Godwine and Edmund, invaded England in 1068 and 1069 with the aid of Diarmait mac Máel na mBó (High King of Ireland) but were defeated at the Battle of Northam. In 1068, Diarmait presented another Irish king with Harold's battle standard. Marriages and children For some twenty years Harold was married more danico (Latin: "in the Danish manner") to Edith the Fair (also known as Edith Swanneck) and had at least six children with her. She was considered Harold's mistress by the clergy. According to Orderic Vitalis, Harold was at some time betrothed to Adeliza, a daughter of William the Conqueror; if so, the betrothal never led to marriage. About January 1066, Harold married Edith (or Ealdgyth), daughter of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia, and widow of the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. She had one son, named Harold, probably born posthumously. Another of Harold's sons, Ulf, may have been a twin of the younger Harold, though most historians consider him a son of Edith the Fair. Both these sons survived into adulthood and probably lived out their lives in exile. After her husband's death, Edith fled for refuge to her brothers, Edwin, Earl of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria, but both men made their peace with King William initially before rebelling and losing their lands and lives. Edith may have fled abroad (possibly with Harold's mother, Gytha, or with Harold's daughter, Gytha). Harold's sons, Godwin and Edmund, fled to Ireland and then invaded Devon, but were defeated by Brian of Brittany. Family tree References Notes Citations Sources William of Poitiers, Gesta Guillelmi II Ducis Normannorum, or "The Deeds of William II, Duke of the Normans". Quoted by David C. Douglas & George W. Greenaway (eds.), in: English Historical Documents 1042–1189, London, 1959. Further reading External links BBC Historic Figures: Harold II (Godwineson) (c. 1020–1066) |- |- 1020s births 1066 deaths Year of birth uncertain 11th-century English monarchs Anglo-Norse monarchs Anglo-Saxon people Anglo-Saxon warriors Anglo-Saxons killed in battle Deaths by arrow wounds Earls of East Anglia Earls of Herefordshire Earls of Wessex English people of Danish descent English Roman Catholics House of Godwin Monarchs killed in action Monarchs of England before 1066 Norman conquest of England People from Bosham