Harold I

king of England
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/biography/Harold-I
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Harold Harefoot
Quick Facts
Byname:
Harold Harefoot
Died:
March 17, 1040, Oxford, England
Title / Office:
king (1035-1040), England
Notable Family Members:
father Canute I

Harold I (died March 17, 1040, Oxford, England) was the king of England from 1035 to 1040, and the son of Aelgifu and Canute, the Danish king of England from 1016 to 1035.

Harold was made regent of England after Canute’s death. Hardecanute, Canute’s son by Emma and claimant to the English throne, was not chosen because he was occupied with affairs in Denmark, where he became king. In 1036 Harold was responsible for the brutal murder of another royal claimant, Alfred the Aetheling, son of King Ethelred the Unready (Ethelred II; reigned 978–1016). Harold then proclaimed himself king and banished Hardecanute’s mother. He protected his realm from Welsh and Scottish invaders, and on his death Hardecanute ascended the throne.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.