Paternity Harold Harefoot



cnut, king of england, denmark, , norway, , sons harald harefoot , harthacnut


the anglo-saxon chronicle reports harold said son of cnut great , Ælfgifu of northampton, although not true . florence of worcester (12th century) elaborates on subject. claiming Ælfgifu wanted have son king unable to, secretly adopted newborn children of strangers , pretended have given birth them. harold reportedly son of cobbler, while brother svein knutsson illegitimate son of priest. deceived cnut recognizing both children own. harriet o brien doubts cnut, shrewd politician masterminded bloodless takeover of norway have been deceived in such way. suspects tale started out popular myth, or intentional defamation presumably tailored emma of normandy, other wife of cnut , rival Ælfgifu.








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