Difference between revisions of "Harold Harefoot" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Harold Harefoot''' (c. 1015&ndash;March 17, 1040) was King of [[England]] from 1035 to 1040. His suffix, "Harefoot" was for his speed, and the skill of his huntsmanship<ref>For an explanation of this etymology, see Bartlett, Albert Le Roy and McBain, Howard Lee. 1906. ''The Essentials of Language and Grammar.'' NY: Silver, Burdett and Co. page 28.</ref>. He was the son of [[Canute the Great]], King of England, [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and some of the Kingdom of [[Sweden]], through his first wife [[Aelgifu of Northampton]]. Though there was some skepticism he was really Canute's son, this was probably just propaganda by the opponents of his kingship. After Canute's death (November 12, 1035), Harold's younger half-brother [[Harthacanute]], the son of Canute and his queen, [[Emma of Normandy]], was legitimate heir to the thrones of both the Danes and the English although, unlike Harold, he was of foreign lineage while Harold's mother was English. Harthacanute, however, was unable to travel to his coronation, because his Danish kingdom was under threat of invasion by [[King of Norway|King]] [[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus I]] of [[Norway]] and [[Anund Jacob of Sweden]] and he was trying to defend his royal claims in [[Scandinavia]].  
+
'''Harold Harefoot''' (c. 1015&ndash;March 17, 1040) was King of [[England]] from 1035 to 1040. His suffix, "Harefoot" was for his speed, and the skill of his huntsmanship<ref>For an explanation of this etymology, see Bartlett, Albert Le Roy and McBain, Howard Lee. 1906. ''The Essentials of Language and Grammar.'' NY: Silver, Burdett and Co. page 28.</ref>. He was the son of [[Canute the Great]], King of England, [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and some of the Kingdom of [[Sweden]], through his first wife [[Aelgifu of Northampton]]. Though there was some skepticism he was really Canute's son, this was probably just propaganda by the opponents of his kingship. After Canute's death (November 12, 1035), Harold's younger half-brother [[Harthacanute]], the son of Canute and his queen, [[Emma of Normandy]], was legitimate heir to the thrones of both the Danes and the English although, unlike Harold, he was of foreign lineage while Harold's mother was English. Harthacanute, however, was unable to travel to his coronation, because his Danish kingdom was under threat of invasion by [[King of Norway|King]] [[Magnus I of Norway|Magnus I]] of Norway and [[Anund Jacob of Sweden]] and he was trying to defend his royal claims in [[Scandinavia]].  
  
