King Harold: The True Story Of The Last Anglo-Saxon King | Fact Or Fiction | Chronicle

The death of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings has been shrouded in legend for centuries. Immortalised in the Bayeux Tapestry, the last Anglo-Saxon King was supposedly struck down by an arrow during the battle. However his story goes far deeper than his legendary defeat to William The Conquerer. Join Tony Robinson as he embarks on a journey to find out the truth behind the last Anglo-Saxon king.
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[@keiththorpe9571]

When they give you a nickname like Ralf The Timid...they're really setting you up for failure, aren't they?

[@anna8389szczerba]

Lol

[@doctoruttley]

😂👌🏻👌🏻

[@SaxonSuccess]

Very Monty Python, isn't it? Ralph the Timid and his Timid Army.

[@phildicks4721]

I believe the chroniclers also nicknamed a king "the lazy assed. That pretty much tells you what they thought of that king.

[@benjonesthe3rd200]

“I knew I should’ve stayed home today”

[@jesterboykins2899]

I love these old stories of Anglo Saxon history. Very intriguing period of time. So much happening. Very interesting. Good stuff. Sir Tony is the cherry on top

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

There's always that one kid that's the favourite, although your parents say "Oh no he's not, we love all of you equally." Gets expelled from school(countries in Swein's case) Picks on his brothers, offends the neighbours (neighbouring countries) etc. Whilst the good kids like Harold get ignored.

[@RedRomanov]

I just noticed in Crusader Kings III on 1066 start, King Harold was listed as "Hard campaign" while William the Bastard was "Medium campaign"

[@papapedro6980]

Fighting off 2 separate invasions only days apart from eachother (the 2nd of which being after a forced march at breakneck speed with minimal rest) would definitely be deserving of a “hard” rating lmao. Saving Anglo-Saxon England is one of my favorite starts in ck3. Im actually playing an 867 anglo-saxon campaign as I watch this

[@MosDefnIT88]

Being from Texas, the only other two time periods of history I love more are ancient/medieval Britain history and feudal Japan. My favorite CK3 playthrough is a Welsh start and forming an alliance with anglo Saxon England to help fight off the invasions. Where I go from their is either cementing the alliance or intrigue my way to weakening the Saxon for an entire Welsh takeover.

[@papapedro6980]

@@MosDefnIT88 I normally play as one of the Mercian marcher lords and 99.9% of the time I end up marching across Offa’s dyke and wrecking the Welsh right after helping Harold throw William and Hadrada back into the sea. I need to read up some more on Welsh history because it seems interesting but my bias towards my Anglo-Saxon ancestors always wins out whenever Im looking to do a play through in the Isles.

[@papapedro6980]

@@MosDefnIT88 currently doing a Norman Sicily start which is pretty fun. Just formed the Kingdom of Sicily from the Duke of Capua start after marrying into the Hautville’s and inheriting a bunch of claims while I gobble up Sardinia for some income/manpower. Highly recommend it is lots of fun. I wish we had a bookmark in the 10th century so we could play the rise of the Normans instead of 100+ years later when they are pretty much settled.

[@msmyfavorites1234]

Now I love Tony Robinson documentaries... does anyone else notice how he is really churning them out recently?

[@lozzylols]

I think these were made quite a few years ago! You can find all the ones he has made and when on IMDb

[@LiberalAF]

These are old videos that have been rebranded and posted on KZbin

[@SHurd-rc2go]

@@LiberalAF Really old, but still great.

[@michaelcampin1464]

Thank you Tony. Very informative and enjoyable

[@NoName-us7wn]

This was very well written and enjoyed. Thank you.

[@hhwippedcream]

Thank you, Tony Robinson for presenting and writers/cinematographers for the education.

[@hhwippedcream]

What a trip to gain this perspective.

[@avalonkerr8332]

I listen to this doc as my comfort listening. I hope King Harold wouldn't mind.

