King Harold I Harefoot

Denmark

15 May

King Harold I Harefoot was the eldest son of Cnut the Great and Aelfgifu of Northampton. He inherited the throne while his brother, the preferred heir Harthacnut, was away in Denmark. During his reign, Harold struggled for power, clashing with the church. He died while his brother was preparing to invade England, to take back his rightful throne.

Born	January 1016
Parents	Cnut the Great & Aelfgifu of Northampton
Married	Aelfgifu (possibly)
Children	None
Died	17 March 1040, London, buried at Westminster Abbey, reburied at St Clement Danes, London (24)
Reign	1035 - 1040 (4)
Crowned	No, proclaimed king in 1037, Oxford (21)
Predecessor	Cnut the Great (father)
Successor	Harthacnut (half-brother)
House	Denmark

Life Events of King Harold I Harefoot

1016

Harold is born in January to Cnut the Great & Aelfgifu of Northampton.

1030

Harold’s brother Sweyn is sent to Norway, and installed as king. Sweyn and his mother are later driven out of Norway, in the winter of 1034, and flee to Denmark where Sweyn dies.

1035

On the 12 November, the nobility of Mercia and Northumbria, who consist mainly of Danes, choose Harold Harefoot as king. Meanwhile in Winchester, Queen Emma rallies support for her son Harthacnut, who is still in Scandinavia. Earl Godwin of Wessex shows his support for the cause. Aethelnoth, Archbishop of Canterbury, rejects Harold’s claim, limiting the king’s absolute power.

1036

Queen Emma‘s younger son by Aethelred, Alfred, arrives in Kent to visit his mother. But he is taken by surprise by Godwin at Guildford, and handed over to Harold. Harold brutally blinds Alfred, and sends him to die at Ely, removing a potential heir. Godwin’s treacherous act protects his future as Earl.

1037

Harold is accepted as king by Wessex and Godwin, as Harthacnut’s fleet fails to invade.

1040

On the 17 March, Harold dies at Oxford, before Harthacnut is able to invade with his newly-ready fleet. Harold is buried at Westminster. When Harthacnut arrives, he claims the throne unopposed. He then exhumes Harold's body, beheads it and has it “cast into a marsh”. Later on, the body is secretly retrieved and buried properly in St Clement Danes, London.

Interesting Facts About King Harold I Harefoot

Epithet
Harold’s epithet, Harefoot, refers to his running ability
Death
Harold’s death is uncertain, although most sources suggest he died of an illness or natural causes. An Anglo-Saxon charter reports that some monks came to visit him in Oxford, to settle a dispute. However, they claim he “lay and grew black as they spoke”, while discussing the dispute.

FAQs About the King

What happened to Harold Harefoot?
Harold I Harefoot had a short reign, and died in Oxford after an illness. It is likely this was from natural causes, or some hereditary disease.
Was Harold Harefoot a good king?
Harold I Harefoot usurped the throne from the preferred heir, his half-brother, Harthacnut, and was rejected by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In his short reign, these points suggest he was not a good king.
Who was Harold I of England?
Harold I of England was Harold Harefoot, son of Cnut the Great. Harold II was the Anglo-Saxon, Harold Godwinson.