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The House of Godwin: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Saxon Dynasty
The most powerful dynasty behind the throne of Anglo-Saxon England, shedding new light on events such as the Battle of Hastings.
The Godwin dynasty dominated English politics for more than forty years. Earl Godwin established himself as Cnut’s most senior advisor, and continued that role under Edward the Confessor, seeing his daughter Edith become queen and his two eldest sons Swegn and Harold given earldoms. After Godwin’s death four of his sons held earldoms, and Harold was to emerge as Edward the Confessor’s senior earl and eventually succeed as king of England.
This book considers all the key events throughout this period, including Godwin’s emergence, his involvement in the succession dispute after Cnut’s death, the rise to prominence of his eldest children, the family’s exile and dramatic return, the quarrel between Harold and Tostig, and the Norse and Norman invasions. Specific chapters have been devoted to Harold’s trip to Normandy and William of Normandy’s claims to the English throne, re-assessments of the accepted Norman landing site and traditional site of the battle of Hastings, and the fate of the surviving members of the dynasty post-1066.
Over a period of nearly fifty years the house of Godwin had established itself as the most influential and powerful dynasty in Anglo-Saxon England. It took only months for it to fall.
The Godwin dynasty dominated English politics for more than forty years. Earl Godwin established himself as Cnut’s most senior advisor, and continued that role under Edward the Confessor, seeing his daughter Edith become queen and his two eldest sons Swegn and Harold given earldoms. After Godwin’s death four of his sons held earldoms, and Harold was to emerge as Edward the Confessor’s senior earl and eventually succeed as king of England.
This book considers all the key events throughout this period, including Godwin’s emergence, his involvement in the succession dispute after Cnut’s death, the rise to prominence of his eldest children, the family’s exile and dramatic return, the quarrel between Harold and Tostig, and the Norse and Norman invasions. Specific chapters have been devoted to Harold’s trip to Normandy and William of Normandy’s claims to the English throne, re-assessments of the accepted Norman landing site and traditional site of the battle of Hastings, and the fate of the surviving members of the dynasty post-1066.
Over a period of nearly fifty years the house of Godwin had established itself as the most influential and powerful dynasty in Anglo-Saxon England. It took only months for it to fall.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 28, 2022
It was so nearly so different. Having risen from relative obscurity, Earl Godwin had married his eldest daughter to Edward, the king of England, and raised his sons to the most important earldoms in the country. When Godwin died, his surviving sons, Harold and Tostig, slipped smoothly into the positions of command and influence that Godwin had earned during his life, becoming the effective rulers of the kingdom as Edward slowly released the reins of power.
With Edward childless, the question of the succession increasingly dominated the last years of his reign. Tostig, who Key argues might have been Edward’s favourite among the four Godwinson earls, was banished in 1065 following a revolt by the northern nobility, with Harold’s connivance. A furious Tostig, nursing his sense of betrayal, went looking for foreign backers to help him reclaim his inheritance and found a backer in Harald Hardrada, the king of Norway and the most famous warrior of the age.
Harold, who by this time had been crowned king following Edward’s death, was concentrating on the threat from Normandy: Duke William claimed that Edward had promised the crown to him. Hearing of his brother’s invasion, Harold rushed north, killed Tostig and Harald at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, only to hear that William had landed in Sussex…
In this fascinating book, Michael John Key recounts the extraordinary rise and the even more dramatic fall of the House of Godwin and successfully argues that, if Harold had prevailed at Hastings (and it was a very close-run thing) he would have gone on to be regarded as one of the great kings of English history, and Earl Godwin as the founder of one of the great royal dynasties. But Harold’s exhausted men, having fought one battle 19 days earlier, were unable to hold out to nightfall in the second. William won, and history took one of its sharpest turns.
With Edward childless, the question of the succession increasingly dominated the last years of his reign. Tostig, who Key argues might have been Edward’s favourite among the four Godwinson earls, was banished in 1065 following a revolt by the northern nobility, with Harold’s connivance. A furious Tostig, nursing his sense of betrayal, went looking for foreign backers to help him reclaim his inheritance and found a backer in Harald Hardrada, the king of Norway and the most famous warrior of the age.