[@tazkrebbeks3391]

Once again. Thank you Sir Anthony. Well done. 👍👍

[@joesteers5807]

The arrow in the eye case is an interesting one. I suggest anyone interested in the era and conquest to read Marc Morris’ book. His conclusion was that whilst Harold being felled by an arrow in the eye cannot be proven to have not happened there is also zero contemporary evidence or comment on this having occurred. Sources vary and contradict but the general claim is that William (or one of his close companions) spotted Harold and his brothers fighting on top of the hill and subsequently dispatched what was basically a death squad of knights to kill the King. In an age when rules around warfare and more specifically military leaders was beginning to emerge (or re-emerge depending on your view) this might not have reflected well on William on the international stage , no matter how just his cause. As many people know the Bayeux tapestry - whilst astonishing in its survival and detail - has been tampered with over the centuries. After closely studying the embroidery it was discovered that the figure below “Harold Rex interfectus est”,(famously clutching an arrow) might actually have originally been clutching a spear. When this alteration occurred is unclear. But the question of why it was is an equally interesting one. It seems that the death of Harold by an arrow loosed by an anonymous archer aligned much more nicely with the idea that Harolds death was ultimately down to Gods will for him having usurped (in the view of William and his supporters) the English throne. Harold was most likely hacked to death alongside his brothers and their Huscarls - like many in the closing moments of the battle. But if you like to take the view that Harold was killed by an arrow that’s fine as well as we simply will never know 100%.

[@johnbrereton5229]

An excellent documentary, though Tony claims that Harold was half Viking because his mother was Danish. Yet the Anglos originated in Denmark close to their neighbours the Saxons, so he was already related. Harold was also related to the Norman's or Northmen, who were also Vikings who again also originated in Denmark. So this whole affair can be viewed as more of a dynastic struggle for power. Though one can't help thinking that it was Harold who deserved to win, not William the bastard.

[@davidbenyehuda7618]

Shalom, perhaps you are unaware that these were Israelites, I e. So-called black people.

[@johnnywallen4353]

@@davidbenyehuda7618 the fuck?

[@davidbenyehuda7618]

@@johnnywallen4353 Shalom, perhaps you are unaware that so-called black people are indigenous to the planet and so-called white people are recent members of the world. Since we are indigenous to the planet, don't it make sense that you would find us everywhere? Please see Anacalypsis by G Higgins and Google black European royalty.

[@Totalchaos0228]

@@davidbenyehuda7618 you're nuts.

[@lucio989]

@@davidbenyehuda7618 we're not talking 250,000 years ago, we're talking 1000 years ago. White people have ran the planet for at least the last 3500 years. Black people aka sub Saharan Africans were isolated throughout time. The nubians made one push into Egypt and got pushed out.

[@offwiththefairiesforever2373]

Feel we missed out with Harold

[@TyrJustice]

Tony Robinson is the history GOAT

[@scottyfox6376]

Sorry but nope. He's a funny comedy actor but he's no historian. He just reads lines tbh.

[@TyrJustice]

@@scottyfox6376 you know nothing about history or comedy.

[@Rbattam]

he knows some things, from being around historians and archaeologists, be he is definitely not the goat of history. he's a presenter, not a historian. He' a good presenter, especially for historical documentaries.

[@TyrJustice]

@@Rbattam so who is the best historian Mr Battam?

[@Rbattam]

@@TyrJustice the best is hard to say, there are lots of good ones. But a presenter reads from a script. Just like david attenborough, the research and science behind it isn't his, but he gets all the credit for it for presenting it. Go to a university history department if you want to meet good historians.

[@leehaseley2164]

Tony delivered the strongest closing line you are ever likely to hear in a history documentary.

[@mathewhamm3509]

I'm trying to resist skipping to the end now.

[@mylesdobinson1534]

Yes that social divide is even stronger at the moment with your Tories in power and emasculating your country for their own ends. 🇦🇺

[@skvaderfpv]

This documentary is gold. Thank you for completing my history lessons from some decades ago.

[@cassiecavataio2982]

Harlod deserves a better reputation.

[@ccptube3468]

Agreed Mi Lady..

[@phatbastard100]

You mean harlots?

