Michael Matthew Groat PhD's Genealogical Database

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Edith Swanneck


Preferred Parents:
Mother: Wulfgyth East Anglia, b. 1008 in East Anglia, Norfolk, England   d. 1080

Family 1: Harold Godwinson of England II,    b. ABT 1022 in Wessex, England    d. 14 OCT 1066 in Senlac Hill, Battle, Sussex, England
  1. Ulf Haroldson of Wessex, b. BET 1047 AND 1053 in Wessex     d. AFT 1087
  2. Godwine Haroldson, b. 1047 in Wessex     d. 1076 in Kent, England
  3. Gytha of Wessex Haraldsdottir Grand Princess consort of Kievan Rus, b. ABT 1053 in Wessex, Anglo Saxon England     d. 5 FEB 1107 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Sources:
  1. Title: FAMILY of KING HAROLD II - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#HaroldIIdied1066B;
    Note: Chapter 10. FAMILY of KING HAROLD II HAROLD, son of GODWIN Earl of Wessex & his wife Gytha of Denmark ([1022/25]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066, bur [Waltham Abbey]). His parentage is confirmed in several places in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. He was created Earl of the East Angles, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire in 1044 by King Edward "the Confessor". King Edward granted him part of the earldom of his brother Svein, after the latter was outlawed following his seduction of the Abbess of Leominster. After joining his father's threatened armed rebellion against the king in 1051, he fled to Ireland with his brother Leofwine. He returned from Ireland the following year and joined forces with his father. Harold was appointed to succeed his father as Earl of Wessex in 1053, his own earldom of the East Angles passing to Ælfgar son of Leofric Earl of Mercia. He led the counter-offensive against Gruffydd ap Llywellyn Prince of Wales in 1063, in reprisal for Welsh raids. On a mission to France in [1064], he was captured by Guy [de Ponthieu] Comte d'Abbeville and imprisoned at Beaurain. Guillaume II Duke of Normandy, Guy's suzerain, secured Harold's release, possibly in return for the latter's acknowledgement of Duke Guillaume as successor to the English throne, the event being recorded in the Bayeux tapestry. Guillaume of Jumièges records that “Edwardus Anglorum rex” had already sent “Rodbertum Cantuariorum archipræsulem” to Normandy to recognise Duke Guillaume as his heir, and that the king sent “Heraldum” as his representative to finalise the affair, that Harold landed at Ponthieu and was captured by “Widonis Abbatisvillæ comitis”, from whom Duke Guillaume rescued him and brought him back to Normandy where he swore allegiance to the duke, who retained “adolescentem Vulnotem fratrem eius” as hostage. According to Eadmer, the reason for Harold's visit to Normandy was to negotiate the release of his brother Wulfnoth and nephew Haakon, both of whom had been held hostage there since 1051. In spite of earlier promises to Duke Guillaume, on his deathbed King Edward "the Confessor" bequeathed the kingdom to Harold. The choice was unopposed at court and Harold succeeded as HAROLD II King of England, crowned 6 Jan 1066. It is unclear whether there was a meeting, formal or informal, of a council to consider the matter, or whether members of such council took part in some form of election as it might be recognised today. There would probably have been little need for formality as the succession was presumably a foregone conclusion. Duke Guillaume branded Harold a perjurer and appealed to Pope Alexander II for support. After receiving a papal banner in response to this request, the duke gathered a sizable army during Summer 1066 ready for invasion. In response to the invasion by his brother Tostig and Harald III "Hardråde" King of Norway (who also claimed the throne of England), King Harold marched northwards and defeated the invaders at Stamford Bridge 25 Sep 1066. Harold returned south, but meanwhile Duke William's army had set sail from Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme 28 Sep. King Harold hastily reassembled his army to meet this second invasion at Hastings 14 Oct 1066, where he was killed. The Chronique de Normandie, based on le Roman de Rou, records that King Harold II was killed at Hastings by "un chevalier…Robert fils Herveis". According to the Waltham Chronicle written some time after 1177, King Harold's body was identified on the battlefield by his mistress Eadgyth Swanneshals and taken to Waltham for burial. William of Malmesbury also says that King Harold was buried at Waltham, though by his mother. Betrothed ([1064]) to ADELISA de Normandie, daughter of GUILLAUME II Duke of Normandy & his wife Mathilde de Flandre ([1055]-7 Dec, 1066 or after). Guillaume of Jumièges records that Duke Guillaume betrothed “Heraldum” to “Adelizam filiam suam” after rescuing Harold from “Widonis Abbatisvillæ comitis” and bringing him back to Normandy. Orderic Vitalis records the betrothal of Adelaide and Harold, listing her after Agatha and before Constance in his description of the careers of the daughters of King William (although in another passage he names Agatha as the daughter who was betrothed to Harold). The sources are contradictory concerning the name of the daughter betrothed to Harold, as well as the timing of her death. The only near certainty is that it would presumably have been the oldest available daughter who was betrothed to Harold. Matthew of Paris does not name her but lists her fourth among the daughters of King William, while distinguishing her from the fifth daughter betrothed to "Aldefonso Galiciæ regi". Guillaume de Jumièges records that the (unamed, but named Adelisa in an earlier passage) daughter who was betrothed to Harold was the duke’s third daughter and that she died a virgin although she was of an age to marry. Orderic Vitalis says that Adelaide "a most fair maiden vowed herself to God when she reached marriageable age and made a pious end under the protection of Roger of Beaumont". The daughter betrothed to Harold was alive in early 1066, according to Eadmer of Canterbury who says that Duke Guillaume requested King Harold, soon after his accession, to keep his promise to marry his daughter. This is contradicted by William of Malmesbury, who says that her death before that of Edward "the Confessor" was taken by King Harold II as marking absolution from his oath to Duke Guillaume. She died as a nun at Préaux. The necrology of Chartres cathedral records the death "VII Id Dec" of "Adeliza filia regis Anglorum", stating that her father made a donation for her soul. The necrology of Saint-Nicaise de Meulan records the death of "Adelina filia regis Anglorum", undated but listed among deaths at the end of the calendar year. m ([1064/early 1066]) as her second husband, EALDGYTH of Mercia, widow of GRUFFYDD ap Llywellyn Prince of Gwynedd and Powys, daughter of ÆLFGAR Earl of Mercia & his first wife Ælfgifu. Florence of Worcester’s genealogies