THE HOUSE OF GODWIN IN NORWAY

After 1066, three grandsons of Earl Godwin immigrated to Norway. They were Earl Tostig's stepson Skuli and son Ketil, who came to Norway in 1067 under the protection of King Olaf III, and King Harold's son Harold, who became a member of King Magnus III's retinue. Skuli and Ketil were installed at Rein in Trøndelag (Central Norway) and Torgar in Hålogaland (Northern Norway), respectively, establishing the Rein dynasty and the Torgar dynasty as cadet branches of the House of Godwin.

The following families have been identified as cadet branches of the Torgar dynasty and by extension the House of Godwin, meaning that they are patrilineal descendants of Godwin. Today, these families comprise thousands of men who—thousand years later—still have English Y-chromosomal DNA. These families are concentrated in the southern parts of Nordland, but also appear in northern Nordland and southern Troms. In the 20th century, a line established itself in the United States.

1) The Grøva familiy of Vefsn, Nordland.
See: Nils Person of Grøva

2) The Sørra family of Alstahaug, Nordland.
See: Hans Aronsen Aronsen, Sørra

3) The Berg family of Rana, Nordland.
See: Anders Andersen Berg

4) The Granheia family of Rana, Nordland.
See: Østen Erichsen, D.E. Granheia

5) The Leyer family of Andøy, Nordland.
See: Peder Nielsen Leijer

6) The Marskaret family of Tjeldsund, Nordland.
See: Nils Johnsen

7) The Rossfjord family of Senja, Troms.
See: Ole Johnsen / Ole Jonssen

Source: Martinsen, Andre VII 2024. But the Godwins Weren't Dead : Supported by Historical and DNA Evidence, this Book Explores How England’s Royal House Came to Norway in 1067 and Has Thousands of Members Living Today ISBN: 9781446136126 URL: https://www.lulu.com/shop/andre-vii-martinsen/but-the-godwins-weren...

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• https://historytheinterestingbits.com/2018/11/15/gytha-of-wessex-an...
• http://genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00080021&tree=LEO

Married Gytha Thorgilsdottir

• http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20nobility.ht...

GODWIN, son of WULFNOTH & his wife --- ([993]-Winchester 15 Apr 1053, bur Winchester Old Minster[398]).

According to Florence of Worcester, Earl Godwin was son of Wulfnoth[399]. Ætheling Æthelstan, under his will dated [1014], made a bequest to "Godwine, Wulfnoth's son, the estate at Compton which his father possessed", listed second among the bequests to non-members of the royal family[400]. Installed as Earl in 1018 by King Canute, and as bajulus[401] over almost the whole kingdom[402]. He heads the lists of witnesses to all the king's lay charters after 1023[403], indicating an unrivalled position of power. By the end of King Canute's reign he was referred to as Ealdorman of Wessex[404]. He supported Queen Emma in opposing the accession of King Harold I in 1036[405]. He appears to have played a major role in the accession and acceptance in England of King Edward "the Confessor" in 1042, and in 1045 married his daughter to the king. However, his relations with the king became tense following a dispute over the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury in 1050. In 1051, Earl Godwin refused the king's order to punish an affray at Canterbury, in which one of the men of Eustache Comte de Boulogne was killed.

The dispute escalated, and 1 Sep 1051 Godwin and his two older sons made a show of force to the king near Tetbury. Earls Leofric and Siward rallied to the king's support, and battle was avoided. Godwin and his family were given five days' safe conduct to leave the country by the King's Council held on 8 Sep 1051[406].

He fled with his wife and sons Svein, Tostig and Gyrth to Bruges. Godwin returned with an army in Sep 1052, joined forces with his son Harold who returned from Ireland, and sailed into London. The family gathered popular support and was fully reinstated[407]. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that Earl Godwin died soon after, three days after suffering a stroke[408]. Florence of Worcester records his death and burial at Winchester[409].

m (1019) GYTHA, daughter of THORGIL Sprakalegg & his wife --- (-St Omer after 1069). She is named by Florence of Worcester[410]. Her origin is deduced from Ulf Jarl of Denmark being described as the uncle of her son Svein by Florence of Worcester[411]. Morkinskinna names “Gytha, the daughter of Thorgils sprakaleggr and the sister of Jarl Úlfr” as the wife of “Godwin”[412]. Adam of Bremen records that "Wolf sororem" married "duci Gudvino", and was mother of "ducis Suein, Tostin et Haroldum [genuit parricidas]"[413], although this last reference is unexplained. She was living in Exeter when King William I attacked it in 1068. She took refuge at Flat Holme, an island in the Bristol Channel[414]. Florence of Worcester records that "Gytha…comitissa…mater Haroldi regis Anglorum ac soror Suani regis Danorum" fled to Flanders, in a passage dealing with events in early 1068[415]. She became a nun at Saint-Omer. According to Orderic Vitaliis, she "secretly gathered together a great store of treasure and … fled to France never to return"[416].

Godwin & his wife had ten children:

1. EADGYTH ([1020/22]-Winchester 18 Dec 1075, bur Westminster Abbey). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that in 1045 "king Edward took to wife Edith the daughter of Earl Godwin, ten days before Candlemas"[417]. She was educated in Wilton nunnery. Florence of Worcester records that her husband repudiated her in 1051 when he sent the rest of her family into exile and sent her "in disgrace with only a single handmaid" to Wherwell Abbey[418]. She was brought back to court when her father was restored the following year[419]. She commissioned the Vita Ædwardi Regis from a foreign clerk, probably from Saint-Omer, setting out the history of her family. She continued to live around Winchester after the Norman conquest, and appears to have been treated well by King William I[420]. Florence of Worcester records the death "XIV Kal Jan" in [1074] of "Edgitha regis Haroldi germana quondam Anglorum regina" at Winchester and her burial at Westminster[421]. m (23 Jan 1045) EDWARD "the Confessor" King of England, son of ÆTHELRED II King of England & his second wife Emma of Normandy ([1005]-Palace of Westminster 5 Jan 1066, bur Westminster Abbey).

2. SVEIN ([1021/23]-Constantinople[422] 29 Sep 1052). Florence of Worcester specifies that Svein was the eldest son of "earl Godwin and Githa"[423]. He was created Earl in Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire and Somerset in 1043 by King Edward "the Confessor". He led an expedition into South Wales in 1046, allied with Gruffydd ap Llywellyn King of Gwynedd in North Wales. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that he seduced Eadgifu Abbess of Leominster on his way back[424], for which he was outlawed by King Edward, who divided his earldom between his brother Harold and his cousin Bjørn Ulfsen. The Chronicle records that Svein fled to Bruges in 1047, then to Denmark the year after[425]. He returned to England in 1049, murdered his cousin Bjørn Ulfsen, and was exiled again in 1049 by an assembly of the whole army at Sandwich, this time taking refuge with Baudouin IV Count of Flanders[426]. After his father secured his recall in [1050], he was pardoned and partially reinstated[427]. After joining his father's threatened armed rebellion against the king in 1051, he was outlawed yet again and fled with his parents to Bruges. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he died while returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem[428], before the family's restoration. According to Florence of Worcester[429], Svein died "in Lycia from illness brought on by the severity of the cold". Svein is not mentioned in the Vita Ædwardi, commissioned by his sister Queen Eadgyth, presumably because his dissolute life was considered best forgotten. Svein had one illegitimate child, maybe by EADGIFU Abbess of Leominster, whom he was refused permission to marry.

a) HAAKON ([1046/47]-after 1065). "Hacun filius Suani filii sui [Godwini]" was sent as a hostage to Normandy in 1051, possibly after Duke Guillaume II's visit to England[430]. Eadmer of Canterbury records that he was freed and returned to England with his uncle Harold Godwinsson in [1064/65][431].

3. HAROLD ([1022/25]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066, bur [Waltham Abbey]). His parentage is confirmed in several places in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle[432]. He succeeded as HAROLD II King of England and was crowned 6 Jan 1066.

- KINGS of ENGLAND.

4. TOSTIG ([1025/30]-killed in battle Stamford Bridge 25 Sep 1066). After joining his father's threatened armed rebellion against the king in 1051, Tostig fled to Bruges with his parents, although he returned the following year. He was created Earl of Northumbria in 1055 to succeed Earl Siward[433]. Northumbria rebelled against him in Oct 1065, after several years of Scottish raids which Tostig had failed to halt. In his place, the thegns of Yorkshire elected Morcar, younger brother of Edwin Earl of Mercia, as Earl of Northumbria. King Edward attempted unsuccessfully to crush the rebellion on Tostig's behalf, but Tostig was forced to flee to Flanders with his wife in Dec 1065[434]. Baudouin V Count of Flanders installed him as castellan of Saint-Omer[435]. Returning to England in search of revenge, he was repulsed from landing at Sandwich in Kent in May 1066, ravaged Norfolk and then sailed to the Humber where he was defeated by Edwin Earl of Mercia. Tostig sailed to Scotland, where he joined forces with Harald III "Hardråde" King of Norway who had recently arrived to invade England. Morkinskinna records that Tostig first sailed to Denmark to seek report from King Svend II, and then to Norway to King Harald III, sending “Gunnhildr´s son Guthormr” to offer Northumbria to the king in return for his help[436]. After defeating the Northumbrians at Gate Fulford near York 20 Sep 1066, their combined army was defeated by King Harold's forces at Stamford Bridge 25 Sep 1066, where both he and the Norwegian king were killed[437]. m (before Sep 1051[438]%29 as her first husband, JUDITH de Flandre, daughter of BAUDOUIN IV Count of Flanders & his second wife [El%C3%A9onore] de Normandie ([1033]-5 Mar 1094, bur St Martin Monastery). The Annalista Saxo names "Iudhita…amita Rodberti comitis de Flandria ex cognatione beati Ethmundi regis" as husband of "Haroldi" (in error for Tostig) but correctly names her second husband "Welphus filius Azzonis marchionis Italorum"[439]. The Genealogia Welforum names "filiam comitis Flandrie, reginam Anglie, Iuditam nomine" as wife of Welf[440]. Florence of Worcester says that Judith was "daughter of Baldwin Count of Flanders" but does not specify which Count Baldwin nor is this clear from the context[441]. According to the Vita Ædwardi Regis, she was the sister of Count Baudouin V[442]. Alberic de Trois Fontaines asserts that Judith was one of the children of Baudouin V Count of Flanders and his wife Adela de France[443], but there are other clear errors in his listing of this couple's children so the statement should be viewed with caution. Judith is also listed as the daughter of Count Baudouin V (after Mathilde) in a manuscript whose attribution to Orderic Vitalis is disputed, which also shows her first marriage[444]. Judith moved to Denmark after her first husband was killed. The Chronicon of Bernold records the death "1094 IV Non Mar" of "Iuditha uxor ducis Welfonis Baioariæ" and her burial "apud monasterium…Sancti Martini" built by her husband[445]. The necrology of Raitenbuch records the death "III Non Mar" of "Iudinta regina Anglie, filia marchionis de Este uxor Welfonis nostri fundatoris"[446], exaggerating her status resulting from her first marriage and confusing her paternity. The necrology of Weingarten records the death "III Non Mar" of "Judita dux regina Anglie"[447], also exaggerating her status resulting from her first marriage. Tostig & his wife had [--- children]:

a) infant children . According to the Vita Ædwardi Regis, the children of Tostig and Judith were "unweaned" when their father died[448].