[@kevincassidy1983]

Brilliant. Bring back this type.of TV

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

The arrow in the eye theory has been discredited, it never happened, but the story was based on a later mis-reading of the Bayeux Tapestry.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Well, how do we *know* it didn't happen? Any more than we believe it did? Are there any extant written reports?

[@scottyfox6376]

Edith (Swan neck) identified King Harold's body by his eermm "Johnson" crown jewels if you will.

[@zoetropo1]

Is that so?

[@Mehitabel18]

They say she identified marks and signs on his body.

[@jorgesantell7220]

Outstanding thank you

[@maurachapman4179]

Tony is chronicling history

[@manuelkong10]

Harold would have made a Great king

[@alancoe1002]

He was, in the short time he had. If only he'd waited a few weeks to build up and rest his army. They were as mobile as the Normans and were mostly dismounted only to fight. But the Normans were burning and pillaging and the people wanted action right away. Too bad.

[@EduardQualls]

The problem with Harold was that, although he was a clever sheep, he could never grasp the benefits of ovine aviation. "Notice, they do not so much fly, as plummet." --overheard at Hastings

[@nobody8328]

And what exactly are the commercial possibilities of ovine aviation? Baaa-baaa brrrr brrr

[@vaughnblaylock6069]

To spend a day with Tony walking these sites would be pure gold. As a descendant of both William and Harold, although William won the day, some part of me wishes that Harold had won. A tremendous amount of Saxon history was lost during William's rather brutal purge, and we might know today so much more of early Britain had that day in 1066 gone differently. England might also not have the current monarch, who isn't even British.

[@brooklynnchick]

Oh my goodness, that would be the sort of event you could mark time by! What an amazing opportunity that would be. Maybe you could write someone in Time Team or his manager and suggest it as a fundraiser for archaeology in England, I bet you’d get to go as well!

[@vaughnblaylock6069]

@@brooklynnchick I would love that.

[@G4mer_D4d]

thank you Bordrik.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

We get barely a glimpse of that beautiful Saxon church, and the rest of the hour watching the host talk.

[@3Dimencia]

arrow through the eye.. instant death. battle hadn't even started and he was dead. must have been like that scene from raiders of the lost ark when that big guy shows his sword skills to indiana jones before the fight and jones just takes out his revolver and kills him.. 🤭🧐😶☠️⚰️

[@hanschouwman4536]

The Arrow in the eye,was considered as An act of God It legitimised William's rule.

[@zoetropo1]

Except there's no contemporary evidence of that event.

[@user-bj3jn1sq7y]

@@zoetropo1 That’s right. The “arrow” embroidery was taken out of the Bayeux Tapestry hundreds of years ago.

[@kimsim4647]

Why weren't my history teachers in highschool as interesting.

[@jaybee9269]

It’s an awfully dramatic story!

[@suryahitam3588]

You were unlucky with your teacher 😊. I recall that we covered the Norman Conquest in class and the homework was to describe the Battle of Hastings. I "reenacted" the battle with my fountain pen as a sword and got ink blots all over my homework. (I was still quite young!)

[@uncbadguy]

The REAL "Game of Thrones"

[@Still_Praising]

War of the roses is more GoT than hastings lol

[@Elleoaqua]

no, Game of Thrones is freaking costume fiction. nothing real about it

[@uncbadguy]

@@Elleoaqua you are right. The story lines came from real people. The one where all the wedding guests are all slaughtered is something that really did happen.

[@offwiththefairiesforever2373]

I love the way he found quite possibly the real king of england in australia

[@zoetropo1]

Parliament is sovereign. It decides who sits on the throne. Has done since William and Mary.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

@@zoetropo1, besides, Michael Plantagenet stated in the interview that he wanted Australia to be a republic and entirely separate from the Commonwealth. In other words, he does not want to be the king of England.

[@paulfilla1008]

"He was exiled for keeping a nun prisoner as a set slave."

