I would recommend Mercedes Rochelle’s post here http://mercedesrochelle.com/wordpress/?p=719 : a discussion of Harold II’s possible remains.

Just to emphasise a few points:
1) “forensic evidence in the 1950s was not exacting” – it wasn’t in the 1930s either, as we know.
2) Richard III is unquestionably the template for such cases. First, find your location. Then find a mtDNA or Y-chromosome comparator, preferably one who is still alive (but a mixed line will not do). Then find permission to dig and compare the DNA sample. Consider the height, age, approximate year of death, dietary evidence and wounds.
3) Harold was Richard III’s ancestor, via Russia and France. Both were experienced and successful commanders who had reigned for a short time having been chosen (by the Witangemot or Parliament) after a longer reign by an Edward who had reclaimed the Crown. Harold had won battles in Wales in 1064 just as Richard’s 1482 campaign in Scotland was a success. Both were defeated by French invasions led by challengers with no valid claim.

The best of luck to anyone identifying Harold II, or Alfred, particularly with the DNA comparison.


Subscribe to my newsletter

8 responses to “On Harold II and others”

  1. mercedesrochelle Avatar
    mercedesrochelle

    interesting comparisons!

    Like

    1. Thankyou – I have had those points in mind for a while.

      Like

  2. […] the cue extension known as a “swan-neck” must surely have been named after Harold II’s wife. Another piece of apparatus is the spider, obviously named after Louis […]

    Like

  3. […] did you know that he is also directly descended from William’s enemy, Harold Godwinson, also Harold II, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England and Richard’s twelve times great grandfather? This time […]

    Like

  4. […] Harold II, whose informal wife (in more Danico) was Edith Swan-Neck (left). […]

    Like

  5. […] a link  a link that lists the royal coronations at the abbey. It has been pointed out to me that King Harold has been omitted. But it seems there’s no proof that he was crowned there, it’s only thought he […]

    Like

  6. […] details the final resting place of every English and then British monarch since 1066, although Harold II (probably Waltham Abbey) is omitted. Note from the interactive map that there are four (plus the […]

    Like

  7. […] have done with a little more 1603-1820 coverage, a map of the old principalities and a mention of Harold Godwinson‘s victories in […]

    Like

Leave a comment