Tostig had [three] [probably illegitimate] children:

b) SKULI "kongsfostre" . Snorre names "Skule, a son of Earl Toste, who since has been called the king's foster-son, and his brother Ketil Krok…of high family in England" when recording that they accompanied Olav King of Norway[449], the context suggesting that he and his brother were at least young adults at the time. If this is correct, they must have been their father's illegitimate sons and were not the "unweaned" children referred to above. Morkinskinna records that “Skúli, the son of Jarl Tostig Godwinson, and Ketill krókr from Hálogaland came to Norway” with Olaf III King of Norway after the failed invasion of England in 1066[450]. Morkinskinna records that “not long after King Haraldr´s fall Skúli went west to England to ask for the return of King Haraldr´s body” which was “readily granted to him”[451].

- NORWEGIAN NOBILITY.

c) [KETIL "krókr" . Snorre names "Skule, a son of Earl Toste, who since has been called the king's foster-son, and his brother Ketil Krok…of high family in England" when recording that they accompanied Olav King of Norway[452], the context suggesting that he and his brother were at least young adults at the time. If this is correct, they must have been their father's illegitimate sons and were not the "unweaned" children referred to above. Morkinskinna records that “Skúli, the son of Jarl Tostig Godwinson, and Ketill krókr from Hálogaland came to Norway” with Olav III King of Norway after the failed invasion of England in 1066, without specifying any relationship between Skuli and Ketil[453]. One possibility is that Ketil was the uterine brother of Skuli and not the son of Tostig. Morkinskinna records that King Olav III “arranged a good marriage for Ketil and appointed him a district chieftain in the north”, adding that “many distinguished men are descended from Ketil”[454]. m ---. Morkinskinna records that Olav III King of Norway “arranged a good marriage for Ketil”[455]. The name of Ketil´s wife is not known.]

d) [OLAV (-1066 or after). Simeon of Durham names "Tosti's son Olave and earl from the isle of Orkney named Paul" in 1066[456]. The reference to this son named Olav has not been corroborated in other sources so far consulted.]

5. GYRTH ([1032]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066[457]). Florence of Worcester records that he fled with his parents to Bruges in 1051, after the family's disgrace[458]. He was appointed Earl of the East Angles in 1057, in succession to Earl Ælfgar who had succeeded his father as Earl of Mercia. After Gyrth's death, his lands were given to Ralph "the Staller" by William I King of England.

6. [%C3%86LFGAR . Orderic Vitalis names Ælfgar after Gyrth and before Leofwine in his list of the children of Earl Godwin[459]. He is not named among Earl Godwin's sons by Florence of Worcester[460] and no other reference to him has so far been found.].

7. LEOFWINE (-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066457). Florence of Worcester records that he fled to Ireland with his brother Harold in 1051, after the family's disgrace[461]. He was appointed Earl of Kent and Essex in 1057. After his death, the county of Kent was awarded to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, half-brother of William I King of England.

8. WULFNOTH ([1036/46][462]-Feb [1094][463]). Eadmer records that "Wulfnothus itaque filius Godwini" was sent as a hostage to Normandy with his nephew Haakon in 1051[464], possibly after Duke Guillaume II's visit to England but presumably before Sep of that year as he is not named among the sons of Godwin who fled England on the family's disgrace. His brother Harold unsuccessfully negotiated for his release in [1064/65] during his visit to Duke Guillaume's court[465]. Florence of Worcester records that "comites Morkarum et Rogerum, Siwardum cognomento Barn, et Wlnothum regis Haroldi germanum" were released by King William on his deathbed in 1087[466]. He was taken to England by King William II but placed in confinement again in Winchester.

9. GUNHILD (-Bruges 24 Aug 1087). Having taken a vow of chastity, she went to Saint-Omer in Flanders after 1066, then Bruges before moving to Denmark. She returned to Bruges before she died[467].

10. ÆLFGIFU (-before Jan 1066[468]). During the period of captivity of her brother Harold Godwinsson at the court of Guillaume II Duke of Normandy, Harold promised one of his sisters in marriage to one of Duke Guillaume's nobles[469], most probably Ælfgifu. She is mentioned by name in Domesday Book.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Godwin (sometimes Godwine) (c.1001 - April 15, 1053), was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of Harold II and of Edith of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor.

[edit]

Biography

Godwin was a seventh generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex (c. 837-871). Ethelred was succeeded by his younger brother Alfred the Great because his own son Aethelhelm of Wessex (c. 870-927) was still a minor at the time of his death. Aethelhelm was later granted lands by his uncle but was never able to claim the throne. His daughter Elfleda of Wessex (c.890-918) however became Queen consort to King Edward the Elder (c.871-924).

Her brother Aethelfrith of Wessex (c.900-927) lived the life of a common landlord. His son Eadric of Wessex was granted possession of Washington in the South Downs of West Sussex. His own son Aethelwerd of Wessex (c.930-998) is known as "the Historian". Aethelmar Cild (c.960-1015), son of the later, was a benefactor of Eynsham Abbey. His son was Wulfnoth Cild (c.983-1015) who was Thegn of Sussex but is otherwise obscure. Godwin was son to Wulfnoth.

Around 1014, Godwin was first married to Thyra Sveinsdóttir, daughter of Sweyn I , King of Denmark, Norway and England. Thyra however died in 1018. Her death apparently did not prevent her brother Canute from creating Godwin Earl of Wessex during the same year.

In 1019, Godwin was married again to Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth. The marriage resulted in the birth of at least twelve children:

Driella of Wessex (c. 1019)

Edith of Wessex, (c. 1020 - December 19, 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Mercia (c. 1021 - 1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Canute the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

Harold II of England (c. 1022 - October 14, 1066)

Gungilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1024 - 1080)

Ylgiva of Wessex (c. 1025)

Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026 - September 25, 1066).

Ydgiva of Wessex (c. 1028)

Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1032 - October 14, 1066)

Leofwine Godwinson , Earl of Kent (c. 1035 - October 14, 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1036 - 1087)

Ylfgar of Wessex (c. 1038)

On November 12, 1035, Canute died. His kingdoms were divided among three rival rulers. Harold Harefoot, illegitimate son by Aelgifu of Northampton, usurped the throne of England. Harthacanute, legitimate son by Emma of Normandy, reigned in Denmark. Norway rebelled under Magnus the Noble. On 1037, the throne of England was reportedly claimed by Alfred of Wessex, son of Emma of Normandy and Ethelred the Unready and half-brother of Harthacanute. Godwin is reported to have either captured Alfred himself or to have deceived him by pretending to be his ally and then surrendering him to the forces of Harold Harefoot. Either way Alfred was blinded and soon died.

On March 17, 1040, Harold Harefoot died and Godwin supported the accession of Harthacanute to the throne of England. When Harthacanute himself died (June 8, 1042), Godwin supported the claim of his half-brother Edward the Confessor to the throne. Edward was another son of Emma and Ethelred, having spent most of the previous thirtyyears in Normandy. His reign restored the native royal house of Wessex to the throne of England. Despite his alleged responsibility for the death of Edward's brother Alfred, Godwin secured the marriage of his daughter Edith (Eadgyth) to Edward in 1045. Godwin soon became the leader of opposition to growing Norman influence as Edward drew advisors, nobles and priests from his former place of refuge.

Exiled from the kingdom in September 1051 for refusing to punish the people of Dover for a violent clash with the visiting Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, Godwin returned the following year with an armed force, compelling Edward to restore his earldom.

On April 15, 1053, Godwin died. His son Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, an area then covering roughly the southernmost third of England. Harold later succeeded Edward the Confessor and became King of England in his own right.

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Godwin, earl av Wessex

Från Wikipedia

Godwin, född ca 1001, död 5 april 1053, var en av de mäktigaste adelsmännen i England under Knut den store och hans efterträdare. Knut gjorde honom till den förste earlen av Wessex. Godwin var far till Harald II, Tostig Godwinson och Edith av Wessex, Edvard Bekännarens drottning.

Godwin var den sjunde generationens ättling till kung Ethelred av Wessex, Alfred den stores äldre bror. Hans ättlingar förbisågs i den kungliga successionsordningen, men blev framstående adelsmän i kungariket. Godwins far var Wulfnoth Cild (ca 983-1015) thegn av Sussex. Wulfnoth ledde en del av den kungliga flottan till sjöröveri, vilket fick konsekvensen att hans landområden förverkades och att han landsförvisades. Det ankom därefter på hans unge son, Godwin, att förbättra familjens förmögenhet efter faderns död 1014.

Godwin stödde Edmund Järnsida, kung Ethelred den rådvilles son. Då Edmund revolterade mot fadern, invaderade Knut den store England. Edmund dödades tillsammans med många av sina anhängare, men Godwin undkom och svor trohet till Knut den store. Han blev en av Knuts rådgivare och följde honom till Danmark för att kväsa ett uppror där. 1022 gifte han sig med Knuts syster, Thyra Sveinsdóttir. Hon dog strax därefter, men Godwin fortsatte att vinna anseende och 1023 var han den mäktigaste earlen i England.

Godwin gifte sig med en annan dansk adelsdam, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, barnbarn till den legendariske vikingen Styrbjörn Starke och barnbarnsbarn till Harald Blåtand. Äktenskapet ledde till många barn:

1.Sweyn Godwinson, earl av Mercia (ca. 1025-1052). Han hävdade att han var Knut den stores illegitime son, men detta anses vara falskt.

2.Harald II av England (ca. 1022-14 oktober 1066)

3.Tostig Godwinson, earl av Northumbria (ca. 1026-25 september 1066).

4.Edith av Wessex, (ca. 1030- 19 december 1075), Edvard Bekännarens drottning

5.Gyrth Godwinson (ca. 1030-14 oktober 1066)

6.Gunhilda av Wessex, (ca. 1035-1080), nunna

7.Ælfgifu av Wessex (ca.1035)

8.Leofwine Godwinson, earl av Kent (ca. 1035-14 oktober 1066)

9.Wulfnoth Godwinson (ca.1040)

12 november 1035 dog Knut den store. Hans kungarike delades upp mellan tre rivaliserande härskare. Harald Harfot, en illegitim son med Aelgifu av Northampton, tillskanskade sig Englands tron medan Hardeknut, en legitim son med Emma av Normandie regerade i Danmark. Norge gjorde uppror genom Magnus I av Norge. 1037 krävde Emmas och Ethelreds son, Hardeknuts halvbror, Alfred av Wessex tronen. Godwin ska antingen själv ha gripit Alfred eller lurat honom att vara en allierad och överlämnat honom till Harald Harfots trupper. I alla händelser gjordes Alfred blind och han dog inom kort.

