Harold IV of Denmark (The Danish North Sea)

Harold Godwinson remains a controversial figure in English and Danish history. This English nobleman was appointed to be the heir to the thrones of Denmark and England in 1065 by King Canute (Harthacnut), but Harold had no claim to both thrones. He was opposed by Sweyn Estridsson, Canute's cousin and grandson of King Sweyn I of Denmark, and Duke William II of Normandy. William was the grandson of Duke Richard II of Normandy, the maternal uncle of King Edward III of Wessex.

When Harold came to the thrones of Denmark and England, he knew that he was in danger. In the autumn of 1066, William landed in southern England. Harold and his army defeated the Normans and William was forced to retreat, but the Norman Duke refused to give up.

In 1068, King Harold placed a high tax on nobles in Denmark and England, causing resentment and forced the Danish nobles to revolt. Leading the rebellion in Denmark is Sweyn Estridsson, who wants to ensure his claim to the throne. Harold and his army were forced to sail to Jutland in order to suppress the rebellion, but Harold's forces faced defeats by Estridsson's rebel army. Estridsson would gain the upper hand when Harold learned that William landed on southern England, forcing the King to return to England with half of his troops.

With Godwinson's forces strecthed thin, King Harold would be killed by a assassin of Duke William in November of 1069. William and Estridsson agreed to divide the empire built by King Canute II, but hostilities resumed in 1096 between King Henry I of England and King Eric I of Denmark.