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At the end of 1065, King Edward the Confessor fell into a coma without clarifying his preference for the succession. He died on 5 January 1066, according to the Vita Ædwardi Regis, but not before briefly regaining consciousness and commending his widow and the kingdom to Harold's "protection".
- William The Conqueror
William the Conqueror (c. 1028 – 9 September 1087),...
- Edward The Confessor
Edward the Confessor (c. 1003 – 5 January 1066) was an...
- Harold
Birth and parentage. Harold's family was one of the most...
- Ulf
Birth and parentage. Ulf's family was one of the most...
- Edgar Ætheling
Accordingly, the Witenagemot elected Harold Godwinson to...
- Edith of Mercia
Ealdgyth (fl. c. 1057–1066), also Aldgyth or Edith in modern...
- William The Conqueror
6 days ago · It is unclear whether Harold really died in this way, however; indeed, legends from the 12th century maintain that he was not killed at Hastings. According to one such tale, Harold spent two years recovering from wounds he received at Hastings before going on pilgrimage in France and England.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn how King Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye at the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Read the earliest descriptions of the battle and the evidence for the arrow theory.
Dec 18, 2009 · Was Harold killed by an arrow or by knights? A recent article challenges the traditional view and suggests that William the Conqueror may have hacked him to death. Read the evidence and arguments for both scenarios.
- Mark Cartwright
- Earl of Wessex. Harold was born around 1023 CE into the powerful Godwinson family, with his father, Godwin, being the Earl of Wessex and one of the richest men in England.
- Harold in Normandy. Harold Godwinson's star rose even higher when he was crowned king on 6 January 1066 CE following the death the day before of his brother-in-law King Edward the Confessor, who died childless.
- Battle of Stamford Bridge. The most immediate threat to Harold's kingdom was not from William, though, but from the north and another rival claimant to the throne, Harald Hardrada, king of Norway (aka Harold III, r. 1046-1066 CE).
- Battle of Hastings. Throughout the summer of 1066 CE William had been busy amassing a fleet on the northern coast of France near Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme.
A modern biographer of Harold, Ian Walker, states that Harold probably died from an arrow in the eye, although he also says it is possible that Harold was struck down by a Norman knight while mortally wounded in the eye.
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Jan 23, 2024 · How did Harold die? The battle of Hastings was a brutal all-day affair. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts terrible bloodshed, with men and horses dying, including Harold’s two brothers Gyrth and Leofwine.