17 mars 1040 dog Harald Harfot, varefter Godwin stödde Hardeknut som tronföljare. Då Hardeknut i sin tur dog 8 juni 1042 stödde Godwin hans halvbrors, Edvard Bekännaren tronanspråk. Edvard var ytterligare en son till Ethelred och Emma som hade tillbringat större delen av de gångna trettio åren i Normandie. Hans regering återställde den kungliga familjen Wessex på den engelska tronen. Trots Godwins ansvar för Edvards bror Alfreds död säkrade makten genom giftermålet mellan sin dotter Eadgyth (Edith av Wessex) 1045. Godwin blev ledare för oppositionen mot det ökande normandiska inflytandet, då Edvard anlitade rådgivare, adelsmän och präster från sin tidigare tillflyktsort.

Godwin landsförvisades från kungariket i september 1051 för att han vägrat att straffa folket i Dover för en våldsam sammandrabbning med den besökande Eustace II, greve av Bologna. Godwin återvände dock följande år och tvingade med militära styrkor Edvard att återställa hans samhällsposition.

Godwin dog 15 april 1053. Hans son Harald efterträdde honom som earl av Wessex, ett område som på den tiden täckte den södra tredjedelen av England. Harald efterträdde senare Edvard Bekännaren och blev kung av England.

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Godwin, Earl of Wessex

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Godwin (sometimes Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn, Goodwyn and sometimes known as Godwin of Wessex) (c. 1001–April 15, 1053), was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of Harold II and of Edith of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor.

Contents [hide]

1 Rise: support of Edmund, then Canute

2 Height of power: support of Harold

3 Later conflicts, decline, and death

4 Progeny

4.1 Family Trees

5 Sources

6 External links

[edit] Rise: support of Edmund, then Canute

Godwin's father was probably Wulfnoth Cild, Cild being a nickname (c. 983-1015) who was Thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl. Wulfnoth was supposedly a sixth generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex (also caled Aethelred I), the elder brother of Alfred the Great; Ethelred's descendants were passed over in the royal succession, but became prominent nobles in the kingdom. The patrilineal descent of Godwin from a King of Wessex is still being researched, however, and should not be taken as certain. Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. It was left to his young son, Godwin, to improve the family fortunes after his father's death in 1014. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Aethelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Canute and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Canute. He befriended Canute's brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, and became one of Canute's advisors, accompanying him to Denmark to suppress a rebellion there. By 1018 he was an earl, becoming Earl of the West Saxons in about 1019. In 1022 he married Thyra Sveinsdóttir (also called Thyra Swensdottir), Canute's sister. She died soon afterwards without issue, but Godwin continued to gain prestige and by 1023 he was the most powerful earl in England.

[edit] Height of power: support of Harold

On November 12, 1035, Canute died. His kingdoms were divided among three rival rulers. Harold Harefoot, Canute's illegitimate son by Aelgifu of Northampton, seized the throne of England. Harthacanute, Canute's legitimate son by Emma of Normandy, reigned in Denmark. Norway rebelled under Magnus the Noble. In 1037, the throne of England was reportedly claimed by Alfred of Wessex, younger son of Emma of Normandy and Ethelred the Unready and half-brother of Harthacanute. Godwin is reported to have either captured Alfred himself or to have deceived him by pretending to be his ally and then surrendering him to the forces of Harold Harefoot. Either way Alfred was blinded and soon died at Ely.

On March 17, 1040, Harold Harefoot died and Godwin supported the accession of his half-brother Harthacanute to the throne of England. When Harthacanute himself died (June 8, 1042), Godwin finally supported the claim of his half-brother Edward the Confessor to the throne. Edward was another son of Emma and Ethelred, having spent most of the previous thirty years in Normandy. His reign restored the native royal house of Wessex to the throne of England.

[edit] Later conflicts, decline, and death

Despite his alleged responsibility for the death of Edward's brother Alfred, Godwin secured the marriage of his daughter Edith (Eadgyth) to Edward in 1045. As Edward drew advisors, nobles and priests from his former place of refuge in a bid to develop his own power base, Godwin soon became the leader of opposition to growing Norman influence. After a violent clash between the people of Dover and the visiting Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, Edward's new brother-in-law, Godwin was ordered to punish the people of Dover (as he and Earl Leofric had done in Worcester, in Leofric's own earldom). This time, however, Godwin refused, choosing to champion his own countrymen against a (visiting) foreign ruler and his own king. Edward rightly saw this as a test of power, and managed to enlist the support of the other earls Earl Siward from Northumbria and Earl Leofric from Mercia. Godwin and his sons were exiled from the kingdom in September 1051. However, they returned the following year with an armed force, which gained the support of the navy, burghers, and peasants, so compelling Edward to restore his earldom. This however set a precedent to be followed by a rival earl some years later, and then by Godwin's own son in 1066.

On April 15, 1053, Godwin died at Winchester, supposedly while denying that he had any role in the death of the King's brother Alfred in 1036. His son Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, an area then covering roughly the southernmost third of England. With the death of Earl Siward (1055) and later Earl Algar (1062), the children of Godwin were poised to assume sole control. Tostig was helped into the earldom of Northumbria, thus controlling the north. The Mercian earl was sidelined, especially after Harold and Tostig broke the Welsh-Mercian alliance in 1063. Harold later succeeded Edward the Confessor and became King of England in his own right. At this point, both Harold's remaining brothers in England were earls in their own right, Harold was himself king and in control of Wessex, and he had married the sister of Earl Edwin of Mercia and Earl Morcar of Northumbria (who had succeeded his brother Tostig). Godwin's family looked set to inaugurate a new royal dynasty, much as the Capetians had replaced the Carolingians in France.

[edit] Progeny

Godwin married a second time to a Danish noblewoman, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (also known as Githa), said to be the granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark and thus also ancestor to King Canute. The marriage resulted in the birth of many children:

Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Canute the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

Harold II of England (c. 1022-October 14, 1066)

Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-September 25, 1066)

Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-December 19, 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-October 14, 1066)

Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080)

Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035)

Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-October 14, 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040)

Marigard of Wessex (February 6, 1033 - August 6, 1083)

[edit] Family Trees

House of Wessex family tree

Godwin family tree

Canute's family tree

[edit] Sources

Mason, Emma. The House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. Hambledon Press, 2003.

Stenton, F.M. Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford History of England), 2001.

Thorne, J.O. and Collocott, T.C. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Revised Edition. (Edinburgh: Chambers, 1984) ISBN 0-550-16010-8

Walker, Ian. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997.

Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700 by Frederick Lewis Weis, Lines: 1B-15, 1B-23, 1B-26, 166-23.

Peerage of England

New title Earl of Wessex

c. 1019–1053 Succeeded by

Harold Godwinson

New title Earl of Kent

1020–1053 Succeeded by

Leofwine Godwinson

---

Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn or Goodwyn (c. 1001–April 15, 1053) was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor.

Godwin's father was probably Wulfnoth Cild who was Thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl. Wulfnoth was supposedly a sixth generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex, the older brother of Alfred the Great; Ethelred's descendants were passed over in the royal succession, but became prominent nobles in the kingdom. However this descent of Godwin is still being researched, and should not be taken as certain. Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. It was left to his young son, Godwin, to improve the family fortunes after his father's death in 1014. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Ethelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Canute and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Canute. He befriended Canute's brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, and became one of Canute's advisors, accompanying him to Denmark to suppress a rebellion there. By 1018 he was an earl , becoming Earl of the Wessex in about 1019. In 1022 he married Thyra Sveinsdóttir (also called Thyra Swensdottir) Canute's sister. She died soon afterwards without issue, but Godwin continued to gain prestige and by 1023 he was the most powerful earl in England.

Godwin married a second time to a Danish noblewoman, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (also known as Githa), said to be the granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark and thus also ancestor to King Canute. The marriage resulted in the birth of many children:

Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Canute the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

Harold II of England (c. 1022-October 14, 1066)

Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-September 25, 1066)

Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-December 19, 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-October 14, 1066)

Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080)

Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035)

Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-October 14, 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040)

Marigard of Wessex (February 6, 1033 - August 6, 1083)

---

1.

Notes for Gudine Ulvnadson Jarl

An Anglo-Danish noble, he rose to power under Canute, after whose death Godwin supported the acession of Edward the Confessor and became a dominant figure in royal government. In 1045 his daughter Edith married Edward. He was overthrown in 1051 but regained his position by force in 1052. He was suceeded by his son Harold. Died of Apoplexy.

2.

Godwin av Wessex

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Godwin (noen ganger Godwine), jarl av Wessex (ca 1001 – 15. april 1053) var den mest betydningsfull høvdinger i England, etter monarken selv, under den danske kongen Knut den mektige og dennes etterfølgere. Kong Knut gjorde Godwin til den første jarl av Wessex. Godwin ble far til Harald Godwinson, den senere konge av England, og Edith av Wessex, hustru til kong Edvard Bekjenneren.

Innhold [skjul]

1 Begynnelsen: støtte til kong Edmund, deretter kong Knut

2 På høyden av sin makt: støtte til Harald Harefot

3 Senere konflikter: Nedgang og død

4 Ekteskap og barn

5 Referanser

6 Litteratur

7 Eksterne lenker

[rediger] Begynnelsen: støtte til kong Edmund, deretter kong Knut

Godwins far er sannsynligvis Wulfnoth Cild,[1] (ca 983-1015) som var thegn av Sussex [2], skjønt senere dokumenter har beskrevet Godwins far som en churl. [3] Wulfnoth var av kongelig angelsaksisk ætt som sjette generasjon etterkommer etter kong Ethelred av Wessex (837 - 871), den eldre bror av Alfred den store. Hans etterkommere ble forbipassert i den kongelige arvefølge, men ble prominente adelige i kongedømmet. Dette kongelige opphavet er omdiskutert, blir fortsatt forsket på og det er fortsatt heftet en del tvil til kravet.

Wulfnoth ledet en gruppe kongelige skip som gikk over til å drive piratvirksomhet og som en konsekvens ble hans land tapt og han selv drevet i landflyktighet. Det ble opp til hans sønn Godwin å forbedre familiens rikdom etter farens død i 1015. I sin tid ble Godwin sett på som en nykommer som gjorde sin «lykke» ved å inngå to giftemål med danske kvinner av høy rang og ætt.