England's magnates favored the idea of installing Harold Harefoot temporarily as [[regent]], due to the difficulty of Harthacanute's absence, and despite the opposition of [[Godwin of Wessex|Godwin]], the Earl of Wessex (who subsequently changed allegiance), and the Queen, he eventually wore the crown. Harold survived an attempt to unseat him led by [[Alfred Aetheling]] and [[Edward the Confessor]], Emma's sons by the long-dead [[Ethelred the Unready]], in 1036. According to [[David Hume]], Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, Harthacanute that of the English, who regarded his mother, Emma, as their Queen.<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 150. Hume's ''History of England, Volume I'' is also available at Project Gutenberg; Hume, David. 1754-62. [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10574 The History of England, Volume I]] Project Gutenberg. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref> Although she was a Norman, she appears to have been embraced by the English as one of their own; her coronation ceremony in 1017 stressed her status as an English Queen who, by her marriage to Canute, made him English too.<ref>Stafford, page 177</ref>Harold's reign more or less marks the end of England's Anglo-Saxon period. [[History|historical]] force favored a closer relationship between England and continental Europe, which was to be achieved through Emma's Norman family in the person of her great-nephew, [[William I of England]]. Arguably, had England remained an off-shore island culturally isolated from Europe, she would not have played the role she later played in world affairs, emerging as a major power and ultimately as a defender of freedom against tyranny in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]].<ref>In comparison, [[Ireland]] for example, almost as physically close to the mainland, did not become involved in European affairs and remained on the side-lines of world history, although making a significant cultural contribution. Of course, Ireland was also incorporated into the British empire, so did participate in and contribute to the development of British power. However, it was England that acquired an empire and, before the [[United States]] entered the war, led the battle against [[Adolf Hitler]] and world tyranny.</ref>
+
England's magnates favored the idea of installing Harold Harefoot temporarily as [[regent]], due to the difficulty of Harthacanute's absence, and despite the opposition of [[Godwin of Wessex|Godwin]], the Earl of Wessex (who subsequently changed allegiance), and the Queen, he eventually wore the crown. Harold survived an attempt to unseat him led by [[Alfred Aetheling]] and [[Edward the Confessor]], Emma's sons by the long-dead [[Ethelred the Unready]], in 1036. According to [[David Hume]], Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, Harthacanute that of the English, who regarded his mother, Emma, as their Queen.<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 150. Hume's ''History of England, Volume I'' is also available at Project Gutenberg; Hume, David. 1754-62. [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10574 The History of England, Volume I]] Project Gutenberg. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref> Although she was a Norman, she appears to have been embraced by the English as one of their own; her coronation ceremony in 1017 stressed her status as an English Queen who, by her marriage to Canute, made him English too.<ref>Stafford, page 177</ref>Harold's reign more or less marks the end of England's Anglo-Saxon period. [[History|historical]] force favored a closer relationship between England and continental Europe, which was to be achieved through Emma's Norman family in the person of her great-nephew, [[William I of England]]. Arguably, had England remained an off-shore island culturally isolated from Europe, she would not have played the role she later played in world affairs, emerging as a major power and ultimately as a defender of freedom against tyranny in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]].<ref>In comparison, [[Ireland]] for example, almost as physically close to the mainland, did not become involved in European affairs and remained on the side-lines of world history, although making a significant cultural contribution. Of course, Ireland was also incorporated into the British empire, so did participate in and contribute to the development of British power. However, it was England that acquired an empire and, before the [[United States]] entered the war, led the battle against [[Adolf Hitler]] and world tyranny.</ref>
  
 
==Birth and Childhood==
 
==Birth and Childhood==
Aelgifu of Northampton may have been Canute's legal wife according to [[paganism|pagan]] rather than [[Christianity|Christian]] rites. At this period, pagan and Christian rites were practiced in parallel even by kings. It was not unusual, either, for a man of rank to set aside his marriage vows if the prospect of a better marriage presents itself.<ref>O'Brien, page 33.</ref> It is difficult to see how he could have officially divorced her at this time when [[Roman Catholic]] law would have made it almost impossible for a man to divorce a woman with whom he had consummated the marriage. It is more likely that the marriage itself was not recognized as valid by the Church. After becoming King of England, according to the ''Encomium Emmae'', Canute resolved to marry the widow of King Ethelred to legitimize his own claim to the throne. She made it a condition that any male son by Canute became heir-apparent. David Hume refers to a treaty between Canute and Emma's brother, Richard II of Normandy stipulating that any son by Emma would become his heir.<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 150.</ref><ref "name=Campbell>Campbell, page 33.</ref> Canute had obviously put Aelgifu aside because his marriage with Emma was carried out by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] as was their joint-coronation. For the first time ever, as Queen, Emma was to have a "share in the King's rule". Aelgifu appears to have continued to live in comfort in Northampton, with her sons. She also appears to have exercised some degree of [[politics|political]] influence among the Northern barons, despite her dubious statement. When Canute died in 1035, Harthacanute was declared King but was absent from England involved in securing his rights to the Scandinavian kingdoms which his father had ruled.
+
Aelgifu of Northampton may have been Canute's legal wife according to [[paganism|pagan]] rather than [[Christianity|Christian]] rites. At this period, pagan and Christian rites were practiced in parallel even by kings. It was not unusual, either, for a man of rank to set aside his marriage vows if the prospect of a better marriage presents itself.<ref>O'Brien, page 33.</ref> It is difficult to see how he could have officially divorced her at this time when [[Roman Catholic]] law would have made it almost impossible for a man to divorce a woman with whom he had consummated the marriage. It is more likely that the marriage itself was not recognized as valid by the Church. After becoming King of England, according to the ''Encomium Emmae'', Canute resolved to marry the widow of King Ethelred to legitimize his own claim to the throne. She made it a condition that any male son by Canute became heir-apparent. David Hume refers to a treaty between Canute and Emma's brother, Richard II of Normandy stipulating that any son by Emma would become his heir.<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 150.</ref><ref "name=Campbell>Campbell, page 33.</ref> Canute had obviously put Aelgifu aside because his marriage with Emma was carried out by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] as was their joint-coronation. For the first time ever, as Queen, Emma was to have a "share in the King's rule." Aelgifu appears to have continued to live in comfort in Northampton, with her sons. She also appears to have exercised some degree of [[politics|political]] influence among the Northern barons, despite her dubious statement. When Canute died in 1035, Harthacanute was declared King but was absent from England involved in securing his rights to the Scandinavian kingdoms which his father had ruled.
  
