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King of England, reigning Country: Great Britain

Content:

1. Biography of Harold II, King of England ()
2. An Unexpected Revelation
3. The Crown of England
4. Facing Multiple Wars
5. The Battle of Stamford Bridge
6. The Battle of Hastings
7. The Final Battle

Biography of Harold II, King of England ()

The Rise to Power

Harold II, the Earl of Wessex, was one of the most influential nobles during the last years of King Edward III's reign.

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King harold death

In , shortly before the king's death, Harold obtained permission to travel to Normandy to visit his relatives who were held there as hostages. However, his journey proved to be arduous and dangerous. His ship was wrecked in a storm, and he miraculously survived only to become a prisoner of Count Guy of Ponthieu. Duke William of Normandy purchased Harold's freedom and treated him with utmost respect.

King harold 2 biography sample form Harold succeeded his father Earl Godwine in as Earl of Wessex.. He had no bloodline to the throne but his sister Edith was married to King Edward the Confessor. In January when Edward died childless, the Witan or Witenagemot a council of high-ranking religious and secular men elected Harold to succeed him and one day later he was crowned King Harold II. William of Normandy claimed that he had been promised the throne by his relative Edward and that in Harold had sworn allegiance to support his claim. On hearing of Harold's coronation William prepared to invade England to claim the throne.

In return, Harold joined the Normans in a campaign in Brittany.

An Unexpected Revelation

During their time together, William revealed to Harold that he had once visited the childless English King Edward the Confessor and claimed that Edward had promised him the throne. Harold, according to chroniclers, was surprised by this news, as he had never heard of Edward's intention to name the Norman duke as his heir.

Nevertheless, Harold pretended to consider this move reasonable. William then directly asked Harold if he was willing to support his claim and provide assistance.

King harold 2: Harold II (born c. —died October 14, , near Hastings, Sussex, England) was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. A strong ruler and a skilled general, he held the crown for nine months in before he was killed at the Battle of Hastings by Norman invaders under William the Conqueror.

In a difficult position, Harold had to promise his support and took an oath in the presence of holy relics.

The Crown of England

In January , King Edward passed away. Before his death, he gathered the nobles and declared that Harold was the most worthy among them to receive the crown. The following day, after Edward's burial, the nobles and prelates elected Harold, the Earl of Wessex, as the King of England.

Archbishop Stigand crowned him.

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Upon the death of Edward the Confessor, a succession crisis instantly emerged with challenges from Harald Hardrada and William, Duke of Normandy. Harold Godwinson, the Earl of Wessex, had been elected by the witan of England to be the new monarch, however his position was far from secure and he even faced challenges from his own family. Born in the early s, Harold was the eldest son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex and Gytha, the daughter of a Danish chieftain. His family, on both Saxon and Danish sides, were extremely prominent and influential. When Godwin passed away in , whilst feasting with the king for Easter celebrations, Harold was left to inherit his position as the Earl of Wessex, making him one of the most powerful men in England, second only to the king.

During his short reign, Harold proved himself to be a just, wise, accessible, and proactive ruler who worked for the benefit of the country. He spared no effort to defend his right to the throne from external and internal enemies.

Facing Multiple Wars

Harold's older brother Tostig had been exiled from England while Edward was still alive.

Tostig sought refuge with the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada and convinced him to launch an attack against Harold. At the same time, Norman emissaries arrived in England, demanding that Harold fulfill his oath.

King harold 2 biography sample In , shortly before the king's death, Harold obtained permission to travel to Normandy to visit his relatives who were held there as hostages. However, his journey proved to be arduous and dangerous. His ship was wrecked in a storm, and he miraculously survived only to become a prisoner of Count Guy of Ponthieu. Duke William of Normandy purchased Harold's freedom and treated him with utmost respect. In return, Harold joined the Normans in a campaign in Brittany.

Harold argued that he had made the promise under duress and had no right to dispose of what was not his to give. In response, William announced that he would come that same year to claim what was rightfully his and pursue the oathbreaker on land and sea. Thus, Harold found himself facing two formidable wars against powerful and renowned adversaries.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Throughout the summer, Harold remained on the southeast coast, monitoring William's movements.

The long-awaited Norman invasion caused great concern among the Anglo-Saxons. However, the Normans were delayed by unfavorable winds. Meanwhile, news arrived of a Norwegian landing in the north of England. Harold swiftly marched with his best warriors to confront them. He reached York just as the city was about to surrender to Harald Hardrada.

King harold 2 biography sample pdf His brief but impactful rule came to an end in with the Norman Victory, which permanently changed the political and social scene of the country. Harold was a tragic, bold, and brilliant strategist who administered for less than a year. Harold was raised in one of the most influential families in England and was prepared for a leadership role. Harold obtained early leadership and military abilities that would help him rise to the throne. It looks at his background and the impact of the Godwin family.

The following day, a battle ensued, during which the Norwegian king was killed by an arrow. Tostig and most of the Norwegian leaders perished as well. Harald, the son of Harald Hardrada, made peace with the English king and sailed away with the remaining survivors.

The Battle of Hastings

Harold, wounded from the previous battle, rested in York for a few days until he learned of William's landing near Hastings.

He immediately set off south, gathering forces along the way. If Harold had more time, he could have easily assembled an army of , men. However, a significant portion of the Saxons failed to join him, and in the decisive battle that would determine the fate of England, the Saxons faced four times fewer soldiers compared to the Normans.

The Saxons took a defensive position on hills seven miles away from the Norman camp.

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Harald II biography. King of England, reigning 1066

Harold ordered the fortification of the position with trenches and palisades.

The Final Battle

At dawn on October 14, the Normans began their assault on the Saxon defenses. Initially, the Saxons, protected by the tall palisades, held firm and repelled all attacks. In an attempt to lure them out, the Duke ordered his troops to simulate a retreat, only to suddenly turn around and pounce on the pursuing Saxons.

The Normans managed to breach the walls and poured onto the hills, leading to a bloody massacre. Trying to hold back the attackers, Harold and his two brothers fell dead at the foot of their banner.