Invasion by Ælfred and Edward Harold Harefoot

coin of harold harefoot

in 1036, Ælfred Ætheling, son of emma long-dead Æthelred, returned kingdom exile in duchy of normandy brother edward confessor, show of arms. motivation uncertain. william of poitiers claimed had come claim english throne themselves. frank barlow suspected emma had invited them, possibly use them against harold. if so, mean emma had abandoned cause of harthacnut, strengthen own position. have inspired godwin abandon lost cause.

the encomium emmae reginae claims harold himself had lured them england, having sent them forged letter, supposedly written emma. letter reportedly both decried harold s behaviour against her, , urged estranged sons come , protect her. barlow , other modern historians suspect letter genuine. ian howard argued emma not being involved in major political manoeuvre out of character , , encomium trying mask responsibility blunder. william of jumièges reports earlier in 1036, edward had conducted successful raid of southampton, managing win victory against troops defending city , sailing normandy richly laden booty . swift retreat confirms william s assessment edward need larger army claim throne.

with bodyguard, according anglo-saxon chronicle, Ælfred intended visit mother, emma, in winchester, may have made journey reasons other family reunion. murmur in favour of harold , on direction of godwin (now apparently on side of harold harefoot), Ælfred captured. godwin had him seized , delivered escort of men loyal harefoot. transported ship ely, blinded while on board. died in ely after due severity of wounds, bodyguard treated. event later affect relationship between edward , godwin, confessor holding godwin responsible death of brother.

the failed invasion shows harold harefoot, son , successor cnut, had gained support of anglo-danish nobility, violently rejected claims of Ælfred, edward, , (by extension) aethelings. house of wessex had lost support among nobility of kingdom. might have served turning point in struggle between harold , emma resulted in emma s exile.