 
==Assumes the throne==
 
==Assumes the throne==
With the north at least on Harold's side due to a deal, of which Earl Godwin, despite having faithfully served Canute. was part, Emma was settled in [[Winchester]], with Harthacanute's housecarl (soldiers of the royal household, often sons of the barons raised at the court). There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.<ref name="Literary"> [http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1667 "Reign of King Harold Harefoot"], ''The Literary Encyclopedia'', May 5, 2006. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref> According to the ''[[Encomium Emmae]]'', though, the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] refused to crown Harold Harefoot.   Emma may have been regent for Harthacanute; certainly, she was protecting his interests and had the royal treasury in her possession. During 1035, Harold seized "all her best treasure", perhaps including the royal regalia.<ref "name=Campbell">Campbell, page Xiii.</ref><ref name="Stenton">Stenton. pages 420&ndash;421; quoting segments from the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''.</ref> and the Kingdom of England was practically his. Emma, though, was not impoverished because in 1034 treasures would be seized from her a second time and even after that she continued to patronize the Church.
+
With the north at least on Harold's side due to a deal, of which Earl Godwin, despite having faithfully served Canute. was part, Emma was settled in [[Winchester]], with Harthacanute's housecarl (soldiers of the royal household, often sons of the barons raised at the court). There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.<ref name="Literary"> [http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1667 "Reign of King Harold Harefoot"], ''The Literary Encyclopedia'', May 5, 2006. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref> According to the ''[[Encomium Emmae]]'', though, the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] refused to crown Harold Harefoot. Emma may have been regent for Harthacanute; certainly, she was protecting his interests and had the royal treasury in her possession. During 1035, Harold seized "all her best treasure," perhaps including the royal regalia.<ref "name=Campbell">Campbell, page Xiii.</ref><ref name="Stenton">Stenton. pages 420&ndash;421; quoting segments from the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''.</ref> and the Kingdom of England was practically his. Emma, though, was not impoverished because in 1034 treasures would be seized from her a second time and even after that she continued to patronize the Church.
  
According to the ''[[Encomium Emmae]]'', though, the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] refused to crown Harold Harefoot. There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.<ref name="Bolton">Tim Bolton, [http://www.literarydictionary.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1667 "Reign of King Harold Harefoot"], ''The Literary Encyclopedia'', May 5, 2006.</ref> The ''Encomium'' was commissioned by and written for Emma shortly after she took refuge from Harold, and is by no means sympathetic towards him. Due to Canute's generosity to the Church, accounts written of this period - by clerics - tend to be sympathetic towards. Accounts written by Norman writers after the [[Norman Conquest of England|1066 Conquest]] are also sympathetic towards Emma's sons because it was through Emma, his great-aunt, that William I of England claimed the throne. Comparatively little is therefore known about Harold.
+
According to the ''[[Encomium Emmae]]'', though, the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] refused to crown Harold Harefoot. There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.<ref name="Bolton">Tim Bolton, [http://www.literarydictionary.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1667 "Reign of King Harold Harefoot"], ''The Literary Encyclopedia'', May 5, 2006.</ref> The ''Encomium'' was commissioned by and written for Emma shortly after she took refuge from Harold, and is by no means sympathetic towards him. Due to Canute's generosity to the Church, accounts written of this period - by clerics - tend to be sympathetic towards. Accounts written by Norman writers after the [[Norman Conquest of England|1066 Conquest]] are also sympathetic towards Emma's sons because it was through Emma, his great-aunt, that William I of England claimed the throne. Comparatively little is therefore known about Harold.  
  
