Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King

King Harold Godwineson (c. 1022-66) is one of history's more mysterious figures, known mainly for his defeat and death at the battle of Hastings. The author of this critical study of his career aims to show his true status and achievements which have been overshadowed by his unusual death. The critique of the sources of our knowledge of Harold reveals the distortions in the divergent "English" and "Norman" accounts available to modern commentators, affording a realistic assessment of Harold and his rival William.