Wulfnoth Cild
unknown - c. 1014
House: Godwin
Titles: Thegn
Wulfnoth Cild was a South Saxon thegn known for his connection to the Godwin family, being the probable father of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and grandfather of King Harold II. In 1008, King Æthelred the Unready ordered the construction of a fleet to counter a Viking threat, and by 1009, 300 ships had gathered at Sandwich, Kent. Brihtric, brother of Eadric Streona, accused Wulfnoth of unknown charges, leading to Wulfnoth's flight with twenty ships and subsequent raids on the south coast.
Brihtric pursued Wulfnoth with eighty ships, but a storm drove his fleet ashore, where Wulfnoth burned them. This loss of a third of the fleet forced the remaining ships to retreat to London, allowing the Vikings to invade Kent without opposition. As a consequence, King Æthelred likely confiscated Wulfnoth's property. Wulfnoth's ancestry is debated, with some sources suggesting he was the son of Æthelmær, though this is disputed by historians due to chronological inconsistencies.
Wulfnoth Cild died around June 1014. His son Godwin succeeded him, becoming Earl of Wessex.
Notable events
- 1008King Æthelred the Unready ordered the construction of a fleet to counter Viking threats.
- 1009300 ships assembled at Sandwich, Kent to meet a Viking invasion.
- 1009Brihtric accused Wulfnoth of unknown charges before King Æthelred.
- 1009Wulfnoth fled with twenty ships and raided the south coast.
- 1009Brihtric pursued Wulfnoth with eighty ships, but a storm drove them ashore.
- 1009Wulfnoth burned Brihtric's fleet, leading to the withdrawal of the remaining ships.
- 1009Vikings invaded Kent unopposed after the fleet's withdrawal.
- 1009King Æthelred likely confiscated Wulfnoth's property following the fleet's destruction.
- c. June 1014Wulfnoth Cild died.
- unknownWulfnoth Cild was possibly the founder of the church of St. Mary Woolnoth in London.
Other details
Death: Wulfnoth Cild died around June 1014.
Children: Godwin, Earl of Wessex; Elfig, Abbot of Newminster
Parents: Æthelmær,