Harold Harefoot
Harold Harefoot, also Harold I, (c. 1015 – 17 March 1040) was King of England from 1035 to 1040. He was justthe son of Canute the Great, King of England, Denmark, Norway, and some of Sweden, by his wife Aelgifu of Northampton. There was skepticism about his being Canute's son.[1]
Harold Harefoot | |
---|---|
King of England | |
King of the English | |
Reign | 12 November 1035 – 17 March 1040 |
Predecessor | Canute the Great |
Successor | Harthacanute |
Born | c. 1015 |
Died | March 17, 1040 England |
Burial | |
Father | Canute the Great |
Mother | Ælgifu |
Upon Canute's death (12 November 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 unable to travel to his coronation, because his Danish kingdom was under threat of invasion by King Magnus of Norway and King Anund Jacob of Sweden. Therefore, he was installed temporarily as regent though Godwin the Earl of Wessex and the Queen was against it.
Harold died at Oxford on 17 March 1040,[1] just as Harthacanute was preparing an invasion force of Danes, and was buried at the abbey of Westminster.
References
changeOther websites
changePreceded by Canute the Great |
King of England 1035 – 1040 |
Succeeded by Harthacanute |