HAROLD HAREFOOT ap KNUTSSON-(CANUTE)
King of England
| BIRTH: Abt 1015 - (possibly in Northamptonshire, England) DEATH: 17 Mar 1040 in Oxfordshire, England BURIAL: St. Clement Danes, London, England FATHER: Knut (Canute) I SVENDSSON - 989 in Normandy, France MOTHER: Aelfgiva - Abt 996 in Northamptonshire, England MARRIAGE: Elgiva CHILDREN: 1. Elfwyn ap HAROLDSSON-HAREFOOT
NOTE: Illegitimate son of Canut and Aelfgiva of Northampton. REIGNED: King of England from 1037 to 1040. As the son of Canute and his queen Emma of Normandy, Harold's younger half-brother Harthacanute was legitimate heir to the thrones of both Denmark and England at Canute's death (1035), but Harold took effective power in England and secured recognition by Harthacanute (1036) as regent during the latter's absence in Denmark. In opposition to his brother, Harold proclaimed himself King of England in 1037. His period of rule is associated with the blinding and death of Alfred the Aethling, Emma's son by Ethelred, following Alfred's return to the kingdom (possibly in an attempt to take the throne) with his brother Edward. Harold never married, but he had an illegitimate son, Elfwine, who became a monk on the continent. Harold died at Oxford in 1040, just as Harthacanute was preparing an invasion. He was buried at Westminster, but Harthacanute later exhumed the body and had it thrown into a fen. |
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