Harold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson, also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon monarch of England, ruling from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, after which the decisive Norman victory led to his succession by William the Conqueror. Harold came from the powerful House of Godwin and served as Earl of East Anglia before succeeding to his father's earldom of Wessex; following King Edward the Confessor's childless death on 5 January 1066, the Witenagemot selected Harold as successor, making him likely the first English monarch crowned at Westminster Abbey. In late September 1066 he defeated his Norwegian rival Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge before marching south to meet William two weeks later, where he fell in battle.