By the middle of the eleventh century, Earl Godwine might have seemed
pretty much at the height of his power. His daughter was married to
King Edward, Godwine himself held the most important Earldom in England
and his second son Harold was Earl of East Anglia. He had more
strapping sons awaiting their turn for the next vacant earldoms.
But on closer inspection, things were not quite right. By 1051, it
was apparent that Queen Edith was not likely to give birth to an heir,
thus reducing her own and Godwine’s influence. Swegn,
Godwine’s eldest son, had shamed the family by his outrageous behavior,
then committed the heinous crime of murdering his own cousin. And to
make matters worse, King Edward was surrounding himself with powerful
Norman allies and churchmen, culminating in appointing Robert of
Jumieges as Archbishop of Canterbury against Godwine’s and the local
monks’ approved choice. Archbishop Robert immediately began poisoning
Edward’s mind against Godwine, especially bringing up the old question
about Alfred‘s fate and Godwine’s alleged role in the tragedy concerning the King’s brother.
Things came to a head when Eustace, Count of Boulogne, visited King
Edward in September, 1051. On his return trip, he and his men attempted
to force the residents of Dover to give them lodging in their homes,
just as they were used to in their native country. The stout Dover
townsmen resisted, one was killed in his home, a Frenchman was killed in
return, and the intruders mounted their steeds and plunged through the
town, slashing and maiming whoever got in their way. The townspeople
resisted, turning the incident into a full-fledged skirmish, and when
all was done twenty English and nineteen Frenchmen lay dead on the
streets.
Eustace turned around at full gallop and took his remaining men back
to King Edward at Gloucester, demanding justice. Enraged, the King
summoned Earl Godwine and insisted that he immediately chastise the
offending town with fire and sword. This was putting the king above the
law, and Godwine refused, insisting on a full trial. Then, having had
his say, he retreated to his estate, leaving the King securely in the
hands of the Normans. It didn’t take long before Godwine’s refusal to
obey the King was construed as traitorous.
One thing led to another, and by the end of the month the tide was
turning against Godwine. Edward summoned the other great earls of the
land to support him against Godwine’s family; ultimately the
King commanded Godwine and Harold to appear and answer charges. Godwine
only agreed to do so if the King issued a safe-conduct. Edward
refused.
Godwine knew there was no hope for his cause, at least for the
moment. He had apparently been preparing for such an eventuality,
because much of his treasure had already been loaded on a ship, and he
quickly left the country along with most of his family. Their
destination was Flanders, a common refuge for English exiles and home
Count Baldwin, brother of Tostig’s new bride. On a different ship,
Harold and his younger brother Leofwine took sail for Ireland, where
they were well-received by Dermot, King of Dublin and Leinster.
Poor Queen Edith, caught between father and husband, was quickly
trundled off to a convent and deprived of all her goods, real and
personal. Did Edward think this was going to be permanent? Elated at
his successful coup, apparently he wanted to make the most of it. But
his freedom from Godwine was destined not to last.