Godwin var en sterk støttespiller til Edmund Jernside, sønn av kong Ethelred den rådville. Mens Edmund gjorde opprør mot sin far invaderte den danske kongen Knut den mektige England. Edmund ble drept sammen med mange av sine støttespillere, men Godwin overlevde og sverget sin troskap til kong Knut. Han ble venner med Knuts svoger, Ulf jarl, og ble en av Knuts rådgivere. Godwin fulgte Knut til Danmark for å slå ned et opprør der. Innen 1018 var han selv blitt jarl [4], ble jarl av West Saxon innen 1019. I 1022 var han i stand til å gifte seg med Tyra Sveinsdatter, Knut søster. Tyra døde kort tid etter uten å ha født en arving, men Godwin fortsatte å stige i betydning og prestisje og ved 1023 var han blitt den aller mektigste jarlen i England. Da giftet han seg igjen med en dansk kvinne av betydningsfull ætt: Gyda Torkelsdatter, datter av Torkel Styrbjørnsson som igjen var sønn av Styrbjørn Sterke og Tyra Haraldsdatter, og således en av kong Knuts kusiner.

[rediger] På høyden av sin makt: støtte til Harald Harefot

Dansk-angelsaksiske jarldømmer rundt 1025.Den 12. november 1035 døde Knut. Hans kongedømme, bestående av England, Danmark, Norge og deler av Sverige, gikk i oppløsning. Høvdingene i Norge hentet Magnus, sønn av Olav den hellige, til landet og Knuts sønn Svein Knutsson (eller Svein Alfivason som han også blir refert til) flyktet fra Norge. I England grep Harald Harefot, Knuts illegitime sønn med Ælfgifu Ælfhelmsdatter av Northampton (som også fødte Svein), makten og tronen. I Danmark satt Hardeknut, Knuts legitime sønn med dronning Emma av Normandie.

I 1037 ble den engelske tronen utfordret av Alfred av Wessex, den yngste sønnen til Ethelred den rådville i hans ekteskap med Emma av Normandie (og således halvbror til Hardeknut). Godwin skal ha fanget Alfred selv eller lurt ham ved å late som han var en alliert, og deretter utlevert ham til hærstyrken til kong Harald Harefot. Uansett ble Alfred blindet, mishandlet og døde snart ved Ely. En av de ansvarlige kan ha vært Godwins sønn Svein Godwinson, en mann med et iltert, kanskje psykotisk raseri, og som etter sigende skal ha drept sin egen fetter.

Den 17. mars 1040 døde Harald Harefot og Godwin støttet kroningen av hans halvbror Hardeknut da han kom til England. Da Hardeknut selv døde brått i en alder av 25 år den 8. juni 1042 uten en arving ga Godwin motvillig sin støtte til dennes halvbror Edvard Bekjenneren. Edvard var den andre sønnen til Emma og Ethelred II, og hadde tilbrakte det meste av sine tretti år i landflyktighet i Normandie. Edvards regime gjeninnførte det angelsaksiske huset av Wessex til den engelske tronen. Emma av Normandie hadde ingen stor kjærlighet til sine sønner med Ethelred II og skal ha støttet kravet til den norske kongen Magnus den gode, som da var blitt konge av Danmark, ved at denne hadde arverett til den engelske tronen etter Hardeknut. Også Godwin skal ha støttet dette kravet en stund.

[rediger] Senere konflikter: Nedgang og død

Til tross for at det ble påstått at Godwin var medansvarlig i drapet på kong Edvards bror Alfred sikret Godwin sin posisjon ved å gifte bort sin datter Edith (Eadgyth) til Edvard i 1045, et ekteskap som Edvard inngikk i takknemmelighet for Godwins støtte. Ekteskap forble barnløs, noe som senere skulle gjøre arverekkefølgen til tronen problematisk. Etter hvert som Edvard trakk til seg rådgivere, adelsfolk og prester fra sitt tidligere eksil i Normandie for å sikre sin maktposisjon ble vokste Godwins mistro til den økende normanniske innflytelsen og han ble selv leder for opposisjonen. Situasjonen toppet seg da kongen utnevnte normanneren Robert av Jumieges til erkebiskop av Canterbury.

Etter et voldelig sammenstøt mellom folk i Dover og den besøkende Eustace II, greve av Boulogne, kong Edvards nye svoger (gift med Goda av England, Edvards søster), ga Edvard ordre til at folket i Dover skulle straffes, noe han og jarl Leofric fra Mercia hadde gjort i Worcester (Leofrics jarldømme). Denne gangen nektet Godwin og valgte å utfordre kongen og en besøkende utenlandsk hersker på vegne av sine landsmenn. Edvard innså at dette var en prøve på hvem som satt med makten, og fikk støtte fra de andre jarlene, jarl Siward (Sigurd Danske) fra Northumbria og ikke minst jarl Leofric fra Mercia. Godwin og hans sønner ble straffet med landsforvisning fra kongedømmet i september 1051. I tiden da Godwin var landsforvist mistet også dronning Edith, Godwins datter, sin maktposisjon. Edvard fikk henne plassert i et nonnekloster.

Godwin og sønnene kom tilbake det påfølgende året, ni måneder etter landsforvisningen, og seilte opp elven Thames til London med en stor flåte og tvang Edvard til gjenopprette hans jarldømme. Edith ble også restaurert til sin tidligere makt som Englands dronning. Baksiden av maktdemonstasjonen fra kongens undersått var at det satte en presedens som ble fulgt av en rivaliserende jarl noen år senere, og deretter av Godwins egen sønn i 1066.

Den 15. april 1053 døde Godwin, kanskje av slag, i Winchester hvor han tilbrakte påsken sammen med kongen. En uverifisert påstand mener at han på dødsleiet nektet for at han hadde noe ansvar for drapet på kongens bror Alfred i 1036. Ved middagsbordet skal Godwin ha sverget: «Må dette brødstykket kvele meg om jeg selv i tankene har vært falsk mot deg konge!» Og deretter fikk han maten i vranghalsen, kvaltes og døde...

Hans sønn Harald Godwinson etterfulgte ham som jarl av Wessex, et område som den gang dekket grovt sett det sydlige tredjedelen av England. Med dødsfallene til jarl Siward i 1055 og senere jarl Algar i 1062 skapte et maktvakuum som sønnene til Godwin grep til fulle. Toste Godwinson fikk hjelp til å få jarldømmet Northumbria og således kontrollerte det nordlige England. Jarlen av Marcia ble utmanøvrert og plassert på sidelinjen i maktkampen om England, spesielt etter at Harald og Toste brøt den walisiske-mercianske alliansen i 1063. Harald Godwinson klarte senere å få seg selv akseptert som Edvards etterfølger som konge av England etter en tvilsom påstand om at Edvard hadde lovt ham tronen på sitt dødsleie. Edvard hadde ingen barn, verken legitime eller utenfor ekteskap, med Haralds søster Edith. Harald hadde allerede makten i Wessex og han hadde giftet seg med søsteren til jarl Edwin av Mercia og jarl Morcar av Northumbria. Sistnevnte etterfulgte som jarl av Northumbria da Toste Godwinson hadde gjort seg såpass upopulær ved hardt styre at et opprør tvang ham til å flykte fra jarldømmet.

På samme måte som Huset Capet hadde grepet kongsmakten i Frankrike så det ut til at Godwins ætt hadde grepet makten om England. De eneste skjær i sjøen var at på grunn av Haralds egne maktambisjoner valgte han ikke å støtte broren Toste i hans krav på jarldømmet i Northumbria. I raseri over dette vendte Toste seg til den norske kongen Harald Hardråde og støttet dennes krav på den engelske tronen mot broren Harald. Samtidig satt hertug Vilhelm i Normandie og mente at også han hadde et krav på den engelske tronen. Det store sammenstøttet skulle skje i det store omveltningsåret 1066.

[rediger] Ekteskap og barn

Etter det korte og barnløse ekteskapet til Tyra Sveinsdatter, datter av kong Svein Tjugeskjegg av Danmark og søster til kong Knut den mektige, giftet hans seg for andre gang med Gyda Torkelsdatter, etter sigende en sønnedatter av den legendariske Styrbjørn Sterke og således også en etterkommer til den danske kongen Harald Blåtann, og likeledes en slektning av kong Knut. Ekteskapet var særdeles barnerikt:

Svein Godwinson, av engelskmennene kalt for «Sweyn», jarl av Herefordshire (ca 1023-1052). Ved et tilfelle erklærte Svein seg selv som en illegitim sønn av Knut den mektige, et krav som hverken samtiden og ettertiden har trodd på.

Harald Godwinson, konge av England, (ca 1025 - 14 . oktober 1066)

Toste Godwinson, kalt «Tostig» av engelskmennene, jarl av Northumbria (ca 1026 - 25 . september 1066).

Edith av Wessex, (ca 1030 - 19 . desember 1075), dronning av England, gift med Edvard Bekjenneren

Gyrth Godwinson (ca 1030 - 14 . oktober 1066)

Gunhild av Wessex, også kalt for «Gunhilda», ei nonne (ca 1035-1080)

Ælfgifu av Wessex (ca 1035)

Leofwine Godwinson, jarl av Kent (ca 1035 - 14 . oktober 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (ca 1040)

[rediger] Referanser

^ «Cild» var antagelig et tilnavn som kanskje betydde bokstavelig child = barn, men i overført betyning som barn (=arving) av et landområde.

^ I tidlig engelsk historie var «thegn» et medlem av de adelige klasser med rank mellom jarler og ordinære frie menn, og bevilget land av kongen eller av lordene for militær tjeneste.

^ En fri mann av laveste rang.

^ Den engelske tittelen «earl» kommer fra den norrøne tittelen «jarl», og beskriver en adelig som hersket over minst et shire (grevskap) eller en hel provins.

---

ource

Born : Abt. 992 Wessex, England Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6584, Date of Import: a...

Died : 15 Apr 1053 Winchester, Hampshire, England Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6584, Date of Import: a...

Buried : - Old Minster, England -

Godwin (noen ganger Godwine), jarl av Wessex (ca 1001 – 15. april 1053) var den mest betydningsfull høvdinger i England, etter monarken selv, under den danske kongen Knut den mektige og dennes etterfølgere. Kong Knut gjorde Godwin til den første jarl av Wessex. Godwin ble far til Harald Godwinson, den senere konge av England, og Edith av Wessex, hustru til kong Edvard Bekjenneren.

Innhold [skjul]

1 Begynnelsen: støtte til kong Edmund, deretter kong Knut

2 På høyden av sin makt: støtte til Harald Harefot

3 Senere konflikter: Nedgang og død

4 Ekteskap og barn

5 Referanser

6 Litteratur

7 Eksterne lenker

[rediger] Begynnelsen: støtte til kong Edmund, deretter kong Knut

Godwins far er sannsynligvis Wulfnoth Cild,[1] (ca 983-1015) som var thegn av Sussex [2], skjønt senere dokumenter har beskrevet Godwins far som en churl. [3] Wulfnoth var av kongelig angelsaksisk ætt som sjette generasjon etterkommer etter kong Ethelred av Wessex (837 - 871), den eldre bror av Alfred den store. Hans etterkommere ble forbipassert i den kongelige arvefølge, men ble prominente adelige i kongedømmet. Dette kongelige opphavet er omdiskutert, blir fortsatt forsket på og det er fortsatt heftet en del tvil til kravet.

