An authoritative life of Harold II, the king who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
Harold Godwinson is renowned as the king who lost England to the invading William the Conqueror in 1066. Infamous legends, invented by the Victorians, surround his life, corrupting our idea of him. But who was the real Harold II?
In this major new biography, Tom Licence reveals the truth behind the nineteenth-century myths. Moving from Harold's childhood and his adventures as an earl in Edward the Confessor's court, to his nine-month reign and the bloody battles at its end, Licence rewrites the story of his life at every turn. We see Harold's rupture with his family, his cultivation of alliances, and his political interventions at home and overseas. He seized the throne as a skilled political leader who was the prime candidate to unite a realm divided by rebellion. And, when war came to English shores, Harold managed the conflict as well as any commander could.
About the Author
Tom Licence is professor of medieval history and literature at the University of East Anglia. He is the author of several books, including Edward the Confessor.
Industry Reviews
"Offers new insights into the life and times of this much-mythologised monarch."-Katherine Harvey, Times (UK)
"Scholarly . . . Detailed . . . exhaustive."-Katherine Harvey, Times
"It's incredibly rare for a historian to come up with a new angle on such a well-worn story, so full marks to Licence. . . this book takes Harold's life and rewrites it in forensic detail, we all know the ending, but he finds a series of fresh twists to keep you hooked."-Neill Denny, BookBrunch
"Brings us closer to Harold than ever before, revealing a sophisticated character who combined piety with political shrewdness, demonstrated loyalty but connived to remove his rivals, and who responded skilfully to the invasion of his kingdom in 1066. A compelling work, always scholarly but never less than engrossing."-Roy Porter, English Heritage
"A magisterial exploration of Harold Godwinson's life and career, penned by a scholar at the peak of his considerable powers."-Nicholas Higham, author of How England Began
"Still loved by the English, an opportunist in a brutal age, Harold "Godwinson" is a complex figure. Here, his life is masterfully unravelled by Tom Licence, who applies nuance to historical sources with mixed agendas that obscure reality. A wonderfully engaging and information-packed biography."-Michael Lewis, British Museum, Curator of the Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition
"In his magisterial narrative, Tom Licence rescues King Harold from the quicksand of myths. A skilled (if wily) diplomat, Harold ruthlessly seized the crown that was not meant for him. By analysing Harold's character, his sibling relationships, and the challenging historical circumstances, Licence explains the enigma at the heart of the 1066 story: how can a proven military strategist so catastrophically lose a battle. A compelling tour de force."-Elisabeth van Houts, author of Empress Matilda
"A gripping, incisive and thought-provoking study of Harold by a brilliant historian."-David Woodman, author of The First King of England
"Magnificently written, this book is absolutely indispensable both to understanding Harold the man and the events in which he was a central participant."-David Bates, author of William the Conqueror
