Edmund, son of Harold Godwinson
fl. 1068 – 1069
House: Wessex
Edmund or Eadmund was a son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. His exact birth date is unknown, but he was likely born after his elder brother in the mid- or late 1040s. His family was influential in Anglo-Saxon England, with his grandfather being Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Edmund's mother, Edith Swan-neck, was married to Harold in a manner not recognized by the Church but accepted by the laity.
Edmund was probably named after Edmund Ironside, an English king known for resisting the Danish invasion. Although too young to fight at the Battle of Hastings, he was educated in military and diplomatic skills. Following the Norman conquest, Edmund and his brothers were exiled to Dublin, where they launched unsuccessful expeditions to reclaim their position in England.
In 1068, Edmund and his brothers sought refuge in Dublin under King Diarmait of Leinster. They launched raids from Ireland, attacking areas like the Bristol Channel and Somerset, but faced resistance and suffered losses. In 1069, another raid was attempted, resulting in a defeat at the Battle of Northam, which further diminished their chances of reclaiming power.
Edmund likely fled to Flanders and then to Denmark with his family, hoping for support from King Swein Estrithson. However, no further historical records mention Edmund after this period. The date of his death is unknown, and he left no known successors.
Notable events
- 1066Harold Godwinson defeated and killed at the Battle of Hastings.
- 1068Edmund exiled to Dublin with brothers due to Norman conquest.
- 1068Participated in raids from Dublin to south-western England.
- 1068Failed attack on Bristol and subsequent retreat to Somerset.
- 1068Battle at Bleadon against Eadnoth the Staller's forces.
- 1069Launched another raid from Dublin with 64 ships.
- 1069Defeated at the Battle of Northam by Brian of Brittany.
- 1069 or 1070Fled to Flanders and then to Denmark with family.
- 1074 or 1075Sister Gytha married Vladimir Monomakh, Prince of Smolensk.
- early 1070sDisappeared from historical records.
Other details
Death: Disappeared from historical records in the early 1070s; circumstances unknown.
Children: 0
Parents: Harold Godwinson, Edith Swan-neck