source
- – Battle of Hastings – Harold killed – source
- – William crowned King of England – source
What Do We Know for Certain About King Harold?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Harold Godwinson reigned as king for nine months in 1066. | The exact cause of his death (arrow in eye vs. killed by knights) is debated. |
| He died at the Battle of Hastings. | His burial location is unknown – multiple traditions exist (Waltham Abbey, Bosham, etc.). |
| He was succeeded by William the Conqueror. | The nature of his oath to William in 1064 is unclear – was it forced or voluntary? |
| He was married to Edith of Mercia and had children. | The number and names of his children vary in historical sources. |
| — | Whether Harold’s body was mutilated after death is unconfirmed. |
A popular modern confusion links King Harold to the animated character Shrek. There is no historical connection. The green ogre from the 2001 film has no relationship to the 11th-century English king. The misunderstanding may arise from mishearing, internet memes, or fictional retellings. The historical record contains no mention of anyone named Shrek connected to Harold.
Why Does King Harold’s Story Matter?
Harold’s reign occurred during a succession crisis after Edward the Confessor’s death. He faced invasions from Norway (Harald Hardrada) and Normandy (William). The Norman Conquest that followed his defeat fundamentally changed English language, culture, and governance. The Battle of Hastings remains a defining moment in English history, and the Bayeux Tapestry is an iconic artifact that continues to draw visitors to its museum in France.
What Do Historical Sources Say About King Harold?
“Harold Godwinson was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, reigning for just nine months before his death at the Battle of Hastings.”
Britannica, 2025
“On Edward’s death, the King’s Council (the Witenagemot) confirmed Edward’s brother-in-law Harold, Earl of Wessex, as King.”
Royal.uk
“The Bayeux tapestry documents the heroic battle and death of King Harold II.”
Historic UK
What Legacy Did King Harold Leave Behind?
Harold Godwinson ended the Viking Age in England with his victory at Stamford Bridge but lost the throne to the Norman Conquest. His brief reign and dramatic death encapsulate a pivotal year that changed English history forever. For readers interested in deeper exploration, the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in France and the Battlefield site at Hastings offer tangible connections to his story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is King Harold called Godwinson?
It means ‘son of Godwin’, referring to his father Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Surnames were patronymic in Anglo-Saxon England.
How long did King Harold reign?
He reigned for 10 months – from 6 January 1066 to his death on 14 October 1066.
Did King Harold have any legitimate heirs?
He had several sons, but they were either killed at Hastings or fled into exile. No direct male line continued.
Where is King Harold buried?
His burial site is unknown. Tradition suggests Waltham Abbey or Bosham Church, but no definitive proof exists.
Did King Harold really get shot in the eye?
The Bayeux Tapestry shows a figure with an arrow in the eye, but it may depict another soldier. Historians debate the exact cause of his death.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.