Wulfnoth Cild
unknown - c. 1014
House: Godwin
Titles: Thegn
Wulfnoth Cild was a South Saxon thegn who died around the year 1014. He is recognized by historians as the likely father of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, making him the grandfather of King Harold II. The substantial landholdings of the Godwin family in Sussex serve as strong evidence to support the identification of this Wulfnoth as the South Saxon thegn.
In a notable incident in 1009, Wulfnoth was charged with unspecified accusations by Brihtric, the brother of Eadric Streona, in front of King Æthelred the Unready. Wulfnoth fled with twenty ships and subsequently raided the south coast. His actions led to the destruction of a portion of the English fleet, facilitating a Viking invasion of Kent. It is likely that Wulfnoth’s estates were seized by Æthelred as a consequence of these events.
Notable events
- 1008King Æthelred the Unready ordered the construction of a fleet, which Wulfnoth would later be involved with.
- 1009300 ships assembled at Sandwich, Kent to prepare for a Viking invasion.
- 1009Wulfnoth faced accusations from Brihtric and fled with twenty ships, starting his rebellion.
- 1009Brihtric pursued Wulfnoth with eighty ships, which were destroyed in a storm and by Wulfnoth's forces.
- 1009Due to Wulfnoth's actions, a third of the fleet was lost and the remaining ships were pulled back to London.
- 1009The Vikings invaded Kent unopposed after the loss of the English fleet.
- c. 1014Wulfnoth Cild died, with his exact date of death unknown but before June 1014.
- UnknownThe church of St. Mary Woolnoth in London was founded, possibly by Wulfnoth Cild.
- UnknownDebate over Wulfnoth's ancestry, with some suggesting he was the son of Æthelmær the Stout.
- UnknownWulfnoth's potential identification as the founder of St. Mary Woolnoth church, contributing to his legacy.
Other details
Death: Wulfnoth Cild died by June 1014, with the specific circumstances of his death unknown.
Children: Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Parents: Father: Æthelmær