name "regina Aldgitha, comitis Ælfgari filia" as mother of King Harold’s son "Haroldum". Orderic Vitalis records that "Edwinus…et Morcarus comites, filii Algari…Edgivam sororem eorum" married firstly "Gritfridi…regis Guallorum" and secondly "Heraldo". In a later passage, the same source names her “Aldit”. Her parentage and marriage with King Harold are confirmed by Florence of Worcester who records that "earls Edwin and Morcar…sent off their sister Queen Elgitha to Chester" after the battle of Hastings. There is no source which pinpoints the date of Ealdgyth’s second marriage. Freeman suggests that the absence of any reference to his queen in the sources which record the circumstances of Harold’s accession and coronation may indicate that his marriage took place afterwards. If Harold's son Ulf was legitimate (see below), the marriage would have taken place in the earlier part of the date range which is shown above. Mistress (1): EADGYTH "Swanneshals [Swan-neck]", [daughter of --- & his wife Wulfgyth] (-after 1066). A mid-12th century manuscript concerning the foundation of Waltham abbey names "Editham cognomento Swanneshals" as "cubicularia" of King Harold when recording that she recovered the king’s body for burial after the battle of Hastings. The later Vita Haroldi records that "a certain woman of a shrewd intelligence, Edith by name" recovered the king’s body from the battlefield, chosen to do so "because she loved him exceedingly…[and] had been frequently present in the secret places of his chamber". The only source so far identified which refers to an earlier document which names Eadgyth is the history of the abbey of St Benet, Holme, written by John of Oxnead in 1292, which records donations to the abbey, confirmed by King Edward in 1046, including the donation by "Edgyue Swanneshals" of "Thurgertone" (Thurgarton, Norfolk). The fact of this donation is confirmed by the corresponding charter of King Edward, reproduced in Dugdale’s Monasticon, which refers to the donation of "ecclesiam de Thurgartun cum tota villa" but omits the name of the donor. Barlow suggests that Eadgyth may have been "Ealdgyth" who is named in the will of her mother "Wulfgyth", dated to [1042/53], who bequeathed land "at Stisted, Essex to her sons Ælfketel and Ketel…at Saxlingham, Norfolk and Somerton, Suffolk to her daughters Gode and Bote, at Chadacre, Suffolk and Ashford to her daughter Ealdgyth, and at Fritton to Earl Godwin and Earl Harold". The connection between Wulfgyth’s family and St Benet’s, Hulme is confirmed by the testament of "Ketel" (named in his mother’s will quoted above), dated to [1052/66], which includes bequests of land to the abbey. However, Ketel’s testament names his two sisters Gode and Bote, who are also named in their mother’s will, but does not name "Ealdgyth", suggesting that the latter may have predeceased her brother. None of the sources so far identified suggests, even indirectly, that Eadgyth "Swanneshals" was the mother of the seven illegitimate children of King Harold who are shown below, but this has been assumed to be the case in secondary sources. [Mistress (2): --- (-after 1086). Domesday Book records "quædam concubina Heraldi" as holding three houses in Canterbury. It is not known whether this unnamed person was the same as Eadgyth "Swanneshals".] King Harold II & his wife had one son: 1. HAROLD (posthumously Chester Dec 1066-after 1098). King Harold & had 7 illegitimate children by [Mistress (1)]: 2. GODWIN ([1045/55]-after 1069) 3. EDMUND ([1047/55]-after 1069) 4. MAGNUS ([1050/55]-after [1069]) 5. [GYTHA [Eadgyth] ([1050/55]-10 Mar [1098/99]) 6. [ULF (-after 1087) 7. child (stillborn or died young, bur Christ Church, Canterbury) 8. GUNHILD (-after 1093). See article for full information on the children...
  2. Title: HAROLD II King of England in record of EALDGYTH of Mercia - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy - F. FAMILY of LEOFWINE EALDORMAN of MERCIA, later EARLS of MERCIA
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20nobility.htm#EaldgythMerciaMHaroldII;
    Note: LEOFRIC, son of LEOFWINE Ealdorman [of the Hwicce] in Mercia & his wife --- (-Bromley 30 Oct 1057, bur Coventry). The Genealogia Fundatoris of Coventry Monastery names “Leofricum postea comitem, et Edwinum occisum per Walenses, et Normannum occisum cum Edrico duce Merciorum per Cnutonem regem” as sons of “Leofwinus comes Leicestriæ”. Simeon of Durham records that King Canute appointed "Leofric" as Ealdorman [Earl] of Mercia after his brother Northman was killed in 1017, although this was apparently during the lifetime of their father. He and his wife founded the abbey of Coventry in 1043. “Leofricus comes” founded the monastery of Coventry by undated charter. ”Leofricus comes…et conjux mea Godgyve” donated property to Evesham Monastery by undated charter which names “frater meus Normannus”. m GODGIFU, sister of THOROLD de Bukenhale, Sheriff of Lincolnshire, daughter of --- (-after [1054/57]). She is named as wife of Earl Leofric by Florence of Worcester, who specifies that she and her husband founded monasteries at Leominster, Wenlock, Chester and Stowe. She was the Lady Godiva of legend. Leofric & his wife had one child: 1. ÆLFGAR (-[1062]). The Genealogia Fundatoris of Coventry Monastery names “Algarus tertius” as son of “Leofricus tertius”. Florence of Worcester records that he was created Earl of the East Angles in 1053, in succession to Harold, son of Godwin, who had succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex. Florence of Worcester also records that Ælfgar was banished in 1055 by King Edward "without any just cause of offence". He went to Ireland, then to Wales where he allied himself with Gruffydd ap Llywellyn King of Gwynedd and Powys, and invaded England, sacking Hereford in Oct 1055. He was reinstated in 1056 when Gruffydd accepted Edward's overlordship. Florence of Worcester records that Ælfgar was appointed to succeed his father in 1057 as Earl of Mercia, the earldom of the East Angles passing to Gyrth, son of Godwin. