Godwin, son of Harold Godwinson

Godwin or Godwine, active between 1066 and 1069, was likely the eldest son of Harold Godwinson, King of England. Born in the mid- to late 1040s, he was part of a powerful Anglo-Saxon family. His mother, Edith Swan-neck, was married to Harold in a manner not recognized by the Church but accepted by the laity. Godwin was educated to be a nobleman, focusing on military and diplomatic skills, though he was too young to fight at the Battle of Hastings.

After Harold's defeat at Hastings, Godwin and his brothers were exiled to Dublin due to the Norman conquest. In Dublin, under King Diarmait's protection, Godwin led two expeditions to south-western England, both of which were unsuccessful. During these raids, they attacked areas around the Bristol Channel but failed to gain significant support or success. Godwin's attempts to reclaim power were thwarted, and he returned to Dublin without achieving his goals.

In 1069, Godwin and his brothers launched another raid from Dublin, targeting Exeter and parts of Devon. This raid also ended in failure, with many of their troops killed in battle. Following these setbacks, Godwin likely accompanied his family to Flanders and then to Denmark, seeking support from King Swein Estrithson. However, Swein did not assist them in their efforts to reclaim England.

Godwin's later life is less documented, but it is suggested that he may have moved east to Ruthenia. His sister Gytha married Vladimir Monomakh, Prince of Smolensk and Novgorod. Godwin's death circumstances and burial place are not detailed in the sources, and there is no record of his succession.