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Death of Earl Godwin and English Politics in 1053

Type Event Region Europe Time 1053

In April 1053 Earl Godwin of Wessex fell suddenly ill and died at a royal banquet in Winchester;…

Timeline

  1. 1053Winchester · HampshireGodwin suffered a stroke or sudden illness at a banquet held by Edward the Confessor in Winchester, unable to answer the king's questioning, and was carried out of court; according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle he died within days.
  2. 1053England · EnglandAfter Godwin's death his son Harold inherited the earldom of Wessex and gradually took over governance, while his brothers divided control of the various counties; though the Godwin family still dominated, it lost the old earl's prestige and balancing ability, and English politics entered the age of Harold.

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