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that in 1057 he was banished again, but Florence of Worcester states that he forced his restoration in 1058 with the help of Gruffydd and a Norwegian fleet. His death removed from the scene the only potential challenger to Harold Earl of Wessex. Orderic Vitalis records that “Elfgarus comes” had founded “Coventrense cœnobium” and that “Godiova...comitissa” donated “omnem thesaurum suum” to the church. m firstly ÆLFGIFU, daughter of MORCAR & his wife Ealdgyth ---. The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified. m secondly ([1058]) --- of Gwynedd, daughter of GRUFFYDD ap Llywellyn Prince of Gwynedd and Powys & his first wife ---. Earl Ælfgar & his first wife had three children: a) EDWIN (-killed 1071). Orderic Vitalis names “Eduinum, Morcarum et unam filiam...Aldit” as the children of “Elfgarus comes” and “Godiova...comitissa” [error, see above]. The Genealogia Fundatoris of Coventry Monastery names “Edwinum et Morcar postea comites” as sons of “Algarus tertius”. He succeeded his father in 1062 as Earl of Mercia. With support from his brother, he expelled Tostig, son of Godwin, from Lindsay in 1066. John of Worcester records that they at first supported the claim of Edgar Atheling to succeed Harold II as King of England after the battle of Hastings, but soon withdrew their armies and swore allegiance to King William I at Berkhamsted. Orderic Vitalis records that, after King Harold was killed, “Stigandus Cantuarensis archiepiscopus et præclari comites Eduinus et Morcarus aliique primates Anglorum” who were not present at “Senlacio bello” established “Edgarum Clitonem filium Eduardi regis Hunorum, filii Edmundi Irneside” as king, but renouncing Edgar (“Edgarum abrogantes”) they and Edgar made peace with Guillaume II Duke of Normandy. Orderic Vitalis records that “Edwinus et Morcarus filii Ælfgari comitis...Coxo comes...Siwardus et Aldredus filii Ædelgari pronepotes regis, Edricus...cognomento Guilda id est sylvaticus nepos Edrici pestiferi ducis cognomento Streone id est adquisitoris” made peace with William I King of England, dated to 1067. Florence of Worcester records that "…comites Edwinum et Morkarum…" went with King William to Normandy 21 Feb [1067]. Orderic Vitalis records that “Stigandum archipræsulem, Edgarum Adelinum Eduardi regis consobrinum et tres...comites: Eduinum, Morcarum et Guallevum, Egelnodum quoque Cantuariensem satrapam” accompanied King William to Normandy, dated to 1067 from the context. They rebelled against William in 1068, leaving court for Yorkshire, but were soon brought to submission: Orderic Vitalis records that “juvenes Eduinus et Morcarus filii Elfgari comitis” rebelled against King William in 1068, triggered because the king had promised “filiam suam” in marriage to Edwin but reneged on the promise, recording in a later passage their capitulation. Orderic Vitalis records that King William besieged “comitem Morcarum” in “Eliensi insula”, but captured him and imprisoned him for life under the guardianship of “Rogerii oppidani Belmontis”, whereupon “juvenis Eduinus comes” sought help for six months from “Scotis et Guallis vel Anglis” but was betrayed by three servants and killed, dated to 1071. Florence of Worcester records that "comites Edwinus et Morkarus" rebelled against King William in [1071], and that Edwin was killed. b) MORCAR (-after 1087). Orderic Vitalis names “Eduinum, Morcarum et unam filiam...Aldit” as the children of “Elfgarus comes” and “Godiova...comitissa” [error, see above]. The Genealogia Fundatoris of Coventry Monastery names “Edwinum et Morcar postea comites” as sons of “Algarus tertius”. Snorre names “Earl Morukare”, although stating that he was the son of “Earl Gudin Ulfnadson” and “Earl Ulf´s sister Gyda”. He was chosen by the Northumbrians as Earl of Northumbria in 1065 to replace Tostig, son of Godwin Earl of Wessex. With support from his brother, he expelled Tostig, son of Godwin, from Lindsay in 1066. John of Worcester records that they at first supported the claim of Edgar Atheling to succeed Harold II as King of England after the battle of Hastings, but soon withdrew their armies and swore allegiance to King William I at Berkhamsted. Orderic Vitalis records that, after King Harold was killed, “Stigandus Cantuarensis archiepiscopus et præclari comites Eduinus et Morcarus aliique primates Anglorum” who were not present at “Senlacio bello” established “Edgarum Clitonem filium Eduardi regis Hunorum, filii Edmundi Irneside” as king, but renouncing Edgar (“Edgarum abrogantes”) they and Edgar made peace with Guillaume II Duke of Normandy. Orderic Vitalis records that “Edwinus et Morcarus filii Ælfgari comitis...Coxo comes...Siwardus et Aldredus filii Ædelgari pronepotes regis, Edricus...cognomento Guilda id est sylvaticus nepos Edrici pestiferi ducis cognomento Streone id est adquisitoris” made peace with William I King of England, dated to 1067. Florence of Worcester records that "…comites Edwinum et Morkarum…" went with King William to Normandy 21 Feb [1067]. Orderic Vitalis records that “Stigandum archipræsulem, Edgarum Adelinum Eduardi regis consobrinum et tres...comites: Eduinum, Morcarum et Guallevum, Egelnodum quoque Cantuariensem satrapam” accompanied King William to Normandy, dated to 1067 from the context. They rebelled against William in 1068, leaving court for Yorkshire, but were soon brought to submission: Orderic Vitalis records that “juvenes Eduinus et Morcarus filii Elfgari comitis” rebelled against King William in 1068, triggered because the king had promised “filiam suam” in marriage to Edwin but reneged on the promise, recording in a later passage their capitulation. Orderic Vitalis records that King William besieged “comitem Morcarum” in “Eliensi insula”, but captured him and imprisoned him for life under the guardianship of “Rogerii oppidani Belmontis”, dated to 1071. Orderic Vitalis states that Morcar joined the resistance at Ely in 1071, but surrendered to the king. Florence of Worcester records that "comites Edwinus et Morkarus" rebelled against King William in [1071], and that "Morkarus…et Siwardus cognomento Barn" took refuge in Ely. Florence of Worcester records that "comites Morkarum et Rogerum, Siwardum cognomento Barn, et Wlnothum regis Haroldi germanum" were released by King William on his deathbed in 1087. He was taken to England by King William II but placed in confinement again in Winchester. c) EALDGYTH. Florence of Worcester´s genealogies name "regina Aldgitha, comitis Ælfgari filia" as mother of King Harold´s son "Haroldum". Orderic Vitalis records that "Edwinus…et Morcarus comites, filii Algari…Edgivam sororem eorum" married firstly "Gritfridi…regis Guallorum" and secondly "Heraldo". In a later passage, the same source names her “Aldit”. Her parentage and marriage to King Harold are confirmed by Florence of Worcester who records that "earls Edwin and Morcar…sent off their sister Queen Elgitha to Chester" after the battle of Hastings. There is no source which pinpoints the date of Ealdgyth´s second marriage. Freeman suggests that the absence of any reference to his queen in the sources which record the circumstances of Harold´s accession and coronation may indicate that his marriage took place afterwards. If Harold's son Ulf was legitimate, the marriage would have taken place in the earlier part of the date range which is shown above. m firstly as his second wife, GRUFFYDD ap Llywellyn Prince of Gwynedd and Powys, son of LLYWELLYN ap Seisyll King of Gwynedd & his wife Angharad of Gwynedd (-killed Snowdonia 5 Aug 1063). m secondly ([1064/early 1066]) HAROLD Earl of Wessex, son of GODWIN Earl of Wessex & his wife Gytha of Denmark ([1022/25]-killed in battle Hastings 14 Oct 1066, bur [Waltham Abbey]). He succeeded in 1066 as HAROLD II King of England.