Harold, who by this time had been crowned king following Edward’s death, was concentrating on the threat from Normandy: Duke William claimed that Edward had promised the crown to him. Hearing of his brother’s invasion, Harold rushed north, killed Tostig and Harald at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, only to hear that William had landed in Sussex…
In this fascinating book, Michael John Key recounts the extraordinary rise and the even more dramatic fall of the House of Godwin and successfully argues that, if Harold had prevailed at Hastings (and it was a very close-run thing) he would have gone on to be regarded as one of the great kings of English history, and Earl Godwin as the founder of one of the great royal dynasties. But Harold’s exhausted men, having fought one battle 19 days earlier, were unable to hold out to nightfall in the second. William won, and history took one of its sharpest turns.
March 21, 2022
Michael John Key has presented a well written and well considered book. He has made the most of the limited and often conflicting evidence to portray a man and his family who were present during pivotal events in England's history.
Beyond the events of 1066, which are some of England's greatest 'what if' moments, this book considers Earl Godwin's influence on England's monarchy from Cnut to Edward the Confessor. The family dynamics, including the family black sheep, and the fall out from Tostig's ousting as Earl of Northumbria, and the rise of Harold are discussed and assessed.
The greater historical picture, such as Swein Forkbeard's invasion of England, and Cnut's subsequent invasion, Edward's familial and political relationships with Normandy, and the history and actions of the various Earls are also presented.
The narrative is a little repetitive in places. But it mostly comes across as a professor who occasionally feels the need to remind you of certain points to ensure you understand the context of what he's going to tell you next.
Where the historical records differ, the author lays all records down and discusses the plausible, the implausible, and the most likely events, timing etc. Where records do not exist, the various options are discussed, and reasons for choosing one over another are clearly given.
All in all a very good book which filled some gaps in this reader's knowledge and understanding of this period in English and European history.
If this is the first book you read on these people or these events, you might need to do some side googling, but you won't get lost as Michael John Key has done a very good job at laying out the story path.
A definite 'will recommend' book.
Beyond the events of 1066, which are some of England's greatest 'what if' moments, this book considers Earl Godwin's influence on England's monarchy from Cnut to Edward the Confessor. The family dynamics, including the family black sheep, and the fall out from Tostig's ousting as Earl of Northumbria, and the rise of Harold are discussed and assessed.
The greater historical picture, such as Swein Forkbeard's invasion of England, and Cnut's subsequent invasion, Edward's familial and political relationships with Normandy, and the history and actions of the various Earls are also presented.
The narrative is a little repetitive in places. But it mostly comes across as a professor who occasionally feels the need to remind you of certain points to ensure you understand the context of what he's going to tell you next.
Where the historical records differ, the author lays all records down and discusses the plausible, the implausible, and the most likely events, timing etc. Where records do not exist, the various options are discussed, and reasons for choosing one over another are clearly given.
All in all a very good book which filled some gaps in this reader's knowledge and understanding of this period in English and European history.
If this is the first book you read on these people or these events, you might need to do some side googling, but you won't get lost as Michael John Key has done a very good job at laying out the story path.
A definite 'will recommend' book.
May 25, 2022
When we think of the past, especially those close to a thousand years past our current time, we tend to think about kings and conquerors who transformed the political landscape of certain countries. However, kings and conquerors would be nothing more than mere men if it was not for advisors and allies that stood by their sides or against them. For example, for nearly a century, the men and women of the House of Godwin were at the center of Anglo-Saxon politics and helped or hindered the path of those who wished to sit on the throne of England. The House of Godwin might not be a familiar family for those who are not familiar with Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman Conquest. Still, Michael John Key takes on the challenge to tell their story in his book, “The House of Godwin: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Saxon Dynasty.”
