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Harold Godwinson

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The Resume

    (circa 1022-October 14, 1066)
    Born in Wessex, England, United Kingdom
    Earl of Wessex (1053-66)
    Last Anglo-Saxon King of England (January 5-October 14, 1066)
    Died in the Battle of Hastings against William the Conqueror

Why he might be annoying:

    He allegedly swore an oath to uphold William's claim to the English throne, then broke it after the death of Edward the Confessor.
    He spent most of his short reign fending off challenges to his rule.
    He supported a tax revolt against his brother, Tostig, driving Tostig into an alliance with King Harald Harada of Norway.
    He ignored advice from his brother Gyrth to delay attacking William's army so his forces could recover from repeated forced marches and reinforcements could be assembled.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The stories about him swearing an oath to William come from Normans justifying their invasion of England, so they aren't exactly unbiased.
    One Norman chronicler wrote that he was 'very tall and handsome, remarkable for his physical strength, his courage and eloquence, his ready jests and acts of valour.'
    When Harald Haralda launched an invasion to claim the English throne, Harold led a forced march from London to Yorkshire, surprising the Norwegian army and defeating them in the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 25, 1066).
    William took advantage of Harold being otherwise occupied to land a Norman army in southern England (September 28, 1066).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 100 Votes: 65.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 131 Votes: 58.78% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 88 Votes: 51.14% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 74 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 77 Votes: 55.84% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 27 Votes: 51.85% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 74 Votes: 56.76% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 19 Votes: 73.68% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 22 Votes: 22.73% Annoying