Godwine was the earl of wessex, the most powerful man in england during the opening years of the reign of edward the confessor Learn about the life and career of godwin, a powerful saxon earl who supported and opposed various kings of england Find out how he was involved in the death of alfred atheling, the marriage of edith to edward the confessor, and the conflict with the normans. The word kingmaker often evokes the image of richard neville, earl of warwick, who featured prominently in various plays for power during the wars of the roses But, several hundred years before warwick’s schemes, another man earned the title of kingmaker Godwin earl of wessex family tree image and table showing parent, wife, children and grandchildren
Godwin of wessex was an english nobleman who rose to prominence under king cnut the great and his successors He was appointed the first earl of wessex around 1020 His children included king harold ii and edith of wessex, who married king edward the confessor Initially a thegn's son from sussex, godwin's early support for the danish king's rule facilitated his rapid ascent to power. Godwine, earl of wessex (d Godwine rose to prominence in the reign of cnut, as one of his chief advisers, and has traditionally been held responsible for the brutal death of æthelred the unready's exiled son alfred in 1036
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