 
==Alfred and Edward's invasion==
 
==Alfred and Edward's invasion==
Line 34: Line 34:
  
 
==Rule as King==
 
==Rule as King==
The historian Sir Frank Stenton, considered it probable that his mother Aelgifu was "the real ruler of England" for part or all of his reign.<ref name="Stenton">Stenton, page 421.</ref> If so, with her rival Emma, Aelgifu shares in the distinction of ruling through her sons - Emma appears to have exercised considerable authority during Harthacanute's reign from 1040 to 1042 but less when Edward became king. Her own account speaks of a Trinity of mother and sons as sharers in the rule of kingship.<ref "name=Campbell">Campbell, page 53.</ref>  While little is known of Harold's rule, it appears that he was not challenged during the five years that followed, until his death in 1840. He may have reached an agreement with Harthacanute by which he governed England as regent. His own son, Elfwine, made no bid for the throne, so the way was open for Harthacanute to succeed. In the light of the lack of accounts of oppression, controversy or revolt Harold's reign may have been quite peaceful. Hume has it that he did nothing remarkable during his four years, "gave ... a bad specimen of his character" and died little regretted or esteemed by his subjects."<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 151.</ref>Harold died at [[Oxford]] on March 17, 1040, just as Harthacanute was preparing an invasion force of Danes, and was buried at the [[Westminster Abbey|abbey of Westminster]]<ref name="Literary"/>. His body was subsequently exhumed, beheaded, and thrown into a fen bordering the [[River Thames|Thames]] when Harthacanute assumed the throne in June, 1040.<ref>This may have been motivated partly in response to the murder of Alfred, Harthacanute's half-brother, and partly for his perceived theft of the crown.</ref> His supporters later rescued the body, to be buried in a church which was fittingly named St Clement Danes.<ref>[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12271 Harold Harefoot.] Find a Grave. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref>
+
The historian Sir Frank Stenton, considered it probable that his mother Aelgifu was "the real ruler of England" for part or all of his reign.<ref name="Stenton">Stenton, page 421.</ref> If so, with her rival Emma, Aelgifu shares in the distinction of ruling through her sons - Emma appears to have exercised considerable authority during Harthacanute's reign from 1040 to 1042 but less when Edward became king. Her own account speaks of a Trinity of mother and sons as sharers in the rule of kingship.<ref "name=Campbell">Campbell, page 53.</ref>  While little is known of Harold's rule, it appears that he was not challenged during the five years that followed, until his death in 1840. He may have reached an agreement with Harthacanute by which he governed England as regent. His own son, Elfwine, made no bid for the throne, so the way was open for Harthacanute to succeed. In the light of the lack of accounts of oppression, controversy or revolt Harold's reign may have been quite peaceful. Hume has it that he did nothing remarkable during his four years, "gave ... a bad specimen of his character" and died little regretted or esteemed by his subjects."<ref "name=Hume">Hume, page 151.</ref>Harold died at [[Oxford]] on March 17, 1040, just as Harthacanute was preparing an invasion force of Danes, and was buried at the [[Westminster Abbey|abbey of Westminster]]<ref name="Literary"/>. His body was subsequently exhumed, beheaded, and thrown into a fen bordering the [[River Thames|Thames]] when Harthacanute assumed the throne in June, 1040.<ref>This may have been motivated partly in response to the murder of Alfred, Harthacanute's half-brother, and partly for his perceived theft of the crown.</ref> His supporters later rescued the body, to be buried in a church which was fittingly named St Clement Danes.<ref>[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12271 Harold Harefoot.] Find a Grave. Retrieved August 16, 2008.</ref>
  