  3. Title: Edith the Fair
    Publication: Name: https://www.1066.co.nz/Mosaic%20DVD/stamford%20bridge/Edith%20the%20Fair.htm;
    Note: Edith Swannesha (Old English: Ealdgȳð Swann hnesce, "Edith [the] Gentle Swan"; c. 1025 – c. 1086), also known as Edith Swanneschals or Edith the Fair,[note 1] was the first wife or mistress of King Harold II of England.[1] She is also commonly known as Edith Swanneck (or Swan-Neck) but this comes from a historical misinterpretation that her nickname represented Old English swann hnecca, "swan neck".[2] She is sometimes confused with Ældgyth, daughter of Ealdorman Ælfgar of Mercia, and Harold's Queen consort. Consort of King Harold She may be identical with Eadgifu the Fair, who was one of the wealthiest magnates in England on the eve of the Norman Conquest. Their children included Gunhild, who became the mistress of Alan Rufus, and Gytha, who was taken by her grandmother to Denmark in 1068.[1] Gytha was addressed as "princess" and married the Grand Duke of Kiev, Vladimir Monomakh.[3] Though King Harold II is said to have lawfully married Edith of Mercia, the widow of the Welsh ruler Gruffydd ap Llywelyn whom he had defeated in battle, that marriage in spring 1066 is seen by most modern scholars as one of political convenience.[4] Mercia and Wales were allied against England, and the marriage gave the English claim in two very troublesome regions, and also gave Harold Godwinesson a marriage deemed "legitimate" by the clergy, unlike his longtime common law marriage with Edith the Fair. Edith the Fair was remembered in history and folklore chiefly because it was she who identified Harold's body after the Battle of Hastings.[5] The body was horribly mutilated after the battle by the Norman army of William the Conqueror, and, despite pleas by Harold's mother for William to surrender Harold's body for burial, the Norman army refused, even though Harold's mother offered Harold's weight in gold. It was then that Edith the Fair walked through the carnage of the battle so that she might identify Harold by markings on his chest known only to her. It was because of Edith the Fair's identification of Harold's body that Harold was given a Christian burial by the monks at Waltham Abbey.[6] This legend is recounted in the well-known poem by Heinrich Heine, "The Battlefield of Hastings" (1855), which features Edith the Fair (as Edith Swan-Neck) as the main character and claims that the 'marks known only to her' were love bites. Historical fiction The relationship between Harold Godwinson and Edith Swanneschals is the subject of several novels Helen Hollick - Harold the King G. A. Henty - Wulf the Saxon (1894) Julian Rathbone - The Last English King (1997) Edward Bulwer-Lytton- Harold, the Last of the Saxons (1848) G K Holloway - 1066: What Fates Impose (2013) Carol McGrath - The Handfasted Wife (2013) Ealdgyth was portrayed by Janet Suzman in the two-part BBC TV play Conquest (1966), part of the series Theatre 625. The German poet Heinrich Heine wrote Schlachtfeld bei Hastings (published 1851, in Romanzero).[7] In this poem, Edith and two monks (Asgod and Ailrik) search the battlefield for the body of King Harold. Notes ^ Her first name is also spelled Ealdgyth, Aldgyth, Edeva or Eddeva, and sometimes appears as Ēadgȳð and Ēadgifu. (Compare Godgifu which was modified to Godiva in Latin texts.)
  4. Title: Eadgifu [Eddeua] the Fair [the Rich] - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
    Publication: Name: https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-52349;
    Note: Biography of Eadgifu the Fair also known as Eddeua the Rich, concubine/wife of Harold Godwinson fl. 1066
  5. Title: Find a Grave
    Publication: Name: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150390052/edith-the-fair;
  6. Title: Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
    Author: [2075] Stubbs, W. (ed.) (1861) The Foundation of Waltham Abbey, the Tract "De inventione Sanctæ Crucis nostræ in Monte Acuto et de ductione eiusdem apud Waltham" (Oxford), 21, p. 30. [2076] Birch, W. de G. (ed.) (1885) Vita Haroldi: the Romance of the life of Harold King of England (London), pp. 187-8. [2077] Ellis, Sir H. (ed.) (1859) Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes (London), Appendix, I, p. 292. [2078] Dugdale Monasticon III, Abbey of St Bennet of Hulme, Norfolk, III, p. 83. [2079] Barlow (2002), p. 56, and S 1535. [2080] S 1519. [2081] Freeman, E. A. (1875) The History of the Norman Conquest of England 2nd Edn. (Oxford), Vol. III, p. 791.