[@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712]

A great tapestry had gone wild in Normandy 🐊🐊🦝🦝🐟🐟🐬🐬🐲🐲🀄🀄🐢🐢♾🌲♾

[@garychynne1377]

excellent. thank yew

[@samvogel2368]

How much is enough? Just a little more than I have right now. It seems to most of these kings/ nobles have a bad case of jealousy combined with entitlement. Shame these rulers can't just do what's best for the safety of the nation ( not just it's land, but most important it's people ). It seems every time there is a regime change, the common men,women and children suffer most. Imagine the political and economic strength if William and Harold united?

[@jaybee9269]

It was a wildly different era. Viking raids and such…constant invasions. Also Harold seemed a much more sophisticated man than William. Or Harald Hardrada for that matter.

[@manuelkong10]

in 1066 nothing happened on that spot at all

[@C.E.H.]

nice😄

[@zackhartley4718]

Good doc, but is there no new content? This is a rehash from timeline..

[@johnbrereton5229]

History doesn't have new content, it's just the retelling of the same historical facts.

[@zackhartley4718]

@@johnbrereton5229 It’s not that deep dude.. 😆 The people that created timeline also created this channel they are trying to pass this channel off as something new..

[@maurachapman4179]

Harold was a great man.

[@gj8683]

The true story. Well, it's about time.

[@savantianprince]

Ralf the timid? Really funny name for a leader

[@taylorlibby7642]

Except of course that when the Normans were claimed they weren't French they speaking French at the time.

[@jaybee9269]

Norman French but OK.

[@brooklynnchick]

Are the Normans, Napoleon, and the French bad mouthing English food the only reasons the Brits and French are so tetchy about each other? I am only an American, but if I could live anywhere England and France would be in the top 5. I have rarely met more friendly, kinder, or harder working people. It’s too bad that you guys have such a complex history.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

To be fair in regard to the last sentence in the documentary, Anglo-Saxon royalty had less of a stratified hierarchy than the Norman royalty did. Anglo-Saxon royalty and nobility were first and foremost tribespeople and heads of clans, whereas Norman royalty already viewed itself as above even its own tribes and clans due to the concept of divine appointment.

[@victorlui5955]

Is that the same King Harold from Vikings?

[@ChronicleMedieval]

That's King Harald 😉

[@victorlui5955]

@@ChronicleMedieval did Lagertha sex King Harald in real life? Oh, and is the Bjorn mentioned in the video Bjorn Ironside?

[@virgiljjacas1229]

But ... 🤔🤔🤔 After all ... WHO were those "Saxon"(Sax. One sided blade) and WHOM create those identifiers 🤔🤔🤔

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Except that supposedly was not the real location of the Battle of Hastings..

[@richardtuholsky4028]

Let’s go brandon 🍦🍦🍦

[@cann5565]

I can't tell if this is Tony now or Tony 20 years ago. I just know it's not 30 years ago because of the hair.

[@Melanie220]

Tony 20 years ago, this first aired in 2002 according to IMDb.

[@anitagoodwin4785]

Where my last name come from .cool

[@msmyfavorites1234]

Mine too!

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Possibly, it’s a common name.

[@apersonlikeanyother6895]

If the histories are true Edward the Confessor is the worst King ever.

[@zoetropo1]

Not Edward’s fault that Cnut killed his half-brother Edmund, that Cnut’s son Harold Harefoot killed his brother Alfred, and that Godwin and all Godwin’s sons were treacherous, power-hungry jerks.

[@zoetropo1]

I was too harsh to Gyrth, lumping him in with the worst. He admirably offered to lead the army and risk his life in Harold's stead, so Harold could continue to rally the English in case Gyrth lost the first battle in the south.

[@maurachapman4179]

Oh please

[@sandman8993]

The country has never been right since. 😞

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

Normans were vikings Also

[@elijahhodges4405]

Did Edgar change his mind on his death bed. Or did the "nobility" decide who they wanted.

[@manuelkong10]

there was a Witan who decided who would be king....it wasn't Purely inherited at that time so it was never Harold's to promise to anybody let alone william the bastard

[@elijahhodges4405]

Yes, William's dad had sex with more women. But William married the best woman. He was always with her in love. They had many children.

[@alancoe1002]

Archbishop Stigand said that the old king had lost his wits.