 
==Offspring==
 
==Offspring==
Line 40: Line 40:
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
Harold's legal claim on the throne depends on the status of Canute's marriage with Aelfgifu, which may or may not have had the blessing of the Church, which at this time was responsible for both marriage and divorce. Conditions for the granting of the latter were almost non-existent, unless it could be proved that either party did not properly consent or that the marriage was not consummated, which did not apply in this case. It is more likely that the marriage had been contracted using a pagan right. The tradition of primogeniture was not firmly established at this time. In fact, any son, legitimate or not, might decide to contest the throne. William the Conqueror (William I of England) was illegitimate but was named heir by his father, Robert I of Normandy and illegitimacy did not prevent William from claiming a relationship with his great-aunt in pursuance of his ambition to ascend the English throne. If it is true that Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, it could be because Christianity was less established at this time in Scandinavia, and the Danes honored Canute's pagan marriage over his Christian marriage. So little is known of his reign that an assessment of its legacy is problematic.
+
Harold's legal claim on the throne depends on the status of Canute's marriage with Aelfgifu, which may or may not have had the blessing of the Church, which at this time was responsible for both marriage and divorce. Conditions for the granting of the latter were almost non-existent, unless it could be proved that either party did not properly consent or that the marriage was not consummated, which did not apply in this case. It is more likely that the marriage had been contracted using a pagan right. The tradition of primogeniture was not firmly established at this time. In fact, any son, legitimate or not, might decide to contest the throne. William the Conqueror (William I of England) was illegitimate but was named heir by his father, Robert I of Normandy and illegitimacy did not prevent William from claiming a relationship with his great-aunt in pursuance of his ambition to ascend the English throne. If it is true that Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, it could be because Christianity was less established at this time in Scandinavia, and the Danes honored Canute's pagan marriage over his Christian marriage. So little is known of his reign that an assessment of its legacy is problematic.  
  
What can be said is that if he had succeeded in establishing a lineage, the crown might not have passed, as it did, to Emma's great-nephew, this ending the Anglo-Saxon period of England's history. On the other hand, he did not achieve this and the crown did pass to Normandy, and as a consequence the story of England became much more closely entwined with that of [[Europe]], changing the course of history. Emma had been given in marriage to Ethelred to create a cross-channel alliance against the [[Vikings]], who constantly raided England and impoverished the Kingdom through the [[Danegeld]] tax. England was reaching a point in history when she could not remain aloof from European politics but needed alliances and allies. Anglo-Saxon culture was different from that of most of [[France]], her nearest neighbor. The Norman ascendancy resulted in the development of a  blended culture, mixing the old Anglo-Saxon with the French or Norman culture of the newcomers. History was in favor of the Norman cause, not the Anglo-Saxon, at this juncture.
+
What can be said is that if he had succeeded in establishing a lineage, the crown might not have passed, as it did, to Emma's great-nephew, this ending the Anglo-Saxon period of England's history. On the other hand, he did not achieve this and the crown did pass to Normandy, and as a consequence the story of England became much more closely entwined with that of [[Europe]], changing the course of history. Emma had been given in marriage to Ethelred to create a cross-channel alliance against the [[Vikings]], who constantly raided England and impoverished the Kingdom through the [[Danegeld]] tax. England was reaching a point in history when she could not remain aloof from European politics but needed alliances and allies. Anglo-Saxon culture was different from that of most of [[France]], her nearest neighbor. The Norman ascendancy resulted in the development of a  blended culture, mixing the old Anglo-Saxon with the French or Norman culture of the newcomers. History was in favor of the Norman cause, not the Anglo-Saxon, at this juncture.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Revision as of 20:04, 18 August 2008