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_Toc389126266;
    Note: Mistress (1): EADGYTH "Swanneshals [Swan-neck]", [daughter of --- & his wife Wulfgyth] (-after 1066). A mid-12th century manuscript concerning the foundation of Waltham abbey names "Editham cognomento Swanneshals" as "cubicularia" of King Harold when recording that she recovered the king’s body for burial after the battle of Hastings[2075]. The later Vita Haroldi records that "a certain woman of a shrewd intelligence, Edith by name" recovered the king’s body from the battlefield, chosen to do so "because she loved him exceedingly…[and] had been frequently present in the secret places of his chamber"[2076]. The only source so far identified which refers to an earlier document which names Eadgyth is the history of the abbey of St Benet, Holme, written by John of Oxnead in 1292, which records donations to the abbey, confirmed by King Edward in 1046, including the donation by "Edgyue Swanneshals" of "Thurgertone" (Thurgarton, Norfolk)[2077]. The fact of this donation is confirmed by the corresponding charter of King Edward, reproduced in Dugdale’s Monasticon[2078], which refers to the donation of "ecclesiam de Thurgartun cum tota villa" but omits the name of the donor. Barlow suggests that Eadgyth may have been "Ealdgyth" who is named in the will of her mother "Wulfgyth", dated to [1042/53], who bequeathed land "at Stisted, Essex to her sons Ælfketel and Ketel…at Saxlingham, Norfolk and Somerton, Suffolk to her daughters Gode and Bote, at Chadacre, Suffolk and Ashford to her daughter Ealdgyth, and at Fritton to Earl Godwin and Earl Harold"[2079]. The connection between Wulfgyth’s family and St Benet’s, Hulme is confirmed by the testament of "Ketel" (named in his mother’s will quoted above), dated to [1052/66], which includes bequests of land to the abbey[2080]. However, Ketel’s testament names his two sisters Gode and Bote, who are also named in their mother’s will, but does not name "Ealdgyth", suggesting that the latter may have predeceased her brother. None of the sources so far identified suggests, even indirectly, that Eadgyth "Swanneshals" was the mother of the seven illegitimate children of King Harold who are shown below, but this has been assumed to be the case in secondary sources. [Mistress (2): --- (-after 1086). Domesday Book records "quædam concubina Heraldi" as holding three houses in Canterbury[2081]. It is not known whether this unnamed person was the same as Eadgyth "Swanneshals".]
  7. Title: "Harold Godwinson" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Godwinson;
    Note: Harold Godwinson King of the English Reign 5 January – 14 October 1066 Coronation 6 January 1066 Predecessor Edward the Confessor Successor Edgar Ætheling (uncrowned), William I Born c. 1022 Wessex, England Died 14 October 1066 (aged about 44) near Senlac Hill, Sussex, England Burial Waltham Abbey, Essex, or Bosham, Sussex (disputed) Spouse Edith the Fair Edith of Mercia Issue: Godwin Edmund Magnus Gunhild Gytha Ulf Harold Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon English king. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066[1] until his death at the Battle of Hastings, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England. His death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule over England. Harold Godwinson was a member of a prominent Anglo-Saxon family with ties to Cnut the Great. He became a powerful earl after the death of his father, Godwin, Earl of Wessex. After his brother-in-law, King Edward the Confessor, died without an heir on 5 January 1066, the Witenagemot convened and chose Harold to succeed him; he was probably the first English monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. In late September, he successfully repelled an invasion by rival claimant Harald Hardrada of Norway in York before marching his army back south to meet William the Conqueror at Hastings two weeks later. Harold was a son of Godwin (c. 1001–1053), the powerful earl of Wessex, and of Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, whose brother Ulf the Earl was married to Estrid Svendsdatter (c. 1015/1016), the daughter of King Sweyn Forkbeard (died 1014) and sister of King Cnut the Great of England and Denmark. Ulf and Estrid's son would become King Sweyn II of Denmark in 1047. Godwin was the son of Wulfnoth, probably a thegn and a native of Sussex. Godwin began his political career by supporting King Edmund Ironside (reigned April to November 1016), but switched to supporting King Cnut by 1018, when Cnut named him Earl of Wessex. Godwin remained an earl throughout the remainder of Cnut's reign, one of only two earls to survive to the end of that reign. On Cnut's death in 1035, Godwin originally supported Harthacnut instead of Cnut's initial successor Harold Harefoot, but managed to switch sides in 1037—although not without becoming involved in the 1036 murder of Alfred Aetheling, half-brother of Harthacnut and younger brother of the later King Edward the Confessor. When Harold Harefoot died in 1040, Harthacnut ascended the English throne and Godwin's power was imperiled by his earlier involvement in Alfred's murder, but an oath and large gift secured the new king's favour for Godwin. Harthacnut's death in 1042 probably involved Godwin in a role as kingmaker, helping to secure the English throne for Edward the Confessor. In 1045 Godwin reached the height of his power when the new king married Godwin's daughter Edith. Godwin and Gytha had several children—six sons: Sweyn, Harold, Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine and Wulfnoth (in that order); and three daughters: Edith of Wessex (originally named Gytha but renamed Ealdgyth (or Edith) when she married King Edward the Confessor), Gunhild and Ælfgifu. The birthdates of the children are unknown. Harold was aged about 25 in 1045, which makes his birth year around 1020. Powerful nobleman Edith married Edward on 23 January 1045 and, around that time, Harold became Earl of East Anglia. Harold is called "earl" when he appears as a witness in a will dated to 1044; by 1045, Harold regularly appears as an earl in documents. It is possible Harold led some of the ships from his earldom that were sent to Sandwich in 1045 against Magnus. It was also around the time that Harold was named an earl that he began a relationship with Edith the Fair, who appears to have been the heiress to lands in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex, lands in Harold's new earldom. The relationship was a form of marriage that was not blessed or sanctioned by the Church, known as More danico, or "in the Danish manner", and was accepted by most laypeople in England at the time. Any children of such a union were considered legitimate. Harold probably entered the relationship in part to secure support in his new earldom. In 1055 Harold drove back the Welsh, who had burned Hereford. Harold became Earl of Hereford in 1058... He led a series of successful campaigns (1062–63) against Gruffydd ap Llywelyn of Gwynedd, king of Wales. This conflict ended with Gruffydd's defeat and death in 1063. Reign At the end of 1065, King Edward the Confessor fell into a coma without clarifying his preference for the succession. He died on 5 January 1066, according to the Vita Ædwardi Regis, but not before briefly regaining consciousness and commending his widow and the kingdom to Harold's "protection". The