Harold I
Harold I (c.1016–40), king of England (c.1035–40), known as ‘Harefoot’, was a son of Cnut, by Ælfgifu of Northampton, his first wife. In 1035, on Cnut's death, he claimed the throne of England in opposition to his half-brother Harthacnut, whose mother was Emma, Cnut's second wife. Since the sons were young, the probability is that they were pawns in the hands of formidable mothers. They agreed to divide England, Harold taking the northern part and acting as regent for the rest, but by 1037 he had established himself as king of the whole realm. Harthacnut prepared to invade but Harold's death at Oxford in 1040 allowed a peaceful succession. When Harthacnut in turn died after a reign of only two years, Emma's other son, by Æthelred II, succeeded as Edward the Confessor.
J. A. Cannon
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Harold I
