Harold Godwinson

Synopsis for Harold Godwinson Harold is the second eldest son of Godwin, the Earl of Wessex. He is also favored by the king, Edward the Confessor who sends him to expel Magnus the Good of Norway who is attempting to invade. Harold defeats Magnus and returns home victorious. He then faces another challenge. His father has decided on a consort for him, Edith of Essex, the daughter of a merchant. Though unsure at first, the two find love for each other. Harold is challenged by his brother Sweyn who has returned from exile and is now threatening his king and his family. Harold has no other choice but to answer the challenge. He has been ordered to kill his brother, but when the time comes he can't do it. He lets his brother go, telling his father that he could not kill his brother. His father accepts this and they move on. Godwin is faced with the next challenge. He has been banished for disobeying royal edicts to punish his people for crimes they are not guilty of. He and his wife flee to Flanders while Harold and his brother Leofwine escape to Ireland where they raise an army. When his father calls, Harold joins him with his Irish mercenaries and they march on London. The King forgives and reinstates the family. Harold discovers that his brother Wulfnoth, who had been held hostage, has been spirited away to France and may be in the keeping of Duke William of Normandy. Godwin orders him not to go after Wulfnoth. Godwin passes away, which means that Harold then ascends to become the Earl of Wessex. King Edward sends Harold out to deal with the Welsh trouble maker, Gryffud ap Llwellyn. Harold manages to kill Gryffud, but his faithful Lieutenant, Wolef, is killed. Harold decides to take the chance ans sail to Normandy in an attempt to bargain for his brother's return. He is ship wrecked on the shores of Pontheiu and is taken prisoner by Count Guy who keeps him for a while. He is then taken by Duke William, who does have his brother. William talks Harold into helping him defeat his enemies in battle. Then he tricks Harold into promising him the throne of England by having him swear upon hidden relics. Harold is allowed to return home, but Wulfnoth is not. Edwin and Morcar of Mercia have brought up troubling reports about what Harold's brother Tostig is doing in North Umbria. He is taxing the starving people far too much and they are on the verge of revolt. King Edward calls on the Witan to deal with this issue and Tostig is found guilty and banished. He blames Harold for his misfortunes. King Edward the Confessor dies, but before he does he says that he wishes for Harold to be king. The Witan meets and weighs the merits of the four candidates. They finally decide that Harold would be the best choice. Harold is shocked, but has no choice. Duke William calls him a liar with no honor for becoming king. Harold decides to marry Ealdgyth of Mercia, but still favors his consort, Edith. Harold gets a report that Tostig and Harald Hardrada of Norway are attacking in the north. He gathers his army and goes to do battle with them. Meanwhile, William of Normandy has landed in the south and also wishes to see Harold dead. Harold defeats his brother and the Norwegian king and rushes south to fight William. After nine hours of battle, the shield wall is broken, and the rest is history.