Godwin d.1053
Anglo-Saxon nobleman and warrior

The father of King Harold II, he was probably the son of the South Saxon Wulfnoth, but later stories indicate that his father was a peasant. He was made Earl of Wessex by King Knut (Canute) (1018), and in 1042 helped raise Edward the Confessor, to the throne, marrying him to his daughter Edith (1045). He was ambitious for his five sons, all of whom received earldoms (1043-57) and collectively their wealth almost equalled that of the royal family. His struggle against the king's Norman favourites caused Edward to confine Edith to a monastery, and banish Godwin (1051). However, in 1052 Godwin won the support of Edward's forces and subjects, so that Edward was forced to reinstate him. His son Harold was for a few months Edward's successor.