intent of this charge remains ambiguous, as is the Bayeux Tapestry, which simply depicts Edward pointing at a man thought to represent Harold. When the Witan convened the next day they selected Harold to succeed, and his coronation followed on 6 January, most likely held in Westminster Abbey, though no evidence from the time survives to confirm this. Although later Norman sources point to the suddenness of this coronation, the reason may have been that all the nobles of the land were present at Westminster for the feast of Epiphany, and not because of any usurpation of the throne on Harold's part. In early January 1066, hearing of Harold's coronation, Duke William II of Normandy began plans to invade England, building 700 warships and transports at Dives-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast. Initially, William could not get support for the invasion but, claiming that Harold had sworn on sacred relics to support his claim to the throne after having been shipwrecked at Ponthieu, William received the Church's blessing and nobles flocked to his cause. In anticipation of the invasion, Harold assembled his troops on the Isle of Wight, but the invasion fleet remained in port for almost seven months, perhaps due to unfavourable winds. On 8 September, with provisions running out, Harold disbanded his army and returned to London. On the same day Harald Hardrada of Norway, who also claimed the English crown, joined Tostig and invaded, landing his fleet at the mouth of the Tyne. The invading forces of Hardrada and Tostig defeated the English earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria at the Battle of Fulford near York on 20 September 1066. Harold led his army north on a forced march from London, reached Yorkshire in four days, and caught Hardrada by surprise. On 25 September, in the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold defeated Hardrada and Tostig, who were both killed. According to Snorri Sturluson, in a story described by Edward Freeman as "plainly mythical", before the battle a single man rode up alone to Harald Hardrada and Tostig. He gave no name, but spoke to Tostig, offering the return of his earldom if he would turn against Hardrada. Tostig asked what his brother Harold would be willing to give Hardrada for his trouble. The rider replied "Seven feet of English ground, as he is taller than other men." Then he rode back to the Saxon host. Hardrada was impressed by the rider's boldness, and asked Tostig who he was. Tostig replied that the rider was Harold Godwinson himself. Battle of Hastings On 12 September 1066 William's fleet sailed from Normandy..encountered storms and took shelter at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme... On 27 September the Norman fleet sailed for England, arriving the following day at Pevensey on the coast of East Sussex. Harold's army marched 241 miles (386 kilometres) to intercept William, who had landed perhaps 7,000 men in Sussex, southern England. Harold established his army in hastily built earthworks near Hastings. The two armies clashed at the Battle of Hastings, at Senlac Hill (near the present town of Battle) close by Hastings on 14 October, where after nine hours of hard fighting, Harold was killed and his forces defeated. His brothers Gyrth and Leofwine were also killed in the battle, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The account of the contemporary chronicler William of Poitiers states that the body of Harold was given to William Malet for burial...Another source states that Harold's widow, Edith Swannesha, was called to identify the body, which she did by some private mark known only to her. Marriages and children For some twenty years Harold was married more danico (Latin: "in the Danish manner") to Edith the Fair and had at least six children with her. She was considered Harold's mistress by the clergy. About January 1066, Harold married Edith (or Ealdgyth), daughter of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia, and widow of the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. Edith had one son, named Harold, probably born posthumously. Another of Harold's sons, Ulf, may have been a twin of the younger Harold, though most historians consider him a son of Edyth Swannesha. Both these sons survived into adulthood and probably lived out their lives in exile. After her husband's death, Edith fled for refuge to her brothers, Edwin, Earl of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria, but both men made their peace with King William initially before rebelling and losing their lands and lives. Edith may have fled abroad (possibly with Harold's mother, Gytha, or with Harold's daughter, Gytha). Harold's sons, Godwin and Edmund, fled to Ireland and then invaded Devon, but were defeated by Brian of Brittany. Harold's son Ulf, along with Morcar and two others, were released from prison by King William as he lay dying in 1087. Ulf threw his lot in with Robert Curthose, who knighted him, and then disappeared from history. Two of Harold's other sons, Godwine and Edmund, invaded England in 1068 and 1069 with the aid of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó (High King of Ireland) but were defeated at the Battle of Northam. In 1068, Diarmait presented another Irish king with Harold's battle standard.
  8. Title: GUNHILD, daughter of HAROLD II King of England, in record of "EUDES de Bretagne" - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/brittcope.htm#AlainRufusdied1089;
    Note: B. COMTES de PENTHIEVRE EUDES de Bretagne, son of GEOFFROY I Duke of Brittany & his wife Havise de Normandie (-Cesson 1079, bur Saint-Brieuc). Guillaume of Jumièges names “Emma...secunda Hadvis...tertia Mathildis” as the three daughters of Richard and his wife “Gunnor ex nobilissima Danorum prosapia ortam”, adding that Havise married “Goiffredo Britannorum comiti” by whom she had “Alanum et Eudonem duces”[322]. A charter dated 1008 records that, after the death of "Gaufrido comite Britanniæ", "filii eius Alanus et Eudo cum matre eorum Hadeguisia" restored the abbey of Saint-Méen[323]. "Alanus et Egio Britannorum monarchi" founded the priory of Livré "in pago Redonensi" by charter dated to [1013/22], signed by "…Aduise matre eorum comitum, Rivalloni vicarii, Triscanni…"[324]. A charter dated 1026 recalls that "Gaufridus, Conani Curvi filius" was killed "apud Concuruz prelium", recalling that "quo defuncto, Alanus filius eius…renum patris suscipiens", witnessed by "Alanus comes…Heudo frater eius"[325]. He appears to have ruled Brittany jointly with his brother until the death of their mother in 1034. Following disputes with his brother, a division of territories was agreed, Eudes taking the dioceses of Dol, Saint Malo, Saint Brieuc and Tréguier, at which time he can be said to have become Comte de Penthièvre. "Manigenius…miles" founded the priory of Saint-Cyr-lès-Rennes and donated it to Tours Saint-Julien by charter dated 23 May 1037, subscribed by "Alanus dux…Eudonis fratris Alani ducis Britannorum, Gotzelini vicecomitis, Rualentis domini Doli…"[326]. After the death of his brother in 1040, Eudes seized Brittany and excluded his nephew, succeeding as EUDES I Duke of Brittany. According to Orderic Vitalis, Eudes ruled the country "freely without acknowledging any lord for 15 years"[327]. However, his nephew retaliated, captured Eudes and imprisoned him in chains[328]. "Comes Eudo et nepos eius Gaufridus, Robertus vicecomes et frater eius Eudo…Guichomarus filius Alani vicecomitis…" witnessed a charter dated to 1050 relating to the abbey of Saint-Georges de Rennes[329]. "Comes Eudo, uxor eius Orguen et filii eorum Gausfridus, Alanus, Willelmus, Rotbertus, Ricardus…" witnessed the charter dated to [1056/60] records the history of the acquisition by Angers Saint-Aubin of property "in pago Belvacensi", finally donated by "comiti Britannie Eudoni"[330]. The Chronicon Britannico records the death in 1079 of "Eudo Dux Britanniæ"[331]. m ORGUEN [Agnes] de Cornouaïlle, daughter of ALAIN "Caignard" Comte de Cornouaïlle & his wife Judith de Nantes . "Comes Eudo, uxor eius Orguen et filii eorum Gausfridus, Alanus, Willelmus, Rotbertus, Ricardus…" witnessed the charter dated to [1056/60] records the history of the acquisition by Angers Saint-Aubin of property "in pago Belvacensi", finally donated by "comiti Britannie Eudoni"[332]. