Harold II

Harold II (c. 1020-1066), King of England (January 6, 1066-October 14, 1066), last of the Saxon rulers, and a capable military leader.

The second son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, Harold was made Earl of East Anglia in 1045. In 1051 Godwin fell from favour with King Edward the Confessor and was exiled with his sons, but the following year the lands and titles of the family were restored in order to strengthen the security of the country. In 1053 Harold succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex, becoming chief minister to Edward and the most powerful man in the realm. Through his efforts, the warlike Welsh were subdued in 1063. After a revolt against Harold's brother Tostig, Earl of Northumbria, Harold was forced to banish Tostig, an action that managed to restore peace but created a bitter enmity between the two brothers.

Probably in 1064, Harold was shipwrecked off the coast of Normandy and captured by William, Duke of Normandy. In order to secure his release, Harold was forced to swear that he would support William's claim to the crown of England. King Edward had generally favoured the Normans during his lifetime, but when he was dying, he recommended that the throne be awarded to Harold, whom the witenagemot (royal council) elected and crowned. William immediately asserted his claim, which was supported by the dispossessed Tostig and Harold III (Hard Ruler) of Norway. Tostig and his Norwegian ally invaded Yorkshire and, after several military successes, were routed by the English forces at Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066; both were killed. Three days later, William landed in Sussex with his army, forcing Harold to hurry south to meet him. The armies engaged at Senlac Hill on October 14, 1066, in the Battle of Hastings; the defeat and death of Harold made William, thereafter called The Conqueror, ruler of England as King William I.