Wulfnoth ledet en gruppe kongelige skip som gikk over til å drive piratvirksomhet og som en konsekvens ble hans land tapt og han selv drevet i landflyktighet. Det ble opp til hans sønn Godwin å forbedre familiens rikdom etter farens død i 1015. I sin tid ble Godwin sett på som en nykommer som gjorde sin «lykke» ved å inngå to giftemål med danske kvinner av høy rang og ætt.

Godwin var en sterk støttespiller til Edmund Jernside, sønn av kong Ethelred den rådville. Mens Edmund gjorde opprør mot sin far invaderte den danske kongen Knut den mektige England. Edmund ble drept sammen med mange av sine støttespillere, men Godwin overlevde og sverget sin troskap til kong Knut. Han ble venner med Knuts svoger, Ulf jarl, og ble en av Knuts rådgivere. Godwin fulgte Knut til Danmark for å slå ned et opprør der. Innen 1018 var han selv blitt jarl [4], ble jarl av West Saxon innen 1019. I 1022 var han i stand til å gifte seg med Tyra Sveinsdatter, Knut søster. Tyra døde kort tid etter uten å ha født en arving, men Godwin fortsatte å stige i betydning og prestisje og ved 1023 var han blitt den aller mektigste jarlen i England. Da giftet han seg igjen med en dansk kvinne av betydningsfull ætt: Gyda Torkelsdatter, datter av Torkel Styrbjørnsson som igjen var sønn av Styrbjørn Sterke og Tyra Haraldsdatter, og således en av kong Knuts kusiner.

[rediger] På høyden av sin makt: støtte til Harald Harefot

Dansk-angelsaksiske jarldømmer rundt 1025.Den 12. november 1035 døde Knut. Hans kongedømme, bestående av England, Danmark, Norge og deler av Sverige, gikk i oppløsning. Høvdingene i Norge hentet Magnus, sønn av Olav den hellige, til landet og Knuts sønn Svein Knutsson (eller Svein Alfivason som han også blir refert til) flyktet fra Norge. I England grep Harald Harefot, Knuts illegitime sønn med Ælfgifu Ælfhelmsdatter av Northampton (som også fødte Svein), makten og tronen. I Danmark satt Hardeknut, Knuts legitime sønn med dronning Emma av Normandie.

I 1037 ble den engelske tronen utfordret av Alfred av Wessex, den yngste sønnen til Ethelred den rådville i hans ekteskap med Emma av Normandie (og således halvbror til Hardeknut). Godwin skal ha fanget Alfred selv eller lurt ham ved å late som han var en alliert, og deretter utlevert ham til hærstyrken til kong Harald Harefot. Uansett ble Alfred blindet, mishandlet og døde snart ved Ely. En av de ansvarlige kan ha vært Godwins sønn Svein Godwinson, en mann med et iltert, kanskje psykotisk raseri, og som etter sigende skal ha drept sin egen fetter.

Den 17. mars 1040 døde Harald Harefot og Godwin støttet kroningen av hans halvbror Hardeknut da han kom til England. Da Hardeknut selv døde brått i en alder av 25 år den 8. juni 1042 uten en arving ga Godwin motvillig sin støtte til dennes halvbror Edvard Bekjenneren. Edvard var den andre sønnen til Emma og Ethelred II, og hadde tilbrakte det meste av sine tretti år i landflyktighet i Normandie. Edvards regime gjeninnførte det angelsaksiske huset av Wessex til den engelske tronen. Emma av Normandie hadde ingen stor kjærlighet til sine sønner med Ethelred II og skal ha støttet kravet til den norske kongen Magnus den gode, som da var blitt konge av Danmark, ved at denne hadde arverett til den engelske tronen etter Hardeknut. Også Godwin skal ha støttet dette kravet en stund.

[rediger] Senere konflikter: Nedgang og død

Til tross for at det ble påstått at Godwin var medansvarlig i drapet på kong Edvards bror Alfred sikret Godwin sin posisjon ved å gifte bort sin datter Edith (Eadgyth) til Edvard i 1045, et ekteskap som Edvard inngikk i takknemmelighet for Godwins støtte. Ekteskap forble barnløs, noe som senere skulle gjøre arverekkefølgen til tronen problematisk. Etter hvert som Edvard trakk til seg rådgivere, adelsfolk og prester fra sitt tidligere eksil i Normandie for å sikre sin maktposisjon ble vokste Godwins mistro til den økende normanniske innflytelsen og han ble selv leder for opposisjonen. Situasjonen toppet seg da kongen utnevnte normanneren Robert av Jumieges til erkebiskop av Canterbury.

Etter et voldelig sammenstøt mellom folk i Dover og den besøkende Eustace II, greve av Boulogne, kong Edvards nye svoger (gift med Goda av England, Edvards søster), ga Edvard ordre til at folket i Dover skulle straffes, noe han og jarl Leofric fra Mercia hadde gjort i Worcester (Leofrics jarldømme). Denne gangen nektet Godwin og valgte å utfordre kongen og en besøkende utenlandsk hersker på vegne av sine landsmenn. Edvard innså at dette var en prøve på hvem som satt med makten, og fikk støtte fra de andre jarlene, jarl Siward (Sigurd Danske) fra Northumbria og ikke minst jarl Leofric fra Mercia. Godwin og hans sønner ble straffet med landsforvisning fra kongedømmet i september 1051. I tiden da Godwin var landsforvist mistet også dronning Edith, Godwins datter, sin maktposisjon. Edvard fikk henne plassert i et nonnekloster.

Godwin og sønnene kom tilbake det påfølgende året, ni måneder etter landsforvisningen, og seilte opp elven Thames til London med en stor flåte og tvang Edvard til gjenopprette hans jarldømme. Edith ble også restaurert til sin tidligere makt som Englands dronning. Baksiden av maktdemonstasjonen fra kongens undersått var at det satte en presedens som ble fulgt av en rivaliserende jarl noen år senere, og deretter av Godwins egen sønn i 1066.

Den 15. april 1053 døde Godwin, kanskje av slag, i Winchester hvor han tilbrakte påsken sammen med kongen. En uverifisert påstand mener at han på dødsleiet nektet for at han hadde noe ansvar for drapet på kongens bror Alfred i 1036. Ved middagsbordet skal Godwin ha sverget: «Må dette brødstykket kvele meg om jeg selv i tankene har vært falsk mot deg konge!» Og deretter fikk han maten i vranghalsen, kvaltes og døde...

Hans sønn Harald Godwinson etterfulgte ham som jarl av Wessex, et område som den gang dekket grovt sett det sydlige tredjedelen av England. Med dødsfallene til jarl Siward i 1055 og senere jarl Algar i 1062 skapte et maktvakuum som sønnene til Godwin grep til fulle. Toste Godwinson fikk hjelp til å få jarldømmet Northumbria og således kontrollerte det nordlige England. Jarlen av Marcia ble utmanøvrert og plassert på sidelinjen i maktkampen om England, spesielt etter at Harald og Toste brøt den walisiske-mercianske alliansen i 1063. Harald Godwinson klarte senere å få seg selv akseptert som Edvards etterfølger som konge av England etter en tvilsom påstand om at Edvard hadde lovt ham tronen på sitt dødsleie. Edvard hadde ingen barn, verken legitime eller utenfor ekteskap, med Haralds søster Edith. Harald hadde allerede makten i Wessex og han hadde giftet seg med søsteren til jarl Edwin av Mercia og jarl Morcar av Northumbria. Sistnevnte etterfulgte som jarl av Northumbria da Toste Godwinson hadde gjort seg såpass upopulær ved hardt styre at et opprør tvang ham til å flykte fra jarldømmet.

På samme måte som Huset Capet hadde grepet kongsmakten i Frankrike så det ut til at Godwins ætt hadde grepet makten om England. De eneste skjær i sjøen var at på grunn av Haralds egne maktambisjoner valgte han ikke å støtte broren Toste i hans krav på jarldømmet i Northumbria. I raseri over dette vendte Toste seg til den norske kongen Harald Hardråde og støttet dennes krav på den engelske tronen mot broren Harald. Samtidig satt hertug Vilhelm i Normandie og mente at også han hadde et krav på den engelske tronen. Det store sammenstøttet skulle skje i det store omveltningsåret 1066.

[rediger] Ekteskap og barn

Etter det korte og barnløse ekteskapet til Tyra Sveinsdatter, datter av kong Svein Tjugeskjegg av Danmark og søster til kong Knut den mektige, giftet hans seg for andre gang med Gyda Torkelsdatter, etter sigende en sønnedatter av den legendariske Styrbjørn Sterke og således også en etterkommer til den danske kongen Harald Blåtann, og likeledes en slektning av kong Knut. Ekteskapet var særdeles barnerikt:

Svein Godwinson, av engelskmennene kalt for «Sweyn», jarl av Herefordshire (ca 1023-1052). Ved et tilfelle erklærte Svein seg selv som en illegitim sønn av Knut den mektige, et krav som hverken samtiden og ettertiden har trodd på.

Harald Godwinson, konge av England, (ca 1025 - 14. oktober 1066)

Toste Godwinson, kalt «Tostig» av engelskmennene, jarl av Northumbria (ca 1026 - 25. september 1066).

Edith av Wessex, (ca 1030 - 19. desember 1075), dronning av England, gift med Edvard Bekjenneren

Gyrth Godwinson (ca 1030 - 14. oktober 1066)

Gunhild av Wessex, også kalt for «Gunhilda», ei nonne (ca 1035-1080)

Ælfgifu av Wessex (ca 1035)

Leofwine Godwinson, jarl av Kent (ca 1035 - 14. oktober 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (ca 1040)

[rediger] Referanser

^ «Cild» var antagelig et tilnavn som kanskje betydde bokstavelig child = barn, men i overført betyning som barn (=arving) av et landområde.

^ I tidlig engelsk historie var «thegn» et medlem av de adelige klasser med rank mellom jarler og ordinære frie menn, og bevilget land av kongen eller av lordene for militær tjeneste.

^ En fri mann av laveste rang.

^ Den engelske tittelen «earl» kommer fra den norrøne tittelen «jarl», og beskriver en adelig som hersket over minst et shire (grevskap) eller en hel provins.

[rediger] Litteratur

Mason, Emma: The House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. Hambledon Press, 2003.

Stenton, F.M.: Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford History of England), 2001.

Thorne, J.O. and Collocott, T.C.: Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Revised Edition. (Edinburgh: Chambers, 1984) ISBN 0-550-16010-8

Walker, Ian.: Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997.

[rediger] Eksterne lenker

Discussion on soc.genealogy medieval of Godwin's genealogy - diskusjon om Godwins slekt og mulige opphav til kong Alfred den stores bror.

