25. The Man Who Restored a Saxon Dynasty After Decades of Scandinavian Rule
The passing of Harthacnut in 1042 triggered yet another succession crisis. This one was between King Magnus the Good of Norway, and Edward the Confessor, Alfred’s brother and the last surviving son of Aethelred the Unready. Godwin played kingmaker once more, and secured the throne for Edward. That restored to England the royal Dynasty of Wessex and Saxon rule, after decades of Danish domination. Godwin became the most powerful nobleman in the court of Edward the Confessor. However, kingmaker and king fell out in 1051, over Edward’s increasing reliance on Norman advisors – the king had grown up in Normandy.
Godwin was stripped of his earldom and banished, but he returned with an army, raised a rebellion, and set Edward the Confessor right. The king was forced to restore Godwin’s earldom, and the kingmaker became the most powerful man in the kingdom, until his sudden demise in 1053. His son Harold Godwinson succeeded him as England’s most powerful figure, and was crowned king after Edward’s end in 1066. He reigned until his defeat by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings later that year.