Harold Harefoot
King of England
File:Harold Harefoot.jpg
Reign November 12, 1035 – March 17, 1040
Predecessor Canute the Great
Successor Harthacanute
Issue
Elfwine
Father Canute the Great
Mother Ælgifu
Born c. 1015
Died March 17 1040
England
Buried
St Clement Danes, Westminster, England

Harold Harefoot (c. 1015–March 17, 1040) was King of England from 1035 to 1040. His suffix, "Harefoot" was for his speed, and the skill of his huntsmanship[1]. He was the son of Canute the Great, King of England, Denmark, Norway, and some of the Kingdom of Sweden, through his first wife Aelgifu of Northampton. Though there was some skepticism he was really Canute's son, this was probably just propaganda by the opponents of his kingship. After Canute's death (November 12, 1035), Harold's younger half-brother Harthacanute, the son of Canute and his queen, Emma of Normandy, was legitimate heir to the thrones of both the Danes and the English although, unlike Harold, he was of foreign lineage while Harold's mother was English. Harthacanute, however, was unable to travel to his coronation, because his Danish kingdom was under threat of invasion by King Magnus I of Norway and Anund Jacob of Sweden and he was trying to defend his royal claims in Scandinavia.

England's magnates favored the idea of installing Harold Harefoot temporarily as regent, due to the difficulty of Harthacanute's absence, and despite the opposition of Godwin, the Earl of Wessex (who subsequently changed allegiance), and the Queen, he eventually wore the crown. Harold survived an attempt to unseat him led by Alfred Aetheling and Edward the Confessor, Emma's sons by the long-dead Ethelred the Unready, in 1036. According to David Hume, Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, Harthacanute that of the English, who regarded his mother, Emma, as their Queen.[2] Although she was a Norman, she appears to have been embraced by the English as one of their own; her coronation ceremony in 1017 stressed her status as an English Queen who, by her marriage to Canute, made him English too.[3]Harold's reign more or less marks the end of England's Anglo-Saxon period. historical force favored a closer relationship between England and continental Europe, which was to be achieved through Emma's Norman family in the person of her great-nephew, William I of England. Arguably, had England remained an off-shore island culturally isolated from Europe, she would not have played the role she later played in world affairs, emerging as a major power and ultimately as a defender of freedom against tyranny in World War I and World War II.[4]

Birth and Childhood

Aelgifu of Northampton may have been Canute's legal wife according to pagan rather than Christian rites. At this period, pagan and Christian rites were practiced in parallel even by kings. It was not unusual, either, for a man of rank to set aside his marriage vows if the prospect of a better marriage presents itself.[5] It is difficult to see how he could have officially divorced her at this time when Roman Catholic law would have made it almost impossible for a man to divorce a woman with whom he had consummated the marriage. It is more likely that the marriage itself was not recognized as valid by the Church. After becoming King of England, according to the Encomium Emmae, Canute resolved to marry the widow of King Ethelred to legitimize his own claim to the throne. She made it a condition that any male son by Canute became heir-apparent. David Hume refers to a treaty between Canute and Emma's brother, Richard II of Normandy stipulating that any son by Emma would become his heir.[6][7] Canute had obviously put Aelgifu aside because his marriage with Emma was carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury as was their joint-coronation. For the first time ever, as Queen, Emma was to have a "share in the King's rule." Aelgifu appears to have continued to live in comfort in Northampton, with her sons. She also appears to have exercised some degree of political influence among the Northern barons, despite her dubious statement. When Canute died in 1035, Harthacanute was declared King but was absent from England involved in securing his rights to the Scandinavian kingdoms which his father had ruled.

Assumes the throne

With the north at least on Harold's side due to a deal, of which Earl Godwin, despite having faithfully served Canute. was part, Emma was settled in Winchester, with Harthacanute's housecarl (soldiers of the royal household, often sons of the barons raised at the court). There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.[8] According to the Encomium Emmae, though, the Archbishop of Canterbury refused to crown Harold Harefoot. Emma may have been regent for Harthacanute; certainly, she was protecting his interests and had the royal treasury in her possession. During 1035, Harold seized "all her best treasure," perhaps including the royal regalia.[9][10] and the Kingdom of England was practically his. Emma, though, was not impoverished because in 1034 treasures would be seized from her a second time and even after that she continued to patronize the Church.