A pedigree of Godwin Godwins slektstre - ikke nødvendigvis troverdig

Et slektstre som inkluderer Godwin som en etterkommer av kong Cerdic av Wessex - engelsk

A short profile of him among other related persons

A more detailed article on him and his descedants

A list of descendants

A critical account of his life

Hentet fra «http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin_av_Wessex»

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Godwin I Earl of Kent and Wessex

born about 0988 Wessex, England

died 15 January 1053 Winchester Castle, Hampshire, England

father:

• Wulfnoth Cyld of Sussex

born about 0975 Wessex, England

died 1015

mother:

unknown

siblings:

unknown

spouse:

• Gytha Thorgilsdottir

born about 0997 Halland, Sweden

died after 1066 Flanders

children:

• son of Godwin I Earl of Kent and Wessex
• Harold II King of England born about 1019 England

died 14 October 1066 Battle of Hastings, Senlac Hill, Sussex, England

Edith Godwinsdatter born about 1020 died 8 December 1075

• Sven Godwinsson born about 1021 died 29 September 1052 Lycia, Constantinople, Byzantium

Tostig Earl of Northumberland born 1025/30 Wessex, England died 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge

Gyrth Godwinsson Earl of East Anglia died 14 October 1066 Battle of Hastings, Senlac Hill, Sussex, England

Leofwin Godwinsson died 14 October 1066 Battle of Hastings, Senlac Hill, Sussex, England

Wulfnoth Godwinsson

Elgiva Godwinsdottir

Gunhilda Godwinsdattir born about 1024 died 24 August 1087 Bruges, Flanders

children (possibly by Thyra Sveinsdottir):

Waeltheow of Wessex? died after 1066 in the prison of William the Conqueror

Morcar of Northumbria? died September 1066 in battle near York

Edwin of Mercia? died about 1067 Argyll, Scotland

Gytha (Edgyth) of Wessex?

Herbert Fitzgodwin?

Alfgar of Wessex? born about 1038?

biographical and/or anecdotal:

notes or source:

LDS

Note also that he was married to Thyra Svensdatter of Denmark who died in 1019.

Whether any children are attributable to her it doesn't say in the record.

"Biographical Encyclopedia of the Kings & Queens of Great Britain" by Mike Ashley

only lists ten by *Gytha Thorgilsdottir

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http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin,_earl_av_Wessex

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Jarl av Wessex.

Gudine (Godwin) var en anglosaksisk stormann. Han nevnes alt i 1018 som jarl av Wessex under Knud den Store av Danmark. Det kom imidlertid til åpen strid mellom Knud og Gudine i 1051. Han ble dømt til landflyktighet, men vendte tilbake allerede året etter og tiltvang seg atter sine jarledømmer.

Fra Snorre Sturlasson: Harald Hardrådes saga:

«75. Edvard Adalrådsson var konge i England etter Hordaknut, sin bror. Han ble kalt Edvard den gode (Edward Confessor, 1042-1066), og det var han også. Mor til kong Edvard var dronning Emma, datter til Rikard Rude-jarl (i Rouen). Hennes bror var Robert jarl, far til Viljalm Bastard (Wilhelm Erobreren), som da var hertug i Ruda i Normandi. Kong Edvard var gift med dronning Gyda, datter til jarlen Gudine (Godwin) Ulvnadsson. Brødrene til Gyda var Toste jarl - han var eldst -, den andre var Morukåre jarl, den tredje Valtjov jarl, den fjerde Svein jarl, den femte Harald - han var yngst. Han vokste opp i kong Edvards hird og var hans fostersønn; kongen elsket ham overmåte høyt og regnet ham som sin egen sønn, for kongen hadde ikke barn selv.»

Han døde av slag ved kongens bord i 1053.

Tekst: Tore Nygaard

Kilder:

Politiken's Danmarks Historie, Bind 2 (1963), side 245, 437, 462-464. Snorre Sturlasson: Olav den helliges saga, avsnitt 152. Snorre Sturlasson: Harald Hardrådes saga, avsnitt 75. C.M. Munthe: Norske slegtsmerker, NST Bind I (1928), side 345. Mogens Bugge: Våre forfedre, nr. 558. Bent og Vidar Billing Hansen: Rosensverdslektens forfedre, side 84, 89.

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Earl av Wessex. Godwine var en av de anglosaxare som på 1010-talet med framgång anslöt sig till danskarna. Han gifte sig med en släkting till Knut den store och utnämndes till earl. Godwine var en av sin tids mäktigaste män i England, särskilt under Edvard Bekännarens regering, då han motarbetade Edvards favorisering av normander. Hans motståndare drev 1051 Godwine och hans söner i exil, men redan 1052 tvingades Edvard återge Godwine dennes starka maktposition. Godwine var far till kung Harald Godwinsson.

Källa: Nationalencyklopedin.

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History: An Anglo-Danish noble, he rose to power under Canute, after whose death he supported the accession of Edward the Confessor & became a dominant figure in royal gov't.

Godwin supported the acession of Edward the Confessor after Canute's death. 

Became a dominant figure in Edward the Confessor's royal gov't. 

In 1045 his daughter Edith married Edward.

He was overthrown in 1051 but regained his position by force in 1052. He was succeeded by his son Harold, who also succeeded Edward, thus leading to the Norman conquest.

The key article on the proposed descent of Harold II from Aethelred I is David H. Kelley, "The House of Aethelred," in Lindsay S. Brooke, ed., Studies in Genealogy and Family History in Tribute to Charles Evans on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday_ (Association for the Promotion of Scholarship in Genealogy, Ltd., Occasional Publication No. Two, 1989). As I posted earlier, the descent of land provides strong evidence for the descent of Harold II's father, Earl Godwine, from Aethelred I (not II), but it is also possible that the land was expropriated and presented to Godwine and his possession of it does not indicate genealogical descent.

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Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn or Goodwyn (c. 1001–April 15, 1053) was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor. Godwin's father was probably Wulfnoth Cild who was Thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl. Wulfnoth was supposedly a sixth generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex, the older brother of Alfred the Great; Ethelred's descendants were passed over in the royal succession, but became prominent nobles in the kingdom. However this descent of Godwin is still being researched, and should not be taken as certain. Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. It was left to his young son, Godwin, to improve the family fortunes after his father's death in 1014. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Ethelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Canute and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Canute. He befriended Canute's brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, and became one of Canute's advisors, accompanying him to Denmark to suppress a rebellion there. By 1018 he was an earl , becoming Earl of the Wessex in about 1019. In 1022 he married Thyra Sveinsdóttir (also called Thyra Swensdottir) Canute's sister. She died soon afterwards without issue, but Godwin continued to gain prestige and by 1023 he was the most powerful earl in England. Godwin married a second time to a Danish noblewoman, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (also known as Githa), said to be the granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark and thus also ancestor to King Canute. The marriage resulted in the birth of many children:

Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Canute the Great but this is considered to be a false claim. Harold II of England (c. 1022-October 14, 1066) Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-September 25, 1066) Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-December 19, 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-October 14, 1066) Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080) Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035) Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-October 14, 1066) Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040) Marigard of Wessex (February 6, 1033 - August 6, 1083)

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Godwin, Earl of Wessex

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn or Goodwyn (c. 1001–April 15, 1053) was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor.

Rise: support of Edmund, then Canute

Godwin's father was probably Wulfnoth Cild who was Thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl. Wulfnoth was supposedly a sixth generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex, the older brother of Alfred the Great; Ethelred's descendants were passed over in the royal succession, but became prominent nobles in the kingdom. However this descent of Godwin is still being researched, and should not be taken as certain. Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. It was left to his young son, Godwin, to improve the family fortunes after his father's death in 1014. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Ethelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Canute and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Canute. He befriended Canute's brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, and became one of Canute's advisors, accompanying him to Denmark to suppress a rebellion there. By 1018 he was an earl , becoming Earl of the Wessex in about 1019. In 1022 he married Thyra Sveinsdóttir (also called Thyra Swensdottir) Canute's sister. She died soon afterwards without issue, but Godwin continued to gain prestige and by 1023 he was the most powerful earl in England.

[edit]Height of power: support of Harold

On November 12, 1035, Canute died. His kingdoms were divided among three rival rulers. Harold Harefoot, Canute's illegitimate son with Aelgifu of Northampton, seized the throne of England. Harthacanute, Canute's legitimate son with Emma of Normandy, reigned in Denmark. Norway rebelled under Magnus the Noble. In 1037, the throne of England was reportedly claimed by Alfred Aetheling, younger son of Emma of Normandy and Ethelred the Unready, and half-brother of Harthacanute. Godwin is reported to have either captured Alfred himself or to have deceived him by pretending to be his ally and then surrendering him to the forces of Harold Harefoot. Either way Alfred was blinded and soon died at Ely.

In 1040, Harold Harefoot died and Godwin supported the accession of his half-brother Harthacanute to the throne of England. When Harthacanute himself died in 1042 Godwin finally supported the claim of his half-brother Edward the Confessor to the throne. Edward was another son of Emma and Ethelred, having spent most of the previous thirty years in Normandy. His reign restored the native royal house of Wessex to the throne of England.

[edit]Later conflicts, decline, and death

Despite his alleged responsibility for the death of Edward's brother Alfred, Godwin secured the marriage of his daughter Edith (Eadgyth) to Edward in 1045. As Edward drew advisors, nobles and priests from his former place of refuge in a bid to develop his own power base, Godwin soon became the leader of opposition to growing Norman influence. After a violent clash between the people of Dover and the visiting Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, Edward's new brother-in-law, Godwin was ordered to punish the people of Dover (as he and Leofric, Earl of Mercia had done in Worcester, in Leofric's own earldom). This time, however, Godwin refused, choosing to champion his own countrymen against a (visiting) foreign ruler and his own king. Edward rightly saw this as a test of power, and managed to enlist the support of Siward, Earl of Northumbria and Earl Leofric. Godwin and his sons were exiled from the kingdom in September 1051. However, they returned the following year with an armed force, which gained the support of the navy, burghers, and peasants, so compelling Edward to restore his earldom. This however set a precedent to be followed by a rival earl some years later, and then by Godwin's own son in 1066.

On April 15, 1053 Godwin died suddenly, after collapsing during a royal banquet at Winchester. Some colourful accounts claim that he choked on a piece of bread while denying any disloyalty to the king.[1] However this appears to be later Norman propaganda, contemporary accounts indicate that he just had a sudden illness, possibly a stroke.[2]

His son Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, an area then covering roughly the southernmost third of England. With the death of Earl Siward (1055) and later Earl Ælfgar (1062), the children of Godwin were poised to assume sole control. Tostig was helped into the earldom of Northumbria, thus controlling the north. The Mercian earl was sidelined, especially after Harold and Tostig broke the Welsh-Mercian alliance in 1063. Harold later succeeded Edward the Confessor and became King of England in his own right. At this point, both Harold's remaining brothers in England were earls in their own right, Harold was himself king and in control of Wessex, and he had married the sister of Earl Edwin of Mercia and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria (who had succeeded his brother Tostig). Godwin's family looked set to inaugurate a new royal dynasty.

