King Harold II (1022-1066) and Wifes (Edith the Fair & Edith of Mercia)

[Blog Real]

Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066[1] until his death at the Battle of Hastings, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England. His death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule over England.

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Godwinson

King of the English:
Reign: 5 January – 14 October 1066
Coronation: 6 January 1066
Predecessor: Edward the Confessor
Successor: William I
Born: c. 1022
Wessex, England
Died: 14 October 1066 (aged about 44)
near Senlac Hill, Sussex, England
Burial: Waltham Abbey, Essex, or Bosham, Sussex (disputed)
Wifes:
Edith the Fair
Edith of Mercia
Children:
Godwin
Edmund
Magnus
Gunhild
Gytha
Harold
Ulf
House: Godwin
Father: Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Mother: Gytha Thorkelsdóttir

Edith the Fair

Edith the Fair (Old English: Ealdgȳð Swann hnesce, "Edyth the Gentle Swan"; c. 1025 – c. 1066), also known as Edith Swanneck, one of the wealthiest magnates in England on the eve of the Norman conquest, may also have been the first wife of King Harold Godwinson. "Swanneck" (or Swan-Neck) comes from the folk etymology which made her in Old English as swann hnecca, "swan neck", which was actually most likely a corrupted form of swann hnesce, "Gentle Swan". She is sometimes confused with Ealdgyth, daughter of Earl Ælfgar of Mercia, who was queen during Harold's reign.

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_the_Fair

Edith of Mercia

Ealdgyth (fl. c. 1057–1066), also Aldgyth or Edith in modern English, was a daughter of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia, the wife of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (d. 1063), ruler of all Wales, and later the wife and queen consort of Harold Godwinson, king of England in 1066. She was described by William of Jumièges as a considerable beauty.

More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ealdgyth_(daughter_of_Ælfgar,_Earl_of_Mercia)

 

[CyrilVladisla]

An illustration of King Harold II
http://www.alamy.com/king-harold-ii-image5070630.html

 

[An Ard Ri]

Harold's death was immortalised on the Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the king being killed by an arrow in the eye.

The site of his burial is disputed as either Battle Abbey in East Sussex or Waltham Abbey in Essex.
His mother Gytha Thorkelsdóttir,Countess of Wessex outlived him and died in 1069 and his widow Edith of Mercia was last mentioned after the battle of Hastings as she was sent to Chester for shelter.