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Biography
Biography
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Godwin (Earl of Wessex)

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 Borncirca 1000   Born At
 Died1053  Buried At
 Borncirca 1000 / 
 Died1053 / 
ing Canute gave Godwin the title of Earl of Wessex and Godwin very quickly rose to be extremely powerful. The area of Wessex on the south coast of England contained many wealthy cites. Godwin was so respected that he married Gytha, the sister of Earl UIf of Denmark who was married to Canute's sister. Godwin remained in power after the death of Canute and during the short reigns of Harold Harefoot and Harthacnut. In 1036 Godwin may have been responsible for the murder of Alfred, Edward the Confessor's brother. Alfred had arrived in England to claim the throne but had been killed. In 1043 Edward the Confessor became King of England and there must have been some tension between the men, but Godwin remained in power and Edward even married Godwin's daughter Edith. From that point onwards Godwin more or less ran the entire country.

Expelled

A brief interruption occurred when Godwin opposed Edward's Norman advisors and in 1051 the Godwins revolted against the king. Edward expelled them from the country and at about the same time he promised William (the Conqueror) that he could have a claim to the English throne after Edward died. This may have been a ploy by Edward to prevent the Godwins claiming the throne themselves. In 1052 the Godwins, including Harold Godwinson, invaded England with a large army and Edward had to reinstate them to their former positions. Earl Godwin died in following year.

Related Episodes

Viking Invasions (click here)

Viking Invasions (click here)

Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwine (click here)

Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwine (click here)

Family (6)

Children

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Fantasy image of Godwinson, Sweyn
Godwinson, Sweyn
Fantasy image of HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
Fantasy image of Tostig (Earl of Northumbria)
Tostig (Earl of Northumbria)
Fantasy image of Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia)
Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia)
Fantasy image of Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex)
Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex)
Fantasy image of Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex)
Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex)
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tab 3

 

Family Tree Details

 Godwin (Earl of Wessex) (b.1000? - d.1053)
    +Gytha
        = Godwinson, Sweyn ( - d.1052)
        = HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066) (b.1022 - d.1066)
        = Tostig (Earl of Northumbria) (b.1025? - d.1066)
        = Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia) ( - d.1066)
        = Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex) ( - d.1066)
        = Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex) (b.1025? - d.1075)
            +Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066) (b.1003? - d.1066?)
 Godwin (Earl of Wessex) (b.1000? - d.1053)
    +Gytha
        = Godwinson, Sweyn ( - d.1052)
        = HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066) (b.1022 - d.1066)
        = Tostig (Earl of Northumbria) (b.1025? - d.1066)
        = Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia) ( - d.1066)
        = Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex) ( - d.1066)
        = Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex) (b.1025? - d.1075)
            +Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066) (b.1003? - d.1066?)

See Also

    People

    • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
    • HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
    • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
    • Godwinson, Sweyn
    • Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia)
    • Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex)
    • Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex)
    • Champart, Robert (of Jumieges, Archbishop of Canterbury)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Other

    • Wessex

    Timeline

    1035    (Age: 35yrs)
    Nov 12
    Canute dies

    King Canute died at Shaftesbury leaving the rule of the country in dispute between Harthacnut (the son of Emma) and Harold Harefoot (the son of Aelfgifu). The Earls of Northumbria and Mercia supported Harold's claim while Earl Godwin supported Harthacanute's. Canute's body was taken to Winchester to be buried. Harthacnut was in Denmark at the time of his father's death and was unable to travel to England because of invasion threats.

    1036    (Age: 36yrs)
    ...
    Harold declared regent of England

    With Harthacnut still in Denmark a meeting was held at Oxford that chose Harold to act as regent of England.

    Feb
    Alfred Aetheling dies

    Both Edward the Confessor and Alfred, his younger brother, came to England at different times to try and take back the English throne. Edward's attempt failed. Some time later Alfred landed in England believing he had safe conduct but his army was met by Earl Godwin and was massacred. Alfred was captured and blinded. He died shortlly afterwards from his injuries.

    1041    (Age: 41yrs)
    ...
    Edward the Confessor returns to England

    After a long exile at the Norman court Edward the Confessor returned to England. Harthacanute had no wife or heir so had invited Edward to return as Edward had the right to claim the English throne. Edward's right to the throne was not certain and so he enlisted the help of Earl Godwin, who agreed to give his assistance if Edward married his daughter Edith. Edward was accompanied by Robert Champart, the Abbot of Jumieges who would become one of Edwards key councellors. ¹

    1045    (Age: 45yrs)
    Jan
    Edward the Confessor marries

    Edward married Edith, the daughter of Earl Godwin. Godwin was then in an extremely powerful position being related to the King of England.

    1051    (Age: 51yrs)
    Mar
    Robert of Jumieges becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

    Late in 1050, Eadsige, the archbishop of Canterbury died. The monks of Canterbury favoured Aelric, one of their fellow monks to become the next archbishop and Earl Godwin was approached to help push his appointment through. But King Edward appointed his favourite councellor Robert of Jumieges to the post instead.

    Sep
    Edward expels the Godwin family

    An incident occurred when Eustace II Count of Boulogne visited Edward the Confessor, his brother-in-law. The incident occurred in Dover where a fight broke out between the Norman visitors and the locals resulting in the deaths of several people. The area of Dover was under the control of the Godwin family and Edward the Confessor, who blamed the people of Dover for the fight, told Earl Godwin to deal with them. Godwin refused to obey Edward's order and in response Edward raised an army and forced the Godwin family into exile.

    1052    (Age: 52yrs)
    May
    The Godwins invade England

    Godwin, Earl of Wessex, his son Harold and a large fleet sailed up the Thames to London forcing Edward to reinstate them into their previous positions of power.

    1053    (Age: 53yrs)
    Apr
    Harold becomes Earl of Wessex

    Godwin, Earl of Wessex, died and Harold Godwinson inherited his title.

    1055
    Oct 24
    Rebellion of Aelfgar of Mercia

    Aelfgar, earl of Mercia was outlawed by the witan. In revenge he built a force and allied himself with Welsh Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. After defeating the King's nephew, Radulf, they attacked Hereford and raided the church killing several canons and taking everything of value leaving the building on fire. The rebels also attacked Leominster. ¹

    1099
    ...
    Goodwin Sands

    The sea rose in many places around England and Scotland and an area of land of Kent that belonged to Earl Godwin was covered in sand. The name being corrupted to Goodwin Sands.

    3D Virtual Reconstructions

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    More medieval people

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    Selection of references used:

    • 1. David Charles Douglas, William the Conqueror: the norman impact upon England
    • 2. Peter Potter, Data Donation

      See Also

        People

        • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
        • HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066)
        • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
        • Godwinson, Sweyn
        • Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia)
        • Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex)
        • Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex)
        • Champart, Robert (of Jumieges, Archbishop of Canterbury)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

        Other

        • Wessex
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