[edit]Progeny

Godwin married a second time to a Danish noblewoman, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (also known as Githa), said to be the granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark and thus also ancestor to King Canute. The marriage resulted in the birth of many children:

Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Canute the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

Harold II of England (c. 1022-October 14, 1066)

Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-September 25, 1066)

Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-December 19, 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-October 14, 1066)

Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080)

Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035)

Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-October 14, 1066)

Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040)

Marigard of Wessex (February 6, 1033 - August 6, 1083)

Family Trees

House of Wessex family tree

Godwin family tree

Canute's family tree

Sources

Mason, Emma. The House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. Hambledon Press, 2003.

Stenton, F.M. Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford History of England), 2001.

Thorne, J.O. and Collocott, T.C. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Revised Edition. (Edinburgh: Chambers, 1984) ISBN 0-550-16010-8

Walker, Ian. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997.

Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700 by Frederick Lewis Weis, Lines: 1B-15, 1B-23, 1B-26, 166-23.

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Godwin of Wessex, also known as Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn or Goodwyn was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Canute the Great and his successors. Canute made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor.

Godwin's father was probably Wulfnoth Cild who was Thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl. Wulfnoth was supposedly a sixth generation descendant of King Ethelred of Wessex, the older brother of Alfred the Great; Ethelred's descendants were passed over in the royal succession, but became prominent nobles in the kingdom. However this descent of Godwin is still being researched, and should not be taken as certain. Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. It was left to his young son, Godwin, to improve the family fortunes after his father's death in 1014. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Ethelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Canute and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Canute. He befriended Canute's brother-in-law, Earl Ulf, and became one of Canute's advisors, accompanying him to Denmark to suppress a rebellion there. By 1018 he was an earl , becoming Earl of the Wessex in about 1019. In 1022 he married Thyra Sveinsdóttir (also called Thyra Swensdottir) Canute's sister. She died soon afterwards without issue, but Godwin continued to gain prestige and by 1023 he was the most powerful earl in England.

Godwin married a second time to a Danish noblewoman, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (also known as Githa), said to be the granddaughter of the legendary Viking Styrbjörn Starke and great-granddaughter to Harold Bluetooth, king of Denmark and thus also ancestor to King Canute.

Leo: Europäische Stammtafeln, J.A. Stargardt Verlag, Marburg, Schwennicke, Detlev (Ed.), Reference: II 78.

Leo: Nachkommen Gorms des Alten, 1978 , Brenner, S. Otto, Reference: page 246.

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Godwin, Earl of Wessex From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Godwin of Wessex Reign 1019–1053 Spouse Thyra Sveinsdóttir Gytha Thorkelsdóttir Issue Sweyn, Earl of Herefordshire Harold II, King of England Tostig, Earl of Northumbria Edith, Queen of England Gyrth, Earl of East Anglia Gunhilda Ælfgifu Leofwine, Earl of Kent Wulfnoth House House of Godwin Born 990 Died 15 April 1053

Godwin of Wessex (Old English: Gōdwine) (990 – 15 April 1053), was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Cnut the Great and his successors. Cnut made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor. Contents

   * 1 Rise: support of Edmund, then Cnut

   * 2 Height of power: support of Harold

   * 3 Later conflicts, decline, and death

   * 4 Children

         o 4.1 Family Trees

   * 5 In popular culture

   * 6 Sources

   * 7 Notes

   * 8 External links

Rise: support of Edmund, then Cnut

Godwin's father was possibly Wulfnoth Cild who was a thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl.[1] Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Æthelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Cnut and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Cnut.

By 1018 he was an earl, probably of eastern Wessex, and then by around 1020 of all Wessex.[2] Between 1019 and 1023 he accompanied Cnut on an expedition to Denmark, where he distinguished himself, and shortly afterwards married Gytha, the sister of the Danish earl, Ulf, who was married to Cnut's sister, Estrid.[3]

Height of power: support of Harold

On 12 November 1035, Cnut died. His kingdoms were divided among three rival rulers. Harold Harefoot, Cnut's illegitimate son with Ælfgifu of Northampton, seized the throne of England. Harthacnut, Cnut's legitimate son with Emma of Normandy, reigned in Denmark. Norway rebelled under Magnus the Noble. In 1035, the throne of England was reportedly claimed by Alfred Ætheling, younger son of Emma of Normandy and Æthelred the Unready, and half-brother of Harthacnut. Godwin is reported to have either captured Alfred himself or to have deceived him by pretending to be his ally and then surrendering him to the forces of Harold Harefoot. Either way Alfred was blinded and soon died at Ely.

In 1040, Harold Harefoot died and Godwin supported the accession of his half-brother Harthacnut to the throne of England. When Harthacnut himself died in 1042 Godwin finally supported the claim of his half-brother Edward the Confessor to the throne. Edward was another son of Emma and Æthelred, having spent most of the previous thirty years in Normandy. His reign restored the native royal house of Wessex to the throne of England.

Later conflicts, decline, and death

Despite his alleged responsibility for the death of Edward's brother Alfred, Godwin secured the marriage of his daughter Edith (Eadgyth) to Edward in 1045. As Edward drew advisors, nobles and priests from his former place of refuge in a bid to develop his own power base, Godwin soon became the leader of opposition to growing Norman influence. After a violent clash between the people of Dover and the visiting Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, Edward's brother-in-law, Godwin was ordered to punish the people of Dover (as he and Leofric, Earl of Mercia had done in Worcester, in Leofric's own earldom). This time, however, Godwin refused, choosing to champion his own countrymen against a (visiting) foreign ruler and his own king. Edward rightly saw this as a test of power, and managed to enlist the support of Siward, Earl of Northumbria and Earl Leofric. Godwin and his sons were exiled from the kingdom in September 1051. However, they returned the following year with an armed force, which gained the support of the navy, burghers, and peasants, so compelling Edward to restore his earldom. This however set a precedent to be followed by a rival earl some years later, and then by Godwin's own son in 1066.

On 15 April 1053 Godwin died suddenly, after collapsing during a royal banquet at Winchester. Some colourful accounts claim that he choked on a piece of bread while denying any disloyalty to the king.[4] However this appears to be later Norman propaganda. Contemporary accounts indicate that he just had a sudden illness, possibly a stroke.[5]

His son Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, an area then covering roughly the southernmost third of England. With the death of Earl Siward (1055) and later Earl Ælfgar (1062), the children of Godwin were poised to assume sole control. Tostig was helped into the earldom of Northumbria, thus controlling the north. The Mercian earl was sidelined, especially after Harold and Tostig broke the Welsh-Mercian alliance in 1063. Harold later succeeded Edward the Confessor and became King of England in his own right. At this point, both Harold's remaining brothers in England were earls in their own right, Harold was himself king and in control of Wessex, and he had married the sister of Earl Edwin of Mercia and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria (who had succeeded his brother Tostig). Godwin's family looked set to inaugurate a new royal dynasty.

Children

  1. Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Cnut the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

  2. Harold II of England (c. 1022-14 October 1066)

  3. Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-25 September 1066)

  4. Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-19 December 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

  5. Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-14 October 1066)

  6. Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080)

  7. Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035)

  8. Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-14 October 1066)

  9. Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040)

Family Trees
* House of Wessex family tree

   * Godwin family tree

   * Cnut's family tree In popular culture

Godwin has been portrayed by Torin Thatcher in the film Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) and by Bill Wallis in an episode of the British educational TV series Historyonics entitled "1066" (2004). Lewis Collins is set to portray him in upcoming movie 1066 (2011). Godwin is also the lead character of Justin Hill's novel, Shieldwall (2011).

Sources:

   * Mason, Emma. The House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. Hambledon Press, 2003.

   * Stenton, F.M. Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford History of England), 2001.

   * Thorne, J.O. and Collocott, T.C. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Revised Edition. (Edinburgh: Chambers, 1984) ISBN 0-550-16010-8

   * Walker, Ian. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997.

Peerage of England New title Earl of Wessex c. 1019–1053 Succeeded by Harold Godwinson New title Earl of Kent 1020–1053 Succeeded by Leofwine Godwinson

Notes

  1. ^ Chambers Biographical Dictionary, page 569

  2. ^ Ann Williams, Godwine, Oxford Online Dictionary of National Biography, 2004

  3. ^ Pauline Stafford, 'Edith, Edward's Wife and Queen', in Richard Mortimer ed., Edward the Confessor: The Man and the Legend, The Boydell Press, 2009, p. 121

  4. ^ According to Three Men in a Boat: "Old Windsor (sic) is a famous spot in its way. Edward the Confessor had a palace here, and here the great Earl Godwin was proved guilty by the justice of that age of having encompassed the death of the King's brother. Earl Godwin broke a piece of bread and held it in his hand. 'If I am guilty,' said the Earl, 'may this bread choke me when I eat it!' Then he put the bread into his mouth and swallowed it, and it choked him, and he died."

  5. ^ According to the Abingdon version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: "1053: In this year the king was at Winchester at Easter, and with him earl Godwin and earl Harold, his son, and Tostig. When on the second day of Easter he (i.e. Godwin) sat at table with the king, he suddenly sank down against the footstool, speechless and helpless: he was carried into the king's chamber and it was thought it would pass off, but it was not to be; yet he lingered on like this, unable to speak and helpless, until the Thursday, and then gave up his life.

External links Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Godwin, Earl of Wessex

   * Godwin, Earl of Wessex at Genealogics

   * Discussion on soc.genealogy medieval of Godwin's genealogy and possible descent from Alfred the Great's brother.