[@elijahhodges4405]

@@alancoe1002 Was the Arch Bishop in cahoots with the royals?

[@alancoe1002]

@@elijahhodges4405with the House of Godwin more than the Saxon royal line. Stigand was an extremely rich man and did not want the Normans to oust him. Edgar the Athling was named king briefly after Edward died, but the Witan went with Harold, realizing they would be needing a warrior-king. He had been virtual vice-king for several years already. They knew William would fight. After Harolds death, Stigand was marginalized, finally died in confinement. He had been excommunicated by five successive popes. That's gotta be a record! Probably an interesting fellow. Started as a chaplain for King Canute.

[@alancoe1002]

Welll, there have been a few improvements since 1066. People amuse themselves by listening to bloviators at Speakers Corner. A few centuries ago, at this same location, say the wrong thing, or pick a pocket(and who hasn't?), and you could find yourself dancing in the air at the end of the public rope, to the vast amusement of perfectly normal people.

[@ednafourie1248]

Interresting Surname! Godwin! God win!!!

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Thrones brutal, wicked, exaggeration in every emotions games....enjoyment surprises historical story

[@tilesetter1953]

Gibberish, nonsense, and grammatically incorrect.

[@road_warrior_1]

My last name is Godwin so you know im scowering the Internet

[@dabici2443]

Story of Harold Harefoot. Facts .Harold Harefoot is 20 years .Harold was crowned 900 years before queen Elizabeth .Harold was the second son of king cnut. .Harthacnut was born 3 years after harald

[@kingquad6677]

RIP King Harold

[@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712]

🌹

[@jozz2248]

The Navy declared Swein "neithing"? Beyond the pale... Seems like this word could return to service.

[@jaybee9269]

Why doesn’t someone make a film about this year? Very dramatic stuff.

[@jonathanbennetts2632]

At 47:56 as Tony is talking about Harold. A white figure walks past the central window in the house behind him. Creeepppyyyy.. LOL.

[@destubae3271]

Legit looked like a ghost sighting.

[@jonathanbennetts2632]

@@destubae3271 Creepy.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

Nonsense, hostages or other prisoners of high status weren’t put in dungeons. Can’t we get documentaries written and presented by historians?

[@Mehitabel18]

You’re talking about the 11th century. And the hostages weren’t royal.

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

The anglo saxons went in 400 this era Because of the vikings and huns

[@unscentednapalm8547]

You 'shoot' an arrow, not 'fire' it.

[@rustyklichowicz4199]

That's quite right. But strangely I still understood exactly what he meant. Tony moves in mysterious ways!

[@beastshawnee]

well a flaming arrow gets fired so...that is way older technology than bullets so...I think we need a language expert to tell us the history of the word...

[@cockleshellzero3893]

Hmm, I thought that the correct term is to "loose" an arrow.

[@jimbochungus]

@@cockleshellzero3893 correct

[@dabici2443]

Story of Harold Harefoot. Facts .Harold Harefoot is 20 years .Harold was crowned 900 years before queen Elizabeth .Harold was the second son of king cnut. .Harthacnut was born 3 years after harald .Harald was called Harefoot because of his s

[@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712]

Anyone strong could be a king in this country 🐲🐲🐬🐬🐟🐟🦝🦝🐊🐊🌏🌏🎯🎯🧿🧿

[@laserbeam002]

Why was tesco surrounded with a wall and razor wire???

[@doctorfoster1968]

fantastic doco...until the very last sentence

[@itseperkele181]

Oh, theres no class divide in britain? I guess it was all a bad dream

[@doctorfoster1968]

@@itseperkele181 It may be a true statement, but it was out of place in this programme. Why does it seem that EVERY show, no matter what the topic, has to have some sort of left-wing perspective shoehorned into it? Tony Robinson's politics are no secret, and he's entitled to his views, but he should keep them out of this kind of doco - in my opinion.

[@itseperkele181]

@@doctorfoster1968 because shts fcked. And seriously, a few lines at the end of a nearly an hour long documentary triggered you? Maybe prageru would be a more safe space for you?

