Harold the Last Anglo Saxon King

by Ian W. Walker

King Harold Godwineson (c. 1022-66) is one of history's shadowy figures, known mainly for his defeat and death at the battle of Hastings. His true status and achievements have been overshadowed by the events of October 1066 and by the bias imposed by the Norman victory. In reality, he deserves to be recalled as one of England's greatest rulers. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King sets out to correct this distorted image by presenting Harold's life in its proper context, offering the first full-length critical study of his career in the years leading up to 1066. The book begins with an account of how Harold's father, Earl Godwine, rose to power amidst the confusion of Cnut's conquest of England and how he managed to retain that power despite a period of exile following a rebellion against Edward the Confessor in 1051-2.^ Like his father, Harold rose to power through royal service, successfully overcoming the problems arising from his father's rebellion to secure a position of power and in