The House of Godwin

• England was split up into several large earldoms each led by an earl


  • Earls would enforce the law as set out by the king in each of their earldoms, helping the king govern the whole country at a time when communication was slow and difficult
• Godwins


  The most powerful noble family at the end of the Anglo-Saxon period, led by Earl Godwin of Wessex
• The Godwins helped the king of England, King Knute, and later Edward the Confessor rule England


  Earl Godwin of Wessex led the Godwin family
• Important children of Earl Godwin

  • Harold Godwinson
  • Tostig Godwinson
  • Edith
  • Gif
  • Leofwine
  • Wulfnoth
• Harold Godwinson


  Became Earl of Wessex and Sussex in 1050, led military campaigns, claimed the throne in 1066, married Edith of Mercia, and later became King of England
• Tostig Godwinson


  Became Earl of Northumbria in 1055, was ousted by Harold on behalf of King Edward in 1065, sided with Harald Hardrada in the invasion of 1066, and died during that time
• Edith


  Became Queen of England by marrying Edward the Confessor, showing the influence of the Godwins in England
• Noble daughter's duty


  One of the most important duties was to marry well to have influence
• Marriage was one of the most important ways for a woman to have influence at that time
• Edward the Confessor and Edith never had any children together
• Edith became queen of England by marrying Edward the Confessor


  Shows the influence of the Godwins in England
• Edith and Edward the Confessor never had any children together
• Uncertainty about whether the marriage between Edith and Edward the Confessor was ever consummated
• Girth and Laithwine Geiff were earls of East Anglia and Kent respectively
• Girth and Laithwine Geiff, along with their brother Harold, were killed in the Battle of Hastings in 1066
• Wolfenoff became a hostage to the Normans in 1051
• Harold went on a diplomatic mission to the Normans in 1064, possibly to rescue Wolfenoff
• The House of Godwin was powerful because they were advisers to the king, giving them power and influence over laws and taxes
• The Godwins helped Edward the Confessor become king of England, leading to rewards of wealth, power, and influence
• Harold Godwin was a great military leader, making him popular and a powerful ally of the king
• The Godwins had huge wealth due to their ability to keep some taxes for themselves and their land ownership
• Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin, married Edward the Confessor, strengthening the Godwins' royal connections
• Harold led the king's army, gaining vital experience in defending the country
• Earl Godwin was Earl of Wessex and the most powerful earl in England
• The Godwinsons, sons of Earl Godwin, became earls too, dominating English politics
• Edith had tremendous influence due to her marriage to Edward the Confessor
• The lack of an heir from Edith and Edward the Confessor led to a succession crisis, resulting in Harold Godwinson becoming the king of England
• The Godwins were immensely powerful and wealthy