I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard of the House of Godwin, but I only knew about some family members, like Earl Godwin and Harold Godwinson, who would become King Harold II. I wanted to learn more about this family and what kind of influence they held before and after the Norman Conquest.
Key begins by showing his readers how Godwin became Earl Godwin through the reigns of Swein Forkbeard, Edmund the Confessor, and King Cnut. Godwin married a Danish noblewoman named Gytha, and they would go on to have at least eight children, the eldest being a son named Swegn; Swegn was seen as the black sheep of the family and caused quite a few headaches for his father. When Cnut died, Earl Godwin helped navigate the succession squabble to get Harold Harefoot to the throne to become King Harold I.
After Harold I’s death, Godwin decided to take matters into his own hands as he proposed a marriage between Edward the Confessor and his daughter Edith. Under Edward’s reign, we see the rise of the eldest sons of Godwin, Harold, and Tostig, but we also see the Godwinson family in exile. Godwin would win his earldom back, but when news reached him that his eldest son Swegn died, he died soon afterward. Harold would become the head of the family, the chief advisor to Edward the Confessor, and eventually the king’s heir.
Since the events of Edward’s succession and Harold’s reign were the catalyst for the Norman invasion, Key spends a few chapters looking into the events that led to the monumental year of 1066. He also looks at critical battles, especially the Battle of Hastings and how they allowed William the Conqueror to become King of England. Key also examines the relationship between Harold and Tostig, which would help bring the Godwinsons crashing down.
I think Key does a decent job of diving deep into the archives as he tries to find the truth of the 11th century. There were points where it was a bit dry for me, but I did appreciate the charts and maps that he included to help illustrate the wealth and land holdings of the Godwinsons. Overall, I think it was a solid yet complex introduction to the Godwinsons and their legacy. Suppose you want to learn more about Anglo-Saxon England and one of the most influential families of that period in history. In that case, I recommend you read “The House of Godwin: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Saxon Dynasty” by Michael John Key.
I want to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard of the House of Godwin, but I only knew about some family members, like Earl Godwin and Harold Godwinson, who would become King Harold II. I wanted to learn more about this family and what kind of influence they held before and after the Norman Conquest.
Key begins by showing his readers how Godwin became Earl Godwin through the reigns of Swein Forkbeard, Edmund the Confessor, and King Cnut. Godwin married a Danish noblewoman named Gytha, and they would go on to have at least eight children, the eldest being a son named Swegn; Swegn was seen as the black sheep of the family and caused quite a few headaches for his father. When Cnut died, Earl Godwin helped navigate the succession squabble to get Harold Harefoot to the throne to become King Harold I.
After Harold I’s death, Godwin decided to take matters into his own hands as he proposed a marriage between Edward the Confessor and his daughter Edith. Under Edward’s reign, we see the rise of the eldest sons of Godwin, Harold, and Tostig, but we also see the Godwinson family in exile. Godwin would win his earldom back, but when news reached him that his eldest son Swegn died, he died soon afterward. Harold would become the head of the family, the chief advisor to Edward the Confessor, and eventually the king’s heir.
Since the events of Edward’s succession and Harold’s reign were the catalyst for the Norman invasion, Key spends a few chapters looking into the events that led to the monumental year of 1066. He also looks at critical battles, especially the Battle of Hastings and how they allowed William the Conqueror to become King of England. Key also examines the relationship between Harold and Tostig, which would help bring the Godwinsons crashing down.
I think Key does a decent job of diving deep into the archives as he tries to find the truth of the 11th century. There were points where it was a bit dry for me, but I did appreciate the charts and maps that he included to help illustrate the wealth and land holdings of the Godwinsons. Overall, I think it was a solid yet complex introduction to the Godwinsons and their legacy. Suppose you want to learn more about Anglo-Saxon England and one of the most influential families of that period in history. In that case, I recommend you read “The House of Godwin: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Saxon Dynasty” by Michael John Key.