[@SaxonSuccess]

@@doctorfoster1968 I agree with you.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

Unfortunately, many-if not most-subjects of Britain are very liberal, and it therefore would not be seen out of place to have such a sentence in the documentary.

[@karmayt8956]

“In those days the woman was always to blame.” Things haven’t changed.

[@davidbenner2289]

My wife and I trace back to Harold. And William. I guess I can pick up a few titles taken from Andrew?

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Send me £ 20,000 and you can be Duke of York ? ( bank details to follow ). signed Edward Windsor.

[@davidbenner2289]

@@2msvalkyrie529 actually I'm better. I'm an American citizen. We carried on the facade of a dukedom many centuries ago. My father was called "Duke". Some have tried to foist it on me but I "refuse". However, I can accepting the title and all the lands and seas of the Archduchy of Rockall in the Atlantic Ocean. I shall survive on just a tax on the mineral wealth, have a tax free haven for my subjects and send the Queen the customary two cod fish or chicken head, which ever I have on hand at the time. Good thing it is a cod and a slippery dick that Andrew (we just call him "Andy") wanted.

[@tilesetter1953]

I trace back to Romulus and Remus! Yeah, sure...

[@davidbenner2289]

@@tilesetter1953 actually, if you tag onto a royal you can go back far. But, there are various men slipping under the bed covers when the daddy is away. Just recent history, some Democrat presidents real father's and even their daughter. Or certain Canadian prime minister and a Cuban dictator fathering him. Or a royal and his mother's bodyguard. And with blue bloods you could not do genetic testing because of the generational incest. We all go back to Noah, then to Adam.

[@tilesetter1953]

@@davidbenner2289 I wanted to say Adam and Eve, not sure why I didn't 🤭

[@beastshawnee]

There are so many history experts on here. Are ya’ll British? I am an American from the SwMissouri region. Around here everyone knows the USA civil war not so much English history. I know some but am no expert.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

I’m American, but know much more about English history than my own country’s, which is so boring, it’s too modern to be very interesting to me. I was, of course, forced to learn some in high school and college.

[@Allure1337]

Is this podrick?!

[@mattmobily1975]

What is with the gratuitous male butt shot at 43:54? I hope that reenactor was appropriately reimbursed.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

Nudity is not acknowledged as having that much of a private component in Europe. Conversely, people in Europe (especially Indigenous Europeans) recoil at the idea of apparently-uniquely-American violence (including violence in American media).

[@sh0eh0rn4]

it was me. I was the archer.

[@fatnsassy99]

😂😎

[@JamesWylde]

I'm not wasting time to describe all the mid roll ad spam. Blocked and reported. Don't waste time here

[@larkinwalton4360]

St Harold, the last Orthodox King of England, pray for us.

[@cct7558]

How? He’s dead.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

@@cct7558, both Roman and Byzantine (Greek Orthodox) Catholics believe that deceased saints can intercede on behalf of people on Earth.

[@cct7558]

@@NicoleCzarnecki Well, they are wrong.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

@@cct7558 , I know. I don’t know if it comes from co-opting Jewish and gentile saints to combine with Roman gods, somehow asking scholars (soferim) and rabbis (rabanim) whom are supposedly in Heaven to intercede with God (as some Charedi Jews do go this far), or a combination of both.

[@michaelrowsell1160]

William would have lost to the Vikings .

[@hughiepearce]

of course Harold also invented the parlour game of I-spy...his first attempt...I-spy with my little eye...something beginning with...A

[@tackyman2011]

He protec He attac But he no drive de Norman bac

[@Erin-bt7re]

The razor wire of Tesco’s 🤣 😂

[@flydye45]

This does not jib with the histories I read where Edward was the puppet ruler of the Godwins and mightily resented that fact. They also elided that Godwin was a quisling for the Danish invaders, and that Godwin, pay attention here, captured Edward's brother Alfred and gave him to Edward's rival for kingship who blinded him which lead to Alfred's death. Godwin and his family choose the invaders over Edward. That and they murdered a lot of families to get their land. THIS is the family that Edward was supposedly 'unfair and disloyal' to. They then forced him to marry one of their family. The same people who KILLED HIS BROTHER and threatened him...yeah... Beware historians.

