The House of Godwin: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Saxon Dynasty

The Godwin family dominated English politics for almost half a century, establishing themselves as the most influential and powerful dynasty in Anglo-Saxon England. Earl Godwin became Cnuts most senior advisor and continued to be influential during the reign of Edward the Confessor. After Godwins death, four of his sons held earldoms, and Harold became the senior earl and eventually king of England. This book explores key events such as Godwins emergence, the succession dispute, the rise of his eldest children, the familys exile and return, the quarrel between Harold and Tostig, and the Norse and Norman invasions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Godwin and his family held a dominant position in English politics for nearly half a century, solidifying their status as the most influential and powerful dynasty in Anglo-Saxon England. During their peak, the dynasty experienced a swift downfall. Earl Godwin assumed the role of ****'s most senior advisor and continued to rise in influence during the reign of Edward the Confessor. He witnessed his daughter Edith ascend to the throne and his two eldest sons, Swegn and Harold, receive earldoms. Following Godwin's demise, four of his sons held earldoms, with Harold eventually emerging as Edward the Confessor's senior earl and ultimately ascending to the throne of England.

This book delves into the significant events of this period, encompassing Godwin's rise to prominence, the succession dispute following ****'s death, the ascendancy of his eldest children, the family's exile and dramatic return, the conflict between Harold and Tostig, and the Norse and Norman invasions. Dedicated chapters are devoted to Godwin's involvement in the Anglo-Danish succession, the family's exile, Harold's journey to Normandy, William of Normandy's claims to the English throne, re-evaluations of the accepted Norman landing site and traditional site of the Battle of Hastings, and the fate of the remaining Godwinsons post-1066.

Weight: 638g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445694061