Harold II Biography and Timeline

Birth of Harold II

Birth of Harold II, son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex

Role range: 1066-1066

Peerage

Created Earl of East Anglia

Role range: 1066-1066

Exile of Harold II

Harold accompanies hist father, Godwin, into exile

Role range: 1066-1066

Exile of Harold II

Harold returns from exile & helps restore his father, Godwin

Role range: 1066-1066

Death of Harold II

Death of Godwin, Harold Godwineson succeeds to the Earldom of Wessex

Role range: 1066-1066

Chief Minister

Appointed Chief Minister

Role range: 1066-1066

Death of Harold II

Death of Godwin, Harolds father, succeeds as Earl of Wessex

Role range: 1066-1066

Peerage

Created Earl of Wessex, 2nd most powerful person after the King

Role range: 1066-1066

Succession

Succeeds his father Earl Godwin as Earl of Wessex. Claims Edward renounced his succession to William in favor of him on his deathbed

Role range: 1066-1066

Chief Minister

Appointed Chief Minister. Appointed Adviser to brother-in-law Edward the Confessor after the death of Godwin

Role range: 1066-1066

Peerage

Created Earl of Hereford

Role range: 1066-1066

Succession

The Witan elects Harold & William prepares to invade. Succeeds as King of England

Role range: 1066-1066

Arrest of Harold II

Handed over by Guy de Ponthieu to William I the Conqueror at the latters order

Role range: 1066-1066

Arrest of Harold II

Held for ransom by the Count of Ponthieu after being found shipwrecked off France

Role range: 1066-1066

Marriage

Harold II marries Aldith, daughter of the Earl of Mercia & former wife of Gruffydd

Role range: 1066-1066

Oath

Harold allegedly swears an oath to William supporting his claim to the English throne. Harold allegedly swears an oath supporting William Is claim to the English throne. Crosses the Channel & is captured, rescued by William & supports his succession

Role range: 1066-1066

Ransom

Held for ransom by the Count of Ponthieu after being found shipwrecked off France

Role range: 1066-1066

Shipwreck

Held for ransom by the Count of Ponthieu after being found shipwrecked off France

Role range: 1066-1066

Shipwreck

Harold II is shipwrecked off Normandy at Ponthieu

Role range: 1066-1066

Royal Hunting Lodge

Harold supervises construction of a royal hunting residence at Portskewet for Edward the Confessor.

Loss of Workmen

Harold loses workmen when Caradoc's force attacks the royal construction site at Portskewet.

Raid on Portskewet

Caradoc ap Gruffydd attacks the works at Portskewet while Harold's royal building project is underway.

Seizure of Building Supplies

Raiders carry off goods and supplies gathered for Harold's royal building project at Portskewet.

Acceptance of Morcar

Harold accepts Morcar's recognition as Earl of Northumbria as part of the peace settlement.

Acceptance of Tostig's Exile

Harold accepts the settlement that sends his brother Tostig into exile.

Advice Against Civil War

Harold supports compromise rather than a royal military campaign that could trigger civil war.

Oxford Mediation

Harold continues negotiations at Oxford after failing to reconcile Tostig with the Northumbrians.

Presentation of Rebel Demands

Harold presents the rebels' demands to the royal government during the Oxford settlement.

Mediation Mission

Harold meets the rebel leaders at Northampton and attempts to negotiate a peaceful settlement.

Negotiated End of Revolt

Harold secures an agreement that prevents immediate fighting between the royal government and the northern coalition.

News of Northumbrian Revolt

Harold learns that the Northumbrians have rejected his brother Tostig and chosen Morcar.

Rebel Peace Terms

Harold receives demands for Tostig's outlawry and Morcar's recognition from the northern coalition.

Marriage

Agrees to marry Ealdgyth, sister of Edwin & Morcar to gain support for his accession

Role range: 1066-1066

Political Settlement of the North

Harold's negotiated settlement ends the immediate Northumbrian crisis without restoring Tostig.

Rebellion of Rebels in Northumbria

Harold accepts that Tostig cannot be restored without civil war and supports a negotiated settlement.

Rebellion of Rebels in Northumbria

Sent to mediate with the rebels by Edward but Tostig is exiled

Role range: 1066-1066

Succession

Edward tells Harold "I commend Edith & all the Kingdom to your protection"

Role range: 1066-1066

Marriage to Ealdgyth

Around this period Harold marries Ealdgyth, sister of Edwin and Morcar, strengthening ties with the Mercian family.

Marriage

Harold marries Ealdgyth, sister of Edwin and Morcar, strengthening his political links with the Mercian family.

Mercian Marriage Alliance

Harold's marriage to Ealdgyth creates a dynastic link with the powerful house of Mercia.