Harold Godwinson (or Harold II) is crowned King of England.

Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), often referred to as Harold II, holds a truly pivotal place in English history as the last crowned Anglo-Saxon King of England. His brief but intensely tumultuous reign, spanning from January 6, 1066, until his death on October 14, 1066, marks a profound turning point. This decisive conflict saw him confront the formidable invading Norman forces led by William the Conqueror, an event that culminated in the momentous Norman Conquest of England. Harold’s demise fundamentally altered the course of English sovereignty, bringing a definitive end to over 600 years of Anglo-Saxon rule and ushering in a new era under Norman governance.

The Powerful House of Godwin and Harold's Ascent

Harold Godwinson was not born into royalty, but rather into one of the most powerful and influential Anglo-Saxon families of his time: the House of Godwin. His father, Godwin, Earl of Wessex, had risen to unprecedented prominence under King Cnut the Great, effectively becoming the kingdom’s chief magnate and the most powerful man in England after the king himself. Upon his father's death in 1053, Harold inherited the vast earldom of Wessex, making him the wealthiest and most formidable noble in England. Beyond his inherited power, Harold also served as a trusted advisor and brother-in-law to King Edward the Confessor (through his sister Edith of Wessex's marriage to Edward), solidifying his political influence and experience in governance. He had also successfully commanded English armies in campaigns, notably against Welsh incursions, further cementing his military credentials.

The Succession Crisis and Harold's Coronation

The year 1066 began with a profound crisis: King Edward the Confessor died childless on January 5, 1066. This lack of a direct heir immediately plunged England into uncertainty, as several powerful figures laid claim to the throne, including William, Duke of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway. However, the Witenagemot – the venerable Anglo-Saxon council of leading nobles, ecclesiastics, and royal officials – swiftly convened to address the succession. On January 6, 1066, demonstrating their trust in his leadership and proven experience, the Witenagemot formally elected Harold Godwinson as king. His coronation, likely held on the same day or very soon after, held immense symbolic significance; Harold II was very probably the first English monarch to be crowned in the newly consecrated Westminster Abbey, a grand church commissioned by Edward the Confessor himself.

The Perilous Year of Three Kings: Harold's Two-Front War

Harold's nascent reign was immediately challenged by powerful rivals, setting the stage for one of the most eventful years in English history. In late September 1066, England faced a severe threat from the north. Harald Hardrada, the formidable King of Norway and a claimant to the English throne, launched a large-scale invasion of Northumbria alongside Harold's estranged brother, Tostig Godwinson, who had been exiled. Demonstrating incredible strategic acumen and military speed, King Harold rapidly force-marched his army over 185 miles (approximately 300 km) north from London. On September 25, 1066, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York, Harold achieved a decisive victory, annihilating the Norwegian forces and killing both Harald Hardrada and Tostig. This triumph secured England's northern border, but came at a tremendous cost in terms of manpower and the physical exhaustion of his battle-hardened troops.

However, the brief respite after Stamford Bridge was shattered by dire news from the south. Just two days after his northern victory, Harold learned that William, Duke of Normandy, had successfully landed his invasion fleet at Pevensey Bay in Sussex on September 28, also asserting his claim to the English crown. Despite his army's extreme weariness from the arduous march north and the brutal battle, Harold was compelled to immediately reverse course, force-marching his depleted forces over 250 miles (approximately 400 km) back south. This extraordinary feat of endurance brought his army to meet William's Normans near Hastings.

The Battle of Hastings and the End of an Era

On October 14, 1066, Harold Godwinson faced William the Conqueror in what would become the legendary Battle of Hastings. The English forces, exhausted but resolute, took up a strong defensive position on Senlac Hill. The battle was fiercely contested for an entire day, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Norman cavalry charges and archer volleys repeatedly assaulted the English shield wall. Ultimately, Harold suffered a fatal injury, traditionally believed to be an arrow to the eye, leading to the collapse of English resistance and a decisive Norman victory.

The Legacy of Harold Godwinson and the Norman Conquest

Harold Godwinson's death at the Battle of Hastings was more than just the demise of a king; it marked the cataclysmic end of Anglo-Saxon England. For centuries, England had been shaped by its unique Anglo-Saxon language (Old English), culture, and system of governance, including the Witenagemot and a shire-based administration. William the Conqueror's victory and subsequent coronation as King of England on Christmas Day 1066 initiated a profound and irreversible transformation. The Norman Conquest brought fundamental changes to English society, including the introduction of Norman French as the language of the ruling class (which significantly influenced the development of Modern English), a new feudal system of land tenure, distinct architectural styles (like Romanesque cathedrals), and a significant shift in legal and administrative practices. While Harold's reign was tragically short, his valiant stand against overwhelming odds and his leadership during a year of unprecedented challenges encapsulate the spirit of Anglo-Saxon resistance and remain a defining moment in British history, forever associated with the pivotal year 1066.

Frequently Asked Questions About King Harold II

Who was Harold Godwinson?
Harold Godwinson, also known as Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon King of England, reigning for a brief but historically significant period in 1066.
When did Harold Godwinson reign?
He reigned from January 6, 1066, the day after King Edward the Confessor's death, until his own death on October 14, 1066, at the Battle of Hastings.
How did Harold Godwinson become king?
After King Edward the Confessor died without a direct heir, the Witenagemot, an Anglo-Saxon council of leading figures and advisors, elected Harold Godwinson to succeed him. He was then crowned, likely at Westminster Abbey.
What was the Battle of Hastings?
The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was the decisive engagement between Harold Godwinson's English forces and William the Conqueror's Norman invasion army. Harold's defeat and death in this battle directly led to the Norman Conquest of England and marked a turning point in English history.
What was the significance of Harold Godwinson's death?
His death at Hastings effectively ended Anglo-Saxon rule in England. It paved the way for the Norman monarchy and William the Conqueror's reign, bringing profound and lasting changes to England's language, culture, laws, social structure, and political landscape.
Who were Harold Godwinson's main rivals for the throne in 1066?
Harold faced two major rivals in 1066: Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, who invaded from the north; and William, Duke of Normandy (later William the Conqueror), who invaded from the south.