According to the Encomium Emmae, though, the Archbishop of Canterbury refused to crown Harold Harefoot. There is evidence that Aelgifu of Northampton was attempting to secure her son's position through bribes to the nobles.[11] The Encomium was commissioned by and written for Emma shortly after she took refuge from Harold, and is by no means sympathetic towards him. Due to Canute's generosity to the Church, accounts written of this period - by clerics - tend to be sympathetic towards. Accounts written by Norman writers after the 1066 Conquest are also sympathetic towards Emma's sons because it was through Emma, his great-aunt, that William I of England claimed the throne. Comparatively little is therefore known about Harold.

Alfred and Edward's invasion

The runestone Sm 42, in Småland, Sweden, mentions Harold Harefoot.[12]

In 1036, Alfred Atheling, Emma's son by the long dead Ethelred, returned to the kingdom from exile in Normandy with his brother Edward the Confessor, with some show of arms. With his bodyguard, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle he intended to visit his mother, Emma, in Winchester, but he may have made this journey for anything other than a family reunion. As the "murmur was very much in favor of Harold," Alfred was captured on the direction of Godwin, on Harold's side despite his faithful service to Canute (probably bribed by Aelgifu) and the men loyal to Harefoot blinded him. He subsequently died soon after due to the severity of the wounds, his bodyguard similarly treated.[10] The Encomium has Harold send a forged letter from Emma to her sons, asking them to visit her. Camp ell, John and Wormald take it that the letter was in fact genuine; "presumably the encomianst sought to explain it away because of its disastrous results."[13] In 1037, Emma of Normandy took refuge in Bruges, in Flanders, and Harold was de facto king.

Rule as King

The historian Sir Frank Stenton, considered it probable that his mother Aelgifu was "the real ruler of England" for part or all of his reign.[10] If so, with her rival Emma, Aelgifu shares in the distinction of ruling through her sons - Emma appears to have exercised considerable authority during Harthacanute's reign from 1040 to 1042 but less when Edward became king. Her own account speaks of a Trinity of mother and sons as sharers in the rule of kingship.[14] While little is known of Harold's rule, it appears that he was not challenged during the five years that followed, until his death in 1840. He may have reached an agreement with Harthacanute by which he governed England as regent. His own son, Elfwine, made no bid for the throne, so the way was open for Harthacanute to succeed. In the light of the lack of accounts of oppression, controversy or revolt Harold's reign may have been quite peaceful. Hume has it that he did nothing remarkable during his four years, "gave ... a bad specimen of his character" and died little regretted or esteemed by his subjects."[15]Harold died at Oxford on March 17, 1040, just as Harthacanute was preparing an invasion force of Danes, and was buried at the abbey of Westminster[8]. His body was subsequently exhumed, beheaded, and thrown into a fen bordering the Thames when Harthacanute assumed the throne in June, 1040.[16] His supporters later rescued the body, to be buried in a church which was fittingly named St Clement Danes.[17]

Offspring

Harold's son, Elfwine, who became a monk and Abbot on the continent did not contest the throne.[18] Aelfgifu of Northampton disappears with no trace at this space in time. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Harold Harefoot ruled for 4 years and 16 weeks, by which calculation he would have begun ruling two weeks after the death of Canute. [19]

Legacy

Harold's legal claim on the throne depends on the status of Canute's marriage with Aelfgifu, which may or may not have had the blessing of the Church, which at this time was responsible for both marriage and divorce. Conditions for the granting of the latter were almost non-existent, unless it could be proved that either party did not properly consent or that the marriage was not consummated, which did not apply in this case. It is more likely that the marriage had been contracted using a pagan right. The tradition of primogeniture was not firmly established at this time. In fact, any son, legitimate or not, might decide to contest the throne. William the Conqueror (William I of England) was illegitimate but was named heir by his father, Robert I of Normandy and illegitimacy did not prevent William from claiming a relationship with his great-aunt in pursuance of his ambition to ascend the English throne. If it is true that Harold enjoyed the support of the Danes, it could be because Christianity was less established at this time in Scandinavia, and the Danes honored Canute's pagan marriage over his Christian marriage. So little is known of his reign that an assessment of its legacy is problematic.

