Difference between revisions of "Harold Harefoot" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | |reign= | + | |reign=November 12, 1035 – March 17, 1040 |
| predecessor=[[Canute the Great]] | | predecessor=[[Canute the Great]] | ||
| successor=[[Harthacanute]] | | successor=[[Harthacanute]] | ||
| − | |date of birth=c. | + | |date of birth=c. 1015 |
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|date of death={{death date|1040|3|17|mf=y}} | |date of death={{death date|1040|3|17|mf=y}} | ||
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| − | '''Harold Harefoot''' (c. | + | '''Harold Harefoot''' (c. 1015–March 17, 1040) was King of [[England]] from 1035 to 1040. His [[cognomen]] "Harefoot" was for his speed, and the skill of his huntsmanship<ref>For an explanation of this etymology, see Albert Le Roy Bartlett, ''The Essentials of Language and Grammar'', Silver, Burdett and Co., 1900, p. 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. He was, however, 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 [[King of Sweden|King]] [[Anund Jacob of Sweden]]. England's magnates<ref></ref> 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, 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. | + | 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. 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="Bolton"/>. 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]]. |
==Assumes the throne== | ==Assumes the throne== | ||
| − | In 1037, Emma of Normandy | + | In 1037, Emma of Normandy too refuge in [[Bruges]], in [[Flanders]], and Harold was de facto king. Harold himself is somewhat obscure; the historian [[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> |
| − | With the north at least on Harold's side, in adherence to the terms of a deal, which Godwin was part of, Emma was settled in [[Winchester]], with Harthacanute's [[housecarl|huscarls]]. Harold soon "sent and had taken from her all the best treasures" of Canute the Great,<ref name="Stenton"> | + | With the north at least on Harold's side, in adherence to the terms of a deal, which Godwin was part of, Emma was settled in [[Winchester]], with Harthacanute's [[housecarl|huscarls]]. Harold soon "sent and had taken from her all the best treasures" of Canute the Great,<ref name="Stenton">Stenton. pages 420–421; quoting segments from the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''.</ref> and the Kingdom of England was practically his. |
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> | 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> | ||
==Alfred and Edward's invasion== | ==Alfred and Edward's invasion== | ||
| − | [[Image:Sm 42, Tuna.JPG|130px|right|thumb|The [[Viking Runestones#Sm 42|runestone Sm 42]], in [[Småland]], [[Sweden]], mentions Harold Harefoot.<ref>[[Omeljan Pritsak|Pritsak, Omeljan]]. (1981). ''The origin of Rus<nowiki>'</nowiki>''. Cambridge, Mass.: Distributed by Harvard University Press for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. ISBN 0-674-64465-4 p. 343</ref>]]In 1036, [[Alfred Atheling]], Emma's son by the long dead [[Ethelred the Unready|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 favour of Harold" | + | [[Image:Sm 42, Tuna.JPG|130px|right|thumb|The [[Viking Runestones#Sm 42|runestone Sm 42]], in [[Småland]], [[Sweden]], mentions Harold Harefoot.<ref>[[Omeljan Pritsak|Pritsak, Omeljan]]. (1981). ''The origin of Rus<nowiki>'</nowiki>''. Cambridge, Mass.: Distributed by Harvard University Press for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. ISBN 0-674-64465-4 p. 343</ref>]]In 1036, [[Alfred Atheling]], Emma's son by the long dead [[Ethelred the Unready|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 favour of Harold," Alfred was captured on the direction of Godwin, now apparently on Harold's side at this point, and the men loyal to Harefoot blinded him. He subsequently died soon after due to the severity of the wounds, his bodyguard similarly treated.<ref name="Stenton"/> |
==Offspring== | ==Offspring== | ||
Harold apparently had a son, Elfwine, who became a [[monk]] on the continent when he was older.<ref name="Bolton"/> 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. <ref>''ASC'' manuscript E, 1039 (1040); for the calculation, see Swanton's translation, page 161, note 18.</ref> | Harold apparently had a son, Elfwine, who became a [[monk]] on the continent when he was older.<ref name="Bolton"/> 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. <ref>''ASC'' manuscript E, 1039 (1040); for the calculation, see Swanton's translation, page 161, note 18.</ref> | ||
| − | == | + | ==Notes== |
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12271 Harold Harefoot At Find A Grave] | *[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12271 Harold Harefoot At Find A Grave] | ||
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before=[[Canute the Great]]| | before=[[Canute the Great]]| | ||
title=[[List of English monarchs|King of England]]| | title=[[List of English monarchs|King of England]]| | ||
| − | years= | + | years=1035–1040| |
after=[[Harthacanute]] | after=[[Harthacanute]] | ||
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Revision as of 18:30, 16 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 cognomen "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. He was, however, unable to travel to his coronation, because his Danish kingdom was under threat of invasion by King Magnus I of Norway and King Anund Jacob of Sweden. England's magnatesCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content 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, 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. 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[2]. His body was subsequently exhumed, beheaded, and thrown into a fen bordering the Thames when Harthacanute assumed the throne in June, 1040.[3] His supporters later rescued the body, to be buried in a church which was fittingly named St Clement Danes.
