Offspring
Harold may have had a wife, Ælfgifu and a son, Ælfwine, who became a monk on the continent when he was older. His monastic name was Alboin. Ælfwine/Alboin is recorded in 1060 and 1062 in charters from the St. Foy Abbey Church in Conques. The charters mention him as son of "Heroldus rex fuit Anglorum" (Latin: Harold, who was king of the English People). Harold Harefoot is the most likely father. The only other king Harold was Harold Godwinson, who would not rise to the throne until 1066. Either way, an underage boy would be unable to claim the throne in 1040. His possible hereditary claims would not be enough to gain the support of the leading nobles, against the adult Harthacnut.
Ælfgifu of Northampton disappears with no trace after 1040. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Harold Harefoot ruled for four years and 16 weeks, by which calculation he would have begun ruling two weeks after the death of Cnut.
Read more about this topic: Harold Harefoot
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