Gyrth Godwinson

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Gyrth Godwinson was the fourth son of Godwin, and so a younger brother of Harold II of England. He went with his eldest brother Swein into exile to Flanders in 1051. After the death of his father in 1053 he was made an earl. According to Orderic Vitalis and William of Malmesbury, he tried (ineffectually) to prevent Harold from engaging William of Normandy in battle, saying that he instead could lead the English forces and urging his brother not to break the oath which had sworn to William confirming the latter's succession. Harold, however, ignored Gyrth's advice. Gyrth fought at and was killed in the Battle of Hastings.

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