Assumes the throne
In 1037, Emma of Normandy too refuge in Bruges, in Flanders, and Harold was de facto king. Harold himself is somewhat obscure; the historian Frank Stenton considered it probable that his mother Aelgifu was "the real ruler of England" for part or all of his reign.[4]
With the north at least on Harold's side, in adherence to the terms of a deal, which Godwin was part of, Emma was settled in Winchester, with Harthacanute's huscarls. Harold soon "sent and had taken from her all the best treasures" of Canute the Great,[4] and the Kingdom of England was practically his.
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.[2]
Alfred and Edward's invasion
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 favour of Harold," Alfred was captured on the direction of Godwin, now apparently on Harold's side at this point, and the men loyal to Harefoot blinded him. He subsequently died soon after due to the severity of the wounds, his bodyguard similarly treated.[4]
Offspring
Harold apparently had a son, Elfwine, who became a monk on the continent when he was older.[2] 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. [6]
Notes
- ↑ For an explanation of this etymology, see Albert Le Roy Bartlett, The Essentials of Language and Grammar, Silver, Burdett and Co., 1900, p. 28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Tim Bolton, "Reign of King Harold Harefoot", The Literary Encyclopedia, May 5, 2006.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Stenton, page 421. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Stenton" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Pritsak, Omeljan. (1981). The origin of Rus'. Cambridge, Mass.: Distributed by Harvard University Press for the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. ISBN 0-674-64465-4 p. 343
- ↑ ASC manuscript E, 1039 (1040); for the calculation, see Swanton's translation, page 161, note 18.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
| Preceded by: Canute the Great |
King of England 1035–1040 |
Succeeded by: Harthacanute |
.svg){kind=small}
Pre-conquest
Alfred the Great • Edward the Elder • Athelstan the Glorious • Edmund the Magnificent • Edred • Edwy the Fair • Edgar the Peacable • Edward the Martyr • Ethelred the Unready • Sweyn Forkbeard*† • Edmund Ironside • Canute the Great*† • Harold Harefoot • Harthacanute (Canute the Hardy)* • Edward the Confessor • Harold Godwinson • Edgar the Outlaw
Post-conquest
William I the Conqueror • William II Rufus • Henry I Beauclerc • Stephen • Matilda • Henry II • Richard I the Lionheart • John Lackland • Henry III • Edward I Longshanks • Edward II • Edward III • Richard II • Henry IV Bolingbroke • Henry V • Henry VI • Edward IV • Edward V • Richard III • Henry VII • Henry VIII‡ • Edward VI‡ • Lady Jane Grey‡ • Mary I‡ • Elizabeth I‡ • James I‡§ • Charles I‡§ • Interregnum • Charles II‡§ • James II‡§ • William III‡§¶ & Mary II‡§ • William III‡§¶ • Anne‡§
* also Monarch of Denmark • † also Monarch of Norway • ‡ also Monarch of Ireland • § also Monarch of Scotland • ¶ also Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel and Drenthe
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