Godwin

Godwin was the earl of Wessex under Canute the Great who led the support for the accession, after the reigns of Harald Harefoot and Hardicanute, of Edward the Confessor. Much of his infleucne came from the fact that his wives had successively been Canute's half-sister and, after her death, Gytha, Canute's cousin. He fancied his chances of becoming foremost among the English, and married his daughter by Gytha, Edith, to Edward. The fact that the marriage was never consummated thwarted his plan to have a grandson on the throne, and Edward's increasing application of "foreign" (Norman/French governmental systems (and Norman post-holders to carry them out) rankled with the resolutely English Godwin.

In 1051 he rebelled, and was banished by the king. A year later he returned, and the other nobles compelled Edward to recognise him and remit the exile. Feeling himself scure, Godwin pressed his case, and had his son Harold raised to the position of chief minister. He was aware that, during his exile, William, duke of Normandy had visited Edward. He was not, however, aware that the duke and the king had agreed that, on Edward's death, William should take the English throne, for the good of the nation.

Harold and his father pressed their advantage and effectively sought to strip Edward of all but ceremonial power. Godwin's death, in 1053, left his son to take over his title and lands unchallenged, his brother Swein having died the previous year.