January 15, 2026
This book is a biographical narrative of Earl Godwine of Wessex’s family. It starts with their humble origins in Sussex, progressing to their dominance in the first half of the 11th century and ending with their fate following the Norman Conquest.
Having read about Edward the Confessor’s reign extensively, I find that Godwine and his family are often portrayed negatively. Such views are influenced by an overreliance on hostile Norman sources, and Michael Key does a good job giving the Godwines a fair hearing. He writes an account of the period from their perspective, an updated version of which is much needed.
Traditional scholarship views Edward and Godwine’s relationship as a fractious one, but Key sees the dynamic as a cooperation between stubborn allies rather than the tolerance of mutual rivals. Key argues the detailed account of their disagreement during the 1051 crisis distorts our view. According to him, one high profile falling out does not define what was otherwise a harmonious partnership.
Godwine’s life is explored in depth, right from his family origins up until his death, but this biographical depth is lacking for his high-profile children Harold, Tostig, and Edith. We may have limited source material for them, but Key constructed a well-developed narrative of Godwine’s life from similarly scarce sources earlier in the book. I see no reason why he could not do the same for his famous children, particularly Harold.
As a result, the period in between Godwine’s death in 1053 and the demise of the family in 1066 is skipped over almost entirely. These years are crucial in understanding how the family feud between Harold and Tostig broke out in 1065. Conversely, I found the investigation into the exact location of the Hastings battlefield site to be excessive as it shifted focus away from the battle itself. It was interesting, but it took too much momentum away from telling the dramatic story of 1066. It would have been better placed as a chapter in the appendix.
Pacing issues aside, I also noticed a couple of bad mistakes being made. Edward the Martyr is confused with his ancestor Edward the Elder and the Northumbrian revolt is said to take place in 1055 rather than 1065. These should have been identified prior to publication.
Despite these flaws, I thought it was an enjoyable read overall. Everything relating to the family until 1053 and after 1066 is done very well, but the lack of focus on the other years makes the book feel incomplete. I would recommend this for those interested in medieval history who are looking for a new perspective on the affairs of pre-Norman England.
Having read about Edward the Confessor’s reign extensively, I find that Godwine and his family are often portrayed negatively. Such views are influenced by an overreliance on hostile Norman sources, and Michael Key does a good job giving the Godwines a fair hearing. He writes an account of the period from their perspective, an updated version of which is much needed.
Traditional scholarship views Edward and Godwine’s relationship as a fractious one, but Key sees the dynamic as a cooperation between stubborn allies rather than the tolerance of mutual rivals. Key argues the detailed account of their disagreement during the 1051 crisis distorts our view. According to him, one high profile falling out does not define what was otherwise a harmonious partnership.
Godwine’s life is explored in depth, right from his family origins up until his death, but this biographical depth is lacking for his high-profile children Harold, Tostig, and Edith. We may have limited source material for them, but Key constructed a well-developed narrative of Godwine’s life from similarly scarce sources earlier in the book. I see no reason why he could not do the same for his famous children, particularly Harold.
As a result, the period in between Godwine’s death in 1053 and the demise of the family in 1066 is skipped over almost entirely. These years are crucial in understanding how the family feud between Harold and Tostig broke out in 1065. Conversely, I found the investigation into the exact location of the Hastings battlefield site to be excessive as it shifted focus away from the battle itself. It was interesting, but it took too much momentum away from telling the dramatic story of 1066. It would have been better placed as a chapter in the appendix.
Pacing issues aside, I also noticed a couple of bad mistakes being made. Edward the Martyr is confused with his ancestor Edward the Elder and the Northumbrian revolt is said to take place in 1055 rather than 1065. These should have been identified prior to publication.
Despite these flaws, I thought it was an enjoyable read overall. Everything relating to the family until 1053 and after 1066 is done very well, but the lack of focus on the other years makes the book feel incomplete. I would recommend this for those interested in medieval history who are looking for a new perspective on the affairs of pre-Norman England.
January 13, 2024
Simply excellent
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews