Harold was born around 1020, the son of Godwin, the Earl of Wessex and Kent and reputedly the most powerful man in England after his King, Edward the Confessor. In 1044 he was made Earl of East Anglia by the king, at the insistence of his father. Godwin soon fell out of favour with Edward when he refused to attack Dover on the orders of the King who believed the residents of that town had maltreated some visiting Frenchmen. Harold went into exile with his father but in 1051 he returned with a large army and invaded England. Fearing a civil war, Edward backed down, reinstated Godwin’s titles and lands and agreed to rid his court of the many Normans who were in his service. Within two years, Godwin died and Harold succeeded to his titles as well as his position as Edward’s chief supporter.
Tostig, Earl of Northumbria
Trouble in Wales in 1063 compelled Harold and his brother Tostig, Earl of Northumbria, to march into that country and subjugate it. Not long afterwards, the people of Northumbria, tired of Tostig’s cruel ways, rebelled against him. Harold supported the rebels, fearing the safety of his own position, and exiled his brother to Normandy. He had restored peace in England but made a bitter enemy of his brother.
King of England
Edward the Confessor breathed his last in January 1066 and named Harold as his successor. Unfortunately, he had previously promised the throne to his cousin, William, Duke of Normandy, and that man was determined to have it. Harold ignored the claim of William as well as that of Harald III Hardrada, King of Norway who was supported by Tostig. On January 6, Harold II was crowned King of England.
The new king wasted no time preparing for the invasions he knew would come. His fleet was sent to deal with the raids Tostig was making against the coast and fortunately, poor conditions in the channel kept William from sailing against him. By September, Harold felt that worsening conditions in the channel would negate any chance of invasion that year and as his ships were running short of supplies he dismissed his fleet.
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Meanwhile, Harald of Norway, in alliance with Tostig, invaded England and captured York. Harold hastened north with an army of 2,000 men, marching the 200 miles in five days. Harald and Tostig were taken by surprise and defeated and killed at the battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25.
Conditions in the channel had changed while Harold was fighting at York and William of Normandy was able to cross and land unopposed. His men tired from the long marches and battles, Harold arrived in London on October 5. Many of his veterans had been killed or wounded and Harold’s replacements were ill-trained and poorly equipped. Regardless, he set out again and met William at Hastings.
Battle of Hastings
The morning of October 14 found Harold drawn up in twelve ranks along a ridge in front of a marsh. William advanced across a narrow strip of firm ground and formed his men at the foot of the ridge. The first volleys from the archers had little effect on the English shields and the archers in turn suffered heavily. The Normans advanced up the ridge but were beaten back by the English. William sent in his cavalry but they too were driven back. Had Harold’s men held firm, he may have won the day but his untrained reinforcements broke ranks and charged after the retreating cavalry. With dusk approaching William ordered an all out assault, fearing the next day would bring reinforcements for Harold. For another two hours the battle raged until Harold fell with an arrow in his eye. His brothers Gyrth and Leofwine died with him along with many of his supporters. Resistance was useless and William hurried to London to be crowned King of England.
Sources:
Winston S. Churchill – The Birth of Britain – Bantam Books (1963)
Ian W. Walker - Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King - Sutton Publishing (1997)
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