What can be said is that if he had succeeded in establishing a lineage, the crown might not have passed, as it did, to Emma's great-nephew, this ending the Anglo-Saxon period of England's history. On the other hand, he did not achieve this and the crown did pass to Normandy, and as a consequence the story of England became much more closely entwined with that of Europe, changing the course of history. Emma had been given in marriage to Ethelred to create a cross-channel alliance against the Vikings, who constantly raided England and impoverished the Kingdom through the Danegeld tax. England was reaching a point in history when she could not remain aloof from European politics but needed alliances and allies. Anglo-Saxon culture was different from that of most of France, her nearest neighbor. The Norman ascendancy resulted in the development of a blended culture, mixing the old Anglo-Saxon with the French or Norman culture of the newcomers. History was in favor of the Norman cause, not the Anglo-Saxon, at this juncture.

Notes

  1. For an explanation of this etymology, see Bartlett, Albert Le Roy and McBain, Howard Lee. 1906. The Essentials of Language and Grammar. NY: Silver, Burdett and Co. page 28.
  2. Hume, page 150. Hume's History of England, Volume I is also available at Project Gutenberg; Hume, David. 1754-62. The History of England, Volume I] Project Gutenberg. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  3. Stafford, page 177
  4. In comparison, Ireland for example, almost as physically close to the mainland, did not become involved in European affairs and remained on the side-lines of world history, although making a significant cultural contribution. Of course, Ireland was also incorporated into the British empire, so did participate in and contribute to the development of British power. However, it was England that acquired an empire and, before the United States entered the war, led the battle against Adolf Hitler and world tyranny.
  5. O'Brien, page 33.
  6. Hume, page 150.
  7. Campbell, page 33.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Reign of King Harold Harefoot", The Literary Encyclopedia, May 5, 2006. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  9. Campbell, page Xiii.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Stenton. pages 420–421; quoting segments from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Stenton" defined multiple times with different content
  11. Tim Bolton, "Reign of King Harold Harefoot", The Literary Encyclopedia, May 5, 2006.
  12. Pritsak, Omeljan. 1981. The origin of Rus. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. ISBN 0-674-64465-4 p. 343
  13. Campbell, et al. 1991. page 216.
  14. Campbell, page 53.
  15. Hume, page 151.
  16. This may have been motivated partly in response to the murder of Alfred, Harthacanute's half-brother, and partly for his perceived theft of the crown.
  17. Harold Harefoot. Find a Grave. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  18. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Literay
  19. ASC manuscript E, 1039 (1040); for the calculation, see Swanton. , page 161, note 18.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Campbell, Alistair, and Simon Keynes. 1998. Encomium Emmae Reginae. Camden classic reprints, 4. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press for the Royal Historical Society. ISBN 9780521626552
  • Campbell, James, John, Eric and Wormald, Patrick. 1991. The Anglo-Saxons. (Penguin History) NY: Penguin. ISBN 978-0140143959
  • Hume, David. 2006. The History of England Volume I. Charleston, SC: BiblioBazaar. ISBN 978426442308.
  • O'Brien, Harriet. 2005. Queen Emma and the Vikings: power, love and greed in eleventh century England. NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781582345963
  • Stafford, Pauline. 2001. Queen Emma and Queen Edith: Queenship and Women's Power in Eleventh-century England. Malden, MA: Blackwell's ISBN 9780631166795
  • Stenton, F. M. 1989. Anglo-Saxon England. NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192822376


Preceded by:
Canute the Great
King of England
1035–1040
Succeeded by:
Harthacanute

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