Gytha Thorkelsdóttir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gytha Thorkelsdóttir |
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Gytha depicted in modern stained glass
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| Born | c. 997 |
| Died | c. 1069 |
| Spouse | Godwin, Earl of Wessex |
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| Father | Thorgil Sprakling |
Gytha Thorkelsdóttir (born around 997, died around 1069) was an important Danish noblewoman. She was also known as Githa. Gytha was married to Godwin, Earl of Wessex, a powerful English nobleman. She was the mother of Harold Godwinson, who became King of England. Her daughter, Edith of Wessex, became the queen of King Edward the Confessor.
Contents
Gytha's Family and Life
Gytha Thorkelsdóttir was the daughter of a Danish leader named Thorgil Sprakling. Her brother was Ulf Thorgilsson, a Danish Earl. Ulf was married to Estrid Svendsdatter, who was the sister of the famous King Cnut the Great. This shows that Gytha came from a very important family.
Gytha married Godwin of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman. They had many children together. Their family became one of the most powerful in England. One of their sons, Harold, later became the King of England.
Challenges and Changes in England
Gytha's family faced many difficult times. Two of her sons, Harold and Tostig, fought against each other at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Tostig was killed in this battle.
Less than a month later, England faced a huge invasion. This was the Norman Conquest. Three more of Gytha's sons, Harold, Gyrth, and Leofwine, were killed at the Battle of Hastings. Harold, who was king, died in this battle.
After the Battle of Hastings, Gytha lived in Exeter. Some people believe she might have encouraged the city to rebel against William the Conqueror in 1067. William was the new king of England. He then attacked Exeter to take control.
Gytha tried to get William to return her son King Harold's body, but she was not successful. After the Norman Conquest, Gytha left England. Many other important Anglo-Saxon families also left. William had taken all of the Godwin family's lands. Gytha likely went to Scandinavia to live with her relatives there.
Her youngest son, Wulfnoth, was held captive in Normandy for most of his life. He was only freed after William the Conqueror died in 1087. Only her eldest daughter, Queen Edith, still had some influence. She was the widow of the previous king, Edward the Confessor.
Gytha's Children
Gytha and Godwin had several children who played important roles in English history:
- Sweyn Godwinson, who was an Earl in Herefordshire. He lived from about 1020 to 1052.
- Harold Godwinson, who became King of England. He lived from about 1022 to October 14, 1066.
- Edith of Wessex, who was queen to Edward the Confessor. She lived from about 1025 to December 19, 1075.
- Tostig Godwinson, an Earl in Northumbria. He lived from about 1026 to September 25, 1066.
- Gyrth Godwinson, an Earl in East Anglia. He lived from about 1030 to October 14, 1066.
- Gunhilda of Wessex, who became a nun. She lived from about 1035 to 1087.
- Leofwine Godwinson, an Earl in Kent. He lived from about 1035 to October 14, 1066.
- Ælfgifu of Wessex, born around 1035.
- Wulfnoth Godwinson, who lived from about 1040 to 1094.
See also
Related Reading
- Barlow, Frank (1988) The Feudal Kingdom of England 1042–1216 (New York: Longman) ISBN: 0-582-49504-0
- DeVries, K. (1999) The Norwegian Invasion of England in 1066 (Woodbridge, UK: Boydell Press) ISBN: 0-85115-763-7
- Mason, Emma (2004) House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty (London: Hambledon & London) ISBN: 1-85285-389-1
- Rex, Peter (2005) Harold II: The Doomed Saxon King (Stroud, UK: Tempus) ISBN: 978-0-7394-7185-2
- Walker, Ian (2000) Harold the Last Anglo-Saxon King (Gloucestershire: Wrens Park) ISBN: 0-905778-46-4