   * Regia Anglorum Kingmakers - the story of the House of Godwin

Persondata Name Godwin, Earl Of Wessex Alternative names Short description Date of birth Place of birth Date of death 15 April 1053 Place of death

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin,_Earl_of_Wessex" Categories: House of Godwin | Anglo-Norse people | Anglo-Saxon people | Earls of Wessex | Norman conquest of England | 1000s births | 1053 deaths | Burials at Winchester Cathedral | 11th-century English people

House of Godwin

         Ealhmund of Kent

         King of Kent (784)

                      I

                      I

         Egbert of Wessex (c. 770–839)

         King of Wessex (802–839) <nowiki>-------------------------</nowiki> Redburga

                                                                        I

                                                                        I            

                                                                        I

                                                                        I

               Ethelwulf of Wessex (also called Aethelwulf) I 

                                             (c. 800–858)                            I<nowiki>-------------</nowiki>Osburga (810–855)

                                              King of Wessex (839–858)  I       I

                                                                                                         I 

                                                                                                         I I<nowiki>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</nowiki> I

I I-------- Æthelbald (c. 834–860) I Ethelbert (c. 835–865) I I I---------Ethelbert (c. 835–865) I King of Wessex (860–865) I I I----------Ethelred (also called Aethelred I) (c. 837–871) I King of Wessex (865–871) I I---------- Alfred the Great (c. 849–899) I King of Wessex (871–899) (from 878 as King of England) I I----------- Ealhswith (c. 852–905)

         Æthelwold 	

Æthelhelm (c. 859–898), Ealdorman of Wiltshire

Æthelgyth of Mercia

      Æthelfrith (c. 900–927), Ealdorman of Wessex 	

Elfleda of Wessex (c. 890–918)

Edward the Elder (c. 874–924)

       King of England (899–924)

Eadric of Washington, Wessex

      Ælfweard (904–924)

King of Wessex (924)
Æthelweard (historian)
Athelmar Cild

Wulfnoth Cild (c. 983–1015), Thegn of Sussex

Godwin (c. 1001–1053)

Gytha Thorkelsdóttir

Sweyn Godwinson

Edith Swannesha

Harold Godwinson

Aldith of Mercia

Tostig Godwinson

Edith of Wessex

Edward the Confessor

       (c. 1004–1066)

       King of England (1042–1066)

Godwine (b. 1049)
Edmund (b. 1049)

Magnus (b. 1051)

Gunhild (1055–1097)

Gytha of Wessex (1053–1098)

Harold (1067–1098)

Ulf (1067–1087)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Goodwin_tree 	

---

Godwin, Earl of Wessex From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Godwin of Wessex Reign 1019–1053 Spouse Thyra Sveinsdóttir Gytha Thorkelsdóttir Issue Sweyn, Earl of Herefordshire Harold II, King of England Tostig, Earl of Northumbria Edith, Queen of England Gyrth, Earl of East Anglia Gunhilda Ælfgifu Leofwine, Earl of Kent Wulfnoth House House of Godwin Born 990 Died 15 April 1053

Godwin of Wessex (Old English: Gōdwine) (990 – 15 April 1053), was one of the most powerful lords in England under the Danish king Cnut the Great and his successors. Cnut made him the first Earl of Wessex. Godwin was the father of King Harold Godwinson and Edith of Wessex, wife of King Edward the Confessor. Contents

   * 1 Rise: support of Edmund, then Cnut

   * 2 Height of power: support of Harold

   * 3 Later conflicts, decline, and death

   * 4 Children

         o 4.1 Family Trees

   * 5 In popular culture

   * 6 Sources

   * 7 Notes

   * 8 External links

Rise: support of Edmund, then Cnut

Godwin's father was possibly Wulfnoth Cild who was a thegn of Sussex, although later documents describe his father as a churl.[1] Wulfnoth led a section of the royal fleet into piracy and as a consequence had his lands forfeited, and was exiled. In his day, Earl Godwin was seen as very much of a new man, who had been "made" by two advantageous marriages to Danish noblewomen.

Godwin was a major supporter of Edmund Ironside, the son of King Æthelred the Unready. While Edmund was in rebellion against his father, Cnut and his army invaded England. Edmund was killed, along with many of his supporters, but Godwin survived and pledged his loyalty to Cnut.

By 1018 he was an earl, probably of eastern Wessex, and then by around 1020 of all Wessex.[2] Between 1019 and 1023 he accompanied Cnut on an expedition to Denmark, where he distinguished himself, and shortly afterwards married Gytha, the sister of the Danish earl, Ulf, who was married to Cnut's sister, Estrid.[3]

Height of power: support of Harold

On 12 November 1035, Cnut died. His kingdoms were divided among three rival rulers. Harold Harefoot, Cnut's illegitimate son with Ælfgifu of Northampton, seized the throne of England. Harthacnut, Cnut's legitimate son with Emma of Normandy, reigned in Denmark. Norway rebelled under Magnus the Noble. In 1035, the throne of England was reportedly claimed by Alfred Ætheling, younger son of Emma of Normandy and Æthelred the Unready, and half-brother of Harthacnut. Godwin is reported to have either captured Alfred himself or to have deceived him by pretending to be his ally and then surrendering him to the forces of Harold Harefoot. Either way Alfred was blinded and soon died at Ely.

In 1040, Harold Harefoot died and Godwin supported the accession of his half-brother Harthacnut to the throne of England. When Harthacnut himself died in 1042 Godwin finally supported the claim of his half-brother Edward the Confessor to the throne. Edward was another son of Emma and Æthelred, having spent most of the previous thirty years in Normandy. His reign restored the native royal house of Wessex to the throne of England.

Later conflicts, decline, and death

Despite his alleged responsibility for the death of Edward's brother Alfred, Godwin secured the marriage of his daughter Edith (Eadgyth) to Edward in 1045. As Edward drew advisors, nobles and priests from his former place of refuge in a bid to develop his own power base, Godwin soon became the leader of opposition to growing Norman influence. After a violent clash between the people of Dover and the visiting Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, Edward's brother-in-law, Godwin was ordered to punish the people of Dover (as he and Leofric, Earl of Mercia had done in Worcester, in Leofric's own earldom). This time, however, Godwin refused, choosing to champion his own countrymen against a (visiting) foreign ruler and his own king. Edward rightly saw this as a test of power, and managed to enlist the support of Siward, Earl of Northumbria and Earl Leofric. Godwin and his sons were exiled from the kingdom in September 1051. However, they returned the following year with an armed force, which gained the support of the navy, burghers, and peasants, so compelling Edward to restore his earldom. This however set a precedent to be followed by a rival earl some years later, and then by Godwin's own son in 1066.

On 15 April 1053 Godwin died suddenly, after collapsing during a royal banquet at Winchester. Some colourful accounts claim that he choked on a piece of bread while denying any disloyalty to the king.[4] However this appears to be later Norman propaganda. Contemporary accounts indicate that he just had a sudden illness, possibly a stroke.[5]

His son Harold succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, an area then covering roughly the southernmost third of England. With the death of Earl Siward (1055) and later Earl Ælfgar (1062), the children of Godwin were poised to assume sole control. Tostig was helped into the earldom of Northumbria, thus controlling the north. The Mercian earl was sidelined, especially after Harold and Tostig broke the Welsh-Mercian alliance in 1063. Harold later succeeded Edward the Confessor and became King of England in his own right. At this point, both Harold's remaining brothers in England were earls in their own right, Harold was himself king and in control of Wessex, and he had married the sister of Earl Edwin of Mercia and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria (who had succeeded his brother Tostig). Godwin's family looked set to inaugurate a new royal dynasty.

Children

  1. Sweyn Godwinson, Earl of Herefordshire (c. 1023-1052). At some point he declared himself an illegitimate son of Cnut the Great but this is considered to be a false claim.

  2. Harold II of England (c. 1022-14 October 1066)

  3. Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria (c. 1026-25 September 1066)

  4. Edith of Wessex, (c. 1030-19 December 1075), queen consort of Edward the Confessor

  5. Gyrth Godwinson (c. 1030-14 October 1066)

  6. Gunhilda of Wessex, a nun (c. 1035-1080)

  7. Ælfgifu of Wessex (c. 1035)

  8. Leofwine Godwinson, Earl of Kent (c. 1035-14 October 1066)

  9. Wulfnoth Godwinson (c. 1040)

Family Trees
* House of Wessex family tree

   * Godwin family tree

   * Cnut's family tree In popular culture

Godwin has been portrayed by Torin Thatcher in the film Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) and by Bill Wallis in an episode of the British educational TV series Historyonics entitled "1066" (2004). Lewis Collins is set to portray him in upcoming movie 1066 (2011). Godwin is also the lead character of Justin Hill's novel, Shieldwall (2011).

Sources:

   * Mason, Emma. The House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty. Hambledon Press, 2003.

   * Stenton, F.M. Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford History of England), 2001.

   * Thorne, J.O. and Collocott, T.C. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Revised Edition. (Edinburgh: Chambers, 1984) ISBN 0-550-16010-8

   * Walker, Ian. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997.

Peerage of England New title Earl of Wessex c. 1019–1053 Succeeded by Harold Godwinson New title Earl of Kent 1020–1053 Succeeded by Leofwine Godwinson

Notes

  1. ^ Chambers Biographical Dictionary, page 569

  2. ^ Ann Williams, Godwine, Oxford Online Dictionary of National Biography, 2004

  3. ^ Pauline Stafford, 'Edith, Edward's Wife and Queen', in Richard Mortimer ed., Edward the Confessor: The Man and the Legend, The Boydell Press, 2009, p. 121

  4. ^ According to Three Men in a Boat: "Old Windsor (sic) is a famous spot in its way. Edward the Confessor had a palace here, and here the great Earl Godwin was proved guilty by the justice of that age of having encompassed the death of the King's brother. Earl Godwin broke a piece of bread and held it in his hand. 'If I am guilty,' said the Earl, 'may this bread choke me when I eat it!' Then he put the bread into his mouth and swallowed it, and it choked him, and he died."

  5. ^ According to the Abingdon version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: "1053: In this year the king was at Winchester at Easter, and with him earl Godwin and earl Harold, his son, and Tostig. When on the second day of Easter he (i.e. Godwin) sat at table with the king, he suddenly sank down against the footstool, speechless and helpless: he was carried into the king's chamber and it was thought it would pass off, but it was not to be; yet he lingered on like this, unable to speak and helpless, until the Thursday, and then gave up his life.

External links Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Godwin, Earl of Wessex

   * Godwin, Earl of Wessex at Genealogics

   * Discussion on soc.genealogy medieval of Godwin's genealogy and possible descent from Alfred the Great's brother.

   * Regia Anglorum Kingmakers - the story of the House of Godwin

Persondata Name Godwin, Earl Of Wessex Alternative names Short description Date of birth Place of birth Date of death 15 April 1053 Place of death

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin,_Earl_of_Wessex" Categories: House of Godwin | Anglo-Norse people | Anglo-Saxon people | Earls of Wessex | Norman conquest of England | 1000s births | 1053 deaths | Burials at Winchester Cathedral | 11th-century English people

House of Godwin

         Ealhmund of Kent

         King of Kent (784)

                      I

                      I

         Egbert of Wessex (c. 770–839)

         King of Wessex (802–839) <nowiki>-------------------------</nowiki> Redburga

                                                                        I

                                                                        I            

                                                                        I

                                                                        I

               Ethelwulf of Wessex (also called Aethelwulf) I 

                                             (c. 800–858)                            I<nowiki>-------------</nowiki>Osburga (810–855)

                                              King of Wessex (839–858)  I       I

                                                                                                         I 

                                                                                                         I I<nowiki>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</nowiki> I

I I-------- Æthelbald (c. 834–860) I Ethelbert (c. 835–865) I I I---------Ethelbert (c. 835–865) I King of Wessex (860–865) I I I----------Ethelred (also called Aethelred I) (c. 837–871) I King of Wessex (865–871) I I---------- Alfred the Great (c. 849–899) I King of Wessex (871–899) (from 878 as King of England) I I----------- Ealhswith (c. 852–905)

         Æthelwold 	

Æthelhelm (c. 859–898), Ealdorman of Wiltshire

Æthelgyth of Mercia

      Æthelfrith (c. 900–927), Ealdorman of Wessex 	

Elfleda of Wessex (c. 890–918)

Edward the Elder (c. 874–924)

       King of England (899–924)

Eadric of Washington, Wessex

      Ælfweard (904–924)

Jarl under Hardeknut den store av Danmark og Danelagen