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The Heimskringla on Harald Godwinson

Heimskringla > part in the government with his brother Hardaknut. In the same autumn > 77. Of The Kings Of England.

attestation: Harald Godwinson was raised at Edward's court as the king's foster-son, loved as his own child since Edward had no children.

"he was brought up at King Edward's court, and was his foster-son. The king loved him very much, and kept him as his own son; for he had no children."

attestation: Harald Godwinson sailed to Bretland but was driven by contrary winds to Normandy, landing at Rouen where Earl William received him gladly.

"Harald, the son of Godwin, made an expedition to Bretland with his ships, but when they got to sea they met a contrary wind, and were driven off into the ocean. They landed west in Normandy, after suffering from a dangerous storm."
attestation: Harald stayed as William's guest through autumn and winter, sitting in the place of honor on one side of the earl.

"Harald remained there late in harvest, and was hospitably entertained"
attestation: Harald spent long evenings in conversation with Earl William's wife, one of the most beautiful women, which made the earl angry.

"Harald and the earl's wife sat long in the evenings talking together, and so it went on for a great part of the winter. In one of their conversations she said to Harald, "The earl has asked me what it is we have to talk about so much, for he is angry at it.""
attestation: Harald proposed marriage to William's daughter, revealing that the wife had been supporting his suit. William agreed to the betrothal but deferred the wedding because the daughter was very young.

"I would ask your daughter in marriage, and have often spoke over this matter with her mother, and she has promised to support my suit with you."

attestation: Harald Godwinson sailed back to England in spring and never returned to Normandy to fulfill his marriage agreement with William's daughter.

"Harald sailed over to England to King Edward, but did not return to Valland to fulfill the marriage agreement."

attestation: As King Edward lay dying, Harald leaned over him and then claimed the king had given him the kingdom, calling witnesses.

"Harald first leans down over the king, and then said, "I take you all to witness that the king has now given me the kingdom, and all the realm of England""
attestation: Harald was chosen king at a meeting of chiefs based on his witnesses, and was consecrated and crowned on the 13th day of Yule in Paul's church.

"The meeting ended by choosing Harald as king, and he was consecrated and crowned the 13th day of Yule, in Paul's church."
attestation: King Harald Godwinson refused to yield, claiming legitimacy through being seated on the throne, anointed, consecrated, and possessing the royal treasure.

"King Harald says he will not give up his kingly dignity, for he is seated on the throne which kings sat upon, and is anointed and consecrated a king. On his side also was the strength of the people, for he had the king's whole treasure."

attestation: King Harald Godwinson stripped Toste of his army command and all power beyond that of other earls, distrusting his clever, warrior brother's ambition.

"He therefore took the command of the army from Toste, and also all the power he had beyond that of the other earls of the country."

attestation: That same Sunday evening, Harald Godwinson arrived at York from the south with a large army, entered the city with the people's consent, and sealed all gates to prevent intelligence reaching the Northmen.

"The same evening, after sunset, King Harald Godwinson came from the south to the castle with a numerous army, and rode into the city with the good-will and consent of the people of the castle. All the gates and walls were beset so that the Northmen could receive no intelligence"

attestation: King Harald Godwinson arrived with an immense army of both cavalry and infantry to face the Norwegian force.

"King Harald Godwinson had come with an immense army, both of cavalry and infantry."
attestation: Harald Godwinson observed the Norwegian king's fall and remarked on his great stature and stately appearance, but judged 'his luck has left him.'

"The English king said, "A great man, and of stately appearance is he; but I think his luck has left him.""

attestation: Harald Godwinson offered Toste the whole of Northumberland, or even a third of the kingdom, if he would submit rather than fight.

"Thy brother, King Harald, sends thee salutation, with the message that thou shalt have the whole of Northumberland; and rather than thou shouldst not submit to him, he will give thee the third part of his kingdom to rule over along with himself."
attestation: Toste asked what would be offered to King Harald Sigurdson. The reply: 'seven feet of English ground, or as much more as he may be taller than other men.'

"He has also spoken of this; and will give him seven feet of English ground, or as much more as he may be taller than other men."

attestation: Harald Godwinson offered Earl Toste peace and quarter for the surviving Northmen, but they unanimously refused, preferring to fall one across another.

"Harald Godwinson offered his brother, Earl Toste, peace, and also quarter to the Northmen who were still alive; but the Northmen called out, all of them together, that they would rather fall, one across the other, than accept of quarter from the Englishmen."

attestation: After Stamford Bridge, Harald Godwinson permitted Olaf Haraldsson (son of Harald Sigurdson) and the surviving Norsemen to depart England.

"King Harald Godwinson gave King Harald Sigurdson's son Olaf leave to go away, with the men who had followed him and had not fallen in battle"
attestation: Harald Godwinson marched south to confront William the Bastard, who was invading southern England with a vast army.

"he himself turned round with his army to go south, for he had heard that William the Bastard was overwhelming the south of England with a vast army, and was subduing the country for himself"
attestation: Harald Godwinson's brothers Svein and Gyrd accompanied him southward to meet William.

"With King Harald went his brothers Svein and Gyrd, and Earl Valthiof"
attestation: Harald Godwinson and William met at Hastings, where Harald and his brother Gyrd were killed along with many of their men.

"King Harald and Earl William met each other south in England at Helsingja-port (Hastings). There was a great battle in which King Harald and his brother Earl Gyrd and a great part of his men fell"