Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

Edith Swan-Neck bore Harold Godwinsson six children: Godwin, Edmund, Magnus, Ulf, Gunhilds and Gytha. Gytha married Vladimir II, Grand Duke of Kiev and numbered amongst her descendants are the kings of Denmark, Hungary and, by way of the kings of Aragon, the kings of England and France. Harold married Edith "in the Danish manner" and when it was politically expedient, married under English law another Edith, the widow of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn whom he had overthrown in battle. She was the daughter of Alfgar, earl of Mercia and brother of Edwin and Morcar. That Harold's first marriage was a love match is undoubted. After Harold was slain at Senlac Hill there was difficulty in identifying his corpse, perhaps because it had been mutilated or maybe as it had been stripped of clothing and insignia. Edith Swan-Neck is said to have been waiting nearby, and was sent for to point out the body of her beloved.

See also: Edwin; Harold Godwinsson; King Grufydd ap Llewelyn; Morcar; Senlac Hill

Related Reading:

• Campaigns of the Norman Conquest
  (Essential Histories 12)