How powerful was the House of Godwin Starter

How powerful was the House of Godwin? Starter: Complete the ‘What do you do’ sheet below. Use your knowledge the Anglo-Saxon legal system to help you!

Who were the Godwins? When Cnut became king in 1018, he made his favourite advisers earls. One of these men was Godwin, who became Earl of Wessex. Godwin was a son of an Anglo-Saxon thegn, but through clever political manoeuvring managed to become a very important advisor to King Cnut. When he helped Edward become king in 1042, Godwin allowed his daughter to marry the king which increased his power and influence in the kingdom. By 1045, Godwin was the most powerful man in the kingdom. He was running Edward’s kingdom for him Godwin had several sons including Sweyn, Harold, Tostig, Gyrth and Leofwine – all of which held power in England. When Godwin died in 1053 he was succeeded by his son Harold.

Harold the warrior, leader and politician Harold showed himself as an excellent warrior and military leader during campaigns in Wales in 1056. It allowed him to show himself as a politician as well as a soldier Instead of fighting, he negotiated a treaty that gave the Welsh some land in return for them pulling out of Herefordshire. The Welsh continued to raid and attack the border, so in December 1062 Harold decided to attack. He put together a special unit of elite soldiers and tasked his brother Tostig with leading them by foot into Wales. At the same time, Harold would sail with a fleet to attack the coast. The Welsh king was executed and puppet ruler was imposed.

Harold’s Embassy to Normandy Just how powerful Harold had become by the 1060 s can be seen when King Edward sent him on embassy to Normandy in 1064. The reasons why Harold was sent on this visit is highly debated and there are two stories. The Normans claim that Harold was sent to negotiate William, Duke of Normandy inheriting the throne of England. The Saxons claim that Harold was sent to negotiate the release of two of his family that Duke William was holding hostage. Harold’s actions in Normandy would be used by William to launch an invasion in 1066.

Harold sails to Normandy, and is captured by Guy, Count of Penthieu. William, Duke of Normandy hears of this, and demands Harold is delivered to him.

Harold fights for William during the Battle of Dinan, even helping save two Norman soldiers from quicksand. In honour, William presents Harold with weapons and armour.

On Holy relics and in front of the Norman court, Harold swears to support William’s claim to the throne of England.

Learning Tasks All On your blank map, shade in the areas that the Godwin’s either controlled or influenced. Beside each area, describe what their influence was. Target 7 -5 ‘By 1050, the Godwins had a strong and stable control of England’ – is this an accurate view? Explain by looking at both sides of the argument. Target 4 - 3 Give examples of how the Godwins were: economically, politically and militarily powerful. Top tip: you may want to look at Figure 1. 5 on p. 21, as well consider the embassy and the invasion of Wales!

Earl Tostig was Earl of Northumbria, giving them a massive power base in the North. In the 1050 s, the Earl of Mercia was exiled and replaced with those loyal to the Godwin's. In 1062, Tostig and Harold launched an attack on the Welsh king. They replaced him with a king that they could control. East Anglia was ruled by Gyrth, Harold’s teenage brother. Harold ruled Wessex; he was England’s defence against attacks from Europe so he was very important. He eventually became “Sub-regulus” – the King’s deputy and was in charge of the army.

‘By 1050, the Godwins had a strong and stable control of England’ – is this an accurate view? Explain by looking at both sides of the argument. On the one hand… • They had extensive landholdings which made them very rich, more so than the king. • The Godwin’s were lords to many thegns making them very powerful warleaders. • Due to Harold being sub-regulus, he appointed bishops in the Church who were loyal to the Godwins so they could control the church. • Through political marriages, they had massive power e. g. Edith Godwinson was wife to King Edward. Harold himself was married to Edith of Mercia which increased his power. • Harold controlled Wessex and Hereford which were England’s defence against attacks so he was very important. • Harold had successfully subdued the Welsh – proving himself as an excellent politician and warrior. • Harold had travelled to Normandy as leader of the embassy which shows how much control he had of England. Give examples of how the Godwins were: economically, politically and militarily powerful. Militarily • Ruled over many thegns so would have had huge control of the fyrd (many of the men would have come from Godwin lands) • Invasion of Wales showed military genius of Harold. Economically • Very rich due to massive land holdings • Due to so much land being controlled, they would have had extensive knowledge of the tax system. Politically However… • • • Some argue that Edward had promised the throne to William, Duke of Normandy rather than Godwin. • • Edward showed signs of trying to shake off their control – in 1042 he was appointing many Normans to powerful positions. • In 1051 Edward exiled Godwin and his family from England which shows there was a lot of tension between the House of Godwin and the monarchy. • Harold had sworn on holy relics to support William’s claim to the throne. Some of the family were on Witan e. g. Gyrth Harold was sub-regulus, so effectively controlled the kingdom Controlled the church as many of the bishops had been appointed by Harold.