General Notes

Harold I (of England), called Harold Harefoot (died 1040), king of England
(1037-40), illegitimate son of Canute II, king of Denmark, Norway, and
England. On his father's death in 1035, Harold claimed the English crown,
despite Canute's designation of Hardecanute, Harold's legitimate half brother,
as the successor. The English witenagemot (royal council) settled the rival
claims by giving Mercia and Northumbria to Harold, and Wessex to Hardecanute.
Hardecanute remained in Denmark, however, and Wessex gave its allegiance to
Harold, who became king of all England in 1037. His reign was oppressive and
was marked by continual struggle with Hardecanute.