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not yet been identified. Mistresses (1) - (x): ---. The names of Eudes's mistresses are not known. Comte Eudes & his wife had six children: 1. GEOFFROY "Boterel" de Bretagne (-killed in battle Dol 24 Aug [1091/93], bur Saint-Brieuc). "Comes Eudo, uxor eius Orguen et filii eorum Gausfridus, Alanus, Willelmus, Rotbertus, Ricardus…" witnessed the charter dated to [1056/60] records the history of the acquisition by Angers Saint-Aubin of property "in pago Belvacensi", finally donated by "comiti Britannie Eudoni"[333]. His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated to [1084], cited below, which confirms that he was the brother of Brien, combined with Guillaume de Jumièges naming Brien's parents (see below). He succeeded his father as Comte de Penthièvre et de Tréguier. The Chronicon Briocensi records that, after the death of his father, "Gaufridus filius Eudonis" rebelled against "Conanus Dux" but was forced to flee[334]. "Gauffredus comes filius Eudonis comitis" founded the priory of Saint-Martin de Lamballe by charter dated 1083, signed by "Gauffredus ipse comes, Rotbertus frater eius…Haimo vicecomes…"[335]. "Geoffrey count of the Bretons called Boterel" donated property to the abbey of Saint-Florent, Saumur with the consent of "all his brothers namely Brientius comes Angliæ terræ, and Alan Rufus his successor and another Alan who was called Niger, this third succeeded him in the kingdom" by charter dated to [1084][336]. The Chronicon Britannico records that "Gaufredus Botherel" was killed in 1091[337]. The Chronicon Ruyensis Cœnobii records that "Gaufredus Comes" was killed "apud castrum Dolense" in 1092[338]. The Chronicon Britannico Alter records that "Comes Gaufridus filius Eudonis Ducis" was killed in 1093 "IX Kal Sep…apud Dolum, Archiepiscopatum Britanniæ"[339]. m ---. The name of Geoffroy's wife is not known. Geoffroy & his wife had [one child]: a) [CONAN (-killed in battle Antioch 9 Feb 1098). Albert of Aix names "…domnus Alens cognomine Fercans, Conans quoque, ambo principes Brittanorum…" among those who took part in the siege of Nikaia, dated to mid-1097 from the context[340]. Orderic Vitalis records that "Conanus quoque Brito filius Gaufredi comitis" took part in the siege of Nikea in 1097[341]. He may have been the son of Geoffroy Comte de Penthièvre. However, if this is correct, it is puzzling that no record has been found of Conan holding the county of Pe nthièvre after his father.] 2. ALAIN "Rufus/the Red" de Bretagne (-4 Aug 1093, bur Bury St Edmunds). "Comes Eudo, uxor eius Orguen et filii eorum Gausfridus, Alanus, Willelmus, Rotbertus, Ricardus…" witnessed the charter dated to [1056/60] records the history of the acquisition by Angers Saint-Aubin of property "in pago Belvacensi", finally donated by "comiti Britannie Eudoni". It is not known whether "Alanus" in this charter refers to Alain "Rufus" or to Alain "Niger". The fact that only one of these sons is named in this document suggests that the other was illegitimate. For the purpose of presentation in this document, it has been assumed that the illegitimate son was Alain "Niger", who succeeded to the honours in Yorkshire after the death of his [half-]brother Alain "Rufus", but this is not beyond all doubt. The Genealogia Comitum Richemundiæ names "Alanum…Rufum…Alanus Niger…Stephanus" as the three sons of "Eudo Comes Britanniæ", stating that Alain "Rufus" came to England with "Willelmo bastard Duce Normanniæ" who awarded him the "honorem et Comitatum Comitis Edwini in Eborakshire…Richmundshire" and built "castrum Richemont" but died childless and was buried "apud S Edmundum". He is said to have commanded the Breton contingent, with his brother Alain "the Black", at the battle of Hastings in 1066. He was granted land in Yorkshire by William I King of England, where he built the castle of Richmond. A manuscript which records the foundation of York St Mary records that “comes…Alanus nobiliorum Britanniæ prosapia exortus, Eudonis…comitis Britanniæ filius” founded “ecclesiam in honore S. Olavi…juxta civitatem Eboraci” and in 1088 founded the abbey on “burgum…extra civitatem juxta ipsam civitatem”. “Comes Alanus Rufus” donated property to Swavesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, for the soul of “patris sui Eudonis comitis”, by undated charter witnessed by “…Ribaldus et Bardulfus fratres comitis…”. He commanded the king's garrison in Normandy at the time of the siege of the castle of Sainte-Suzanne in [1083/85]. "Omnes fratres eius: Briennius…comes Anglice terre et Alanus Rufus eius…successor…alter Alanus qui et Niger dicebatur…tertius successit in regno et quidam qui sororem eius bastardam uxorem duxerat Enisandus de Pleveno" witnessed the charter dated 1084, relating to the foundation of the priory of Saint-Martin de Lamballe by "Gauffredus Britannorum comes qui et Boterellus cognominabatur". "Geoffrey count of the Bretons called Boterel" donated property to the abbey of Saint-Florent, Saumur with the consent of "all his brothers namely Brientius comes Angliæ terræ, and Alan Rufus his successor and another Alan who was called Niger, this third succeeded him in the kingdom" by charter dated to [1084]. Mistress: GUNHILD, illegitimate daughter of HAROLD II King of England & his mistress Eadgyth Swanneshals (-after 1093). Alan abducted Gunhild, daughter of Harold II King of England, from Wilton Abbey and lived with her. Alain & his mistress had [one possible illegitimate child]: a) [MATHILDE . Richard Sharp suggests that the wife of Walter [I] de Aincourt was the [illegitimate] daughter of Alain "Rufus" de Bretagne Lord of Richmond & his mistress Gunhild ---. This is based on her apparent royal ancestry which is indicated in the epitaph which records the death of her son "Wi[llelmus] filius Walteri Aiencuriensis…regia styrpe progenitus". It should be noted that the epitaph ("Wi[llelmus] filius Walteri Aiencuriensis consanguinei Remigii episcopi Lincolniensis…prefatus Willelmus regia styrpe progenitus") distinguishes between Walter’s relationship with the bishop of Lincoln and William’s being “regia styrpe progenitus”, which indicates that the latter connection must come from his mother’s family. Some of the property which she donated to York St Mary was previously held by Alain "Rufus" (including Little Abington in Cambridgeshire, which he had acquired with the lands of "Eddeva Pulcra"). m WALTER [I] de Aincourt, son of --- (-[1103]).] 3. GUILLAUME de Bretagne . ...
