Earl Aelfgar

Who was Earl Aelfgar?

In the 1050s and 1060s Aelfgar challenged the Godwin family by allying with the Welsh.

How did the Godwins respond to Aelfgar?

The Godwin family responded to the challenge from Aelfgar and Wales by eventually raising and leading armies to stop the threat.

• ❖ In the 1050s, Aelfgar was exiled twice, and returned to fight with the Welsh king, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, against the Godwins.
• ❖ When Aelfgar died in 1062, the Godwins acted to stop the threat from Wales.
• ❖ They led a surprise attack on Gruffudd, although he managed to escape.
• ❖ Harold and Tostig then led their armies in a double attack, with Harold sailing around South Wales while Tostig marched into north Wales.
• ❖ Gruffudd was killed, and his head was sent to King Edward.
• ❖ Harold appointed a new puppet king in Wales, whom he could control.