[@michaelcampin1464]

Swore on holy relics....... more likely a load of old blarney. If we believe the amount of wood from the Cross of Christ it must have been about 500 feet high and about 100 feet wide

[@Orphen42O]

As long as Edward believed the relics were genuine, it did not matter if the relics were real or not.

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

The vikings were fighting in uk

[@I_report_scammers_spammers]

Looks like Tony has lost some weight...

[@taylorlibby7642]

Swanneck - seems a bit on-the-nose😂

[@elijahhodges4405]

The Usurper "king" was not the last Saxon king. Well, if you discount the mothers line completely then sure the usurper Harold Godwinson was unique. His father was a pain in the ass to Edgar Ætheling. He would never have appointed Harold as his successor. Instead he went with his nephew William. Keeping it real Matilda of Flanders the spouse of William, was descended from both Alfred the Great and Charlemagne. So, no Godwinson would not have been the last "Saxon" king the offspring of Matilda of Flanders would take that right.

[@elijahhodges4405]

Saxons was a name invented by Bede. Bede had a purpose when he wrote his "history". The only invasions ever were the Norse. If you go back to the land bridge before 8,400 BC you may bet plenty of West Europeans arrived and if they knew to escape to the high lands when the ice melted then they too survived. Not only Noah but many who found the high lands in the Americas, and in Asia. Saxons were the people created by the Romans when they spent 400 years on the islands. They added their DNA, but mostly they brought in Europeans who joined the Army for the pay, and to survive. No Saxons just the changed DNA of the people who were there all those thousands of years before.

[@kublaicarl4818]

You are a lunatic.

[@elijahhodges4405]

Imagine how much better England would have done if they welcomed William instead of putting Harold on the throne.

[@alancoe1002]

Live by the choice of the Witan, die by the choice of the Witan.

[@jaybee9269]

@@alancoe1002 >> I do love historical jokes!

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

Did Edward even know that Harold, albe against his own will, made a pact with William to put him on the throne?

[@elijahhodges4405]

@@NicoleCzarnecki Edward decided on William. Herald was a userper, his father was a pain in the ass to Edward. Herald hanging around Edward should have caused Edward to arrest him.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

@@elijahhodges4405 , how did Edward decide on William if he clearly made known his wish that Harald was to be his heir?

[@hammondOT]

I'm burned out on Tony Robinson.

[@aphexon.]

There is no O in Harald.

[@MosDefnIT88]

Who are you talking about exactly? Harald Hardrada or Harold Godwinson? The former? Your correct. The latter? There is most definitely an O in Harold.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

England is strange; this disastrously weak and ineffective king, whose defects led to the complete takeover by a foreign power, was canonized (Edward promised the throne to a half-dozen different men) and rock musicians and TV personalities are knighted for making lots of shows. Weird.

[@samiam619]

I would agree about knighting rock musicians and tv people.

[@NicoleCzarnecki]

@@samiam619, unfortunately, the British monarchy gave into the pressures of celebrity culture in that sense.

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

They were ax people The anglo saxons

[@veronicalogotheti5416]

They were attaqued by vikings and later huns

[@maurachapman4179]

That's your kng

[@erifretrats378]

oh yeah, my family name and I have been on this rock longer than most others ever have been. i.e. for thousands of years, not ten or twenty or even a hundred............ history... always written by the winners, and most of it is always lies as well

[@niallturnbull2007]

This is just a copy of a timeline episode from years ago...

[@camilobautista46]

Really ? I wasn't sure

[@niallturnbull2007]

Yup just look up King Harold documentary and it'll be there

[@matthewwillis5242]

Timeline and Chronicle are part of the same organization (checkout the Channel tab to see all of the channels they run). They upload documentaries from different sources. I believe this one was part of a BBC2 series in 2001.

[@niallturnbull2007]

Yeah but annoying as hell that there isn't original content