Osgod Clapa facts for kids

Osgod Clapa (who also went by Osgot) was an important person in Anglo-Saxon England. He lived during the time of several kings, including Cnut the Great, Harold Harefoot, Harthacnut, and Edward the Confessor. His name, Osgod, came from an old Danish word, and his nickname, Clapa, meant "rough" or "coarse" in Old English.

Osgod was a powerful landowner, especially in the area called East Anglia. He also held a special job called staller. This was like being a high-ranking official, perhaps in charge of the king's horses or even a kind of royal guard. In 1046, Osgod was sent away from England, and he passed away in 1054.

Osgod's Early Life and Role

Osgod Clapa started appearing in official records around 1026. He was known as a witness to important documents, which shows he was trusted by the kings. He was a very influential person in his region.

A Royal Wedding and a King's Death

Osgod became more famous when his daughter, Gytha, got married. She married another important official named Tovi the Proud. It was at their wedding celebration, around June 8, 1042, that something very unexpected happened: King Harthacnut suddenly died! This event would have been a huge shock to everyone there.

Banishment and Exile

When Edward the Confessor became king, he initially kept Osgod in his important position. However, by late 1046, Osgod was suddenly forced to leave England. The exact reasons why he was banished are not completely clear.

It's possible his banishment was connected to another important person, Gunnhild, who was King Cnut's niece. She had been sent away from England earlier. Osgod seems to have found safety in a place called Flanders, where a powerful ruler named Count Baldwin V gave him a place to stay.

Osgod's Return Attempt

In 1049, an old historical record called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us about Osgod's attempt to come back to England. King Edward had gathered a large fleet of ships to help an ally, but then sent most of them home.

Suddenly, the king heard that Osgod was nearby with 39 ships! Osgod went to get his wife from a city called Bruges. They then sailed back with six ships. The rest of Osgod's ships headed towards Essex in England, near a place called The Naze.

A Stormy End

Osgod's men tried to raid the coast of Essex, taking things from the land, and then planned to return to their ships. But a very strong wind hit them. Most of Osgod's ships were lost in the storm, and nearly everyone on board died. Only four people survived, but they were later killed overseas.

Later Life and Death

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reports that Osgod Clapa died in 1054. It says he died "suddenly in his bed, as he lay at rest." He was still living in exile, away from England, at the time of his death.