  9. Title: Edith the Fair From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_the_Fair;
    Note: Edith the Fair Born c. 1025 Died c. 1066 Spouse(s) Harold Godwinson Children Godwin Edmund Magnus Gunhild Gytha Ulf Edith the Fair (Old English: Ealdgȳð Swann hnesce, "Edyth the Gentle Swan"; c. 1025 – c. 1066), also known as Edith Swanneck,[note 1] may have been the first wife of King Harold Godwinson.[1] "Swanneck" (or Swan-Neck) comes from the folk etymology which made her in Old English as swann hnecca, "swan neck", which was actually most likely a corrupted form of swann hnesce, "Gentle Swan" .[2] She is sometimes confused with Ealdgyth, daughter of Earl Ælfgar of Mercia, who was queen during Harold's reign. She may be identical with Eadgifu the Fair, who was one of the wealthiest magnates in England on the eve of the Norman conquest. Marriage Edith may have been the mother of Harold's daughter Gunhild of Wessex, who became the mistress of Alan Rufus, and Gytha of Wessex, who was taken by her grandmother to Denmark in 1068.[1] Gytha was addressed as "princess" and married the Grand Duke of Kiev, Vladimir II Monomakh.[3] In a 2015 monograph, historian Bill Flint claims that Edith Swanneshals and Harold were legitimately married. Flint overturns many previous assumptions made about Edith's relationship with Harold, including the fidelity of the couple's marital union and Christian devotion. Flint argues that Edith and Harold were almost certainly married more danico: the Danish hand-fast marriage custom. As evidence for this, he cites a number of dowry bequests that were made at the time of Edith's union to Harold. Flint notes that the bequests made included Walsingham Manor, making Edith in all probability "the lady of the manor" during the year of 1061, which was identified by Tudor historian Richard Pynson as the year of the foundation of the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Flint claims that the union more danico of Edith and Harold is legitimate from a Catholic perspective, arguing: "The changes confirming the Sacramental nature of Christian marriage had only recently been promulgated from Rome. Throughout the Danelaw and widespread among the nobility of England who now had many such Scandinavian bloodlines, the hand-fast marriage, which was customary and widely accepted throughout northern Europe, should not be referred to as an illegitimate union." (p. 9). In fact, the Anglo-Saxons had practiced hand-fast marriage long before Danish conquest. Though Harold is said to have lawfully married Ealdgyth, the daughter of Earl Ælfgar, the widow of the Welsh ruler Gruffydd ap Llywelyn whom he had defeated in battle, that marriage in spring 1066 is seen by most modern scholars as one of political convenience.[4] Mercia and Wales were allied against England, and the marriage gave the English claim in two very troublesome regions, and also gave Harold Godwinesson a marriage deemed "legitimate" by the clergy, unlike his longtime common law marriage with Edith the Fair. Walsingham visionary Flint identifies Edith as the visionary known colloquially as "Rychold" or "Richeldis de Faverches", who authored Our Lady of Walsingham. The identification of Edith as the Walsingham visionary is rooted in his belief that the earlier date of the shrine's foundation, given by Richard Pynson as 1061, is credible. Pynson's history, which is given in a narrative poem known as the Pynson Ballad, had been previously thrown out by historians on the grounds it was unreliable as an oral narrative, but Flint defends the ballad on the grounds that Pynson was a respected historian, employed by King Henry VII, who also collaborated with John Leland. Flint contests the theories of J.C. Dickinson (1959) on the grounds that the 1131 Norfolk Roll, which Dickinson claims refers to the foundation of the shrine, actually refers to the foundation of the Priory of the Austin Friars, which preceded the foundation of the Walsingham Shrine (see p. xxii). He also notes that Edith Swanneshals was known within the court as "Rychold", meaning "fair and rich", and the appellatory title given by Pynson could therefore refer to the Anglo-Saxon Queen—a reference which is consistent with the original date given in the Pynson Ballad as 1061, for Edith Swaneshals was the Lady of the Walsingham Manor in this period (p. xxvii). Flint therefore establishes Edith Swaneshals as a Christian queen and the legitimate spouse of Harold Godwinson; as well as defending her Christian character as the probable visionary of the Shrine of Walsingham. In defending Edith's Christian character Flint cites her friendship with Wulfstan of Worcester. Folklore According to folklore, Edith identified Harold's body after the Battle of Hastings.[5] The body was horribly mutilated after the battle by the Norman army of William the Conqueror, and, despite pleas by Harold's mother, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, for William to surrender Harold's body for burial, the Norman army refused, even though Harold's mother offered Harold's weight in gold. It was then that Edith the Fair walked through the carnage of the battle so that she might identify Harold by markings on his chest known only to her. It was because of Edith the Fair's identification of Harold's body that Harold was given a Christian burial by the monks at Waltham Abbey.[6] This legend is recounted in the well-known poem by Heinrich Heine, "The Battlefield of Hastings" (1855), which features Edith the Fair (as Edith Swan-Neck) as the main character and claims that the "marks known only to her" were love bites.
  10. Title: DOMESDAY PEOPLE REVISITED by Katharine Keats-Rohan
    Publication: Name: https://www.academia.edu/2039901/Domesday_People_Revisted;
    Note: Copyrighted so cannot copy article here, however: Identifies Matilda, the wife of Walter I de Aincourt, as the daughter of Count Alan Rufus, lord of Richmond and Gunnilda, daughter of King Harold Godwinsson (King Harold II of England) and his concubine Edgiva Swanneck, in this article identified to be the same as Eddeva Pulcra. States that " letters of Archbishop Anselm that Harold’s daughter Gunnilda, who had taken refuge in Wilton abbey in 1066, was later the wife or concubine of Alan Rufus, and had sought the protection of Alan’s brother and successor on his death in August 1093." Identifies Alan and Gunnilda’s daughter Matilda as born about 1073, married Walter de Aincourt around 1089. Identifies how gifts made by Walter de Aincourt and Matilda to St Mary’s Abbey, York, supports these relationships as the properties originally Edgiva Swanneck, the concubine of King Harold Godwinsson Discusses Alan Rufus's death in August 1093 and that Gunnilda survived him and sought the protection of his brother.
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