King Harold II

Harold was named Earl of East Anglia some time in 1044 or 1045 and helped defend England against invasion by Magnus of Norway, who had been promised the succession by Harthecnut. During this time, he also started his enduring relationship with Ealdgytha Svannehals. In 1047, Harold's older brother, Sweyn, was exiled as punishment for abducting the abbess of Leominster. His lands were divided between Harold and their cousin Beorn. When Sweyn tried to get a royal pardon and his lands back, Harold and Beorn refused to release the lands, leading Sweyn to kidnap and kill Beorn. During this time, Edward was relying on Harold's ability to help allies on the continent, sending Harold to support Emperor Heinrich III. However, in 1051, Godwin and his entire family was sent into exile to Ireland. They returned a year later and when Godwin died in 1053, Harold received his lands, becoming the most powerful earl in the kingdom. Around the time of his return, his sister, Ealdgyth, married King Edward.

In 1064, Harold found himself shipwrecked when a storm blew him to Ponthieu, between Normandy and Flanders. The Count of Ponthieu, took Harold captive and turned him over to Duke William of Normandy, who only gave Harold his freedom after coercing acknowledgement that William would be Edward's successor. While such promises could be considered binding under the Norman system, in England, the monarch was selected by an assembly and Harold had no right to make the promise, which would have been made under duress in any event. However, this promise, as well as one made by Edward to William when Harold was in exile in Ireland, led to William's invasion following Edward's death in 1066.

Upon Edward's death, the witanangemot selected Harold to be his successor. He gathered a force to beat off invasion attempts by both William coming from Normandy and Harald Hardraada, coming from Norway.Victorious against his brother Tostig and Harald Hardraada at Stamford Bridge, Harold was killed at Hastings only 19 days later.