From Personal Confrontations to National Conflicts: The Godwine Clan and the Kings of Wessex

The article examines historical records from 1035–1036, 1051–1052 and 1063–1066 in chronicle, documentary and hagiographic texts from the 11th–12th centuries, detailing the disputes and conflicts between Earl Godwine (and his sons) and the kings of Wessex: Harald Harefoot, Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor. The author attempts to interpret the discrepancies in the narratives of these conflicts as stemming from the chronology of the sources (the manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Encomium Emmae Reginae, Vita Ædwardi Regis, Chronicon ex Chronicis by John of Worcester, Gesta Normannorum Ducum by William of Jumièges, L’Estoire des Engleis by Geoffrey Gaimar, Gesta Willelmi ducis Normannorum et regis Anglorum by William of Poitiers), place of their creation, interests of their sponsors and compilers, which reflect opposing perspectives on the conflict participants The article highlights the differences in the political strategies employed by Godwine and his sons for managing and instigating conflicts. While Godwine sought various methods for reaching compromises, including counter-accusations, generous gifts, negotiations, oaths, and marriage alliances, his sons incited the Northumbrian rebellion, ignited civil wars, engaged Norwegian troops and facilitated the Norman invasion.