Following the death of his father in April 1053, the Godwinsons managed to retain their hold on England. Harold inherited the
Earldom of Wessex and became second in power only to the
king. Gyrth was made
Earl of East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire some time between 1055 and 1057. Together with his brother
Leofwine's made
Earl of Kent,
Essex,
Middlesex,
Hertford,
Surrey and probably
Buckinghamshire the Godwinsons now controlled the entirety of East England. According to
Orderic Vitalis and
William of Malmesbury, Gyrth tried (ineffectually) to prevent Harold from engaging
William of Normandy in battle, saying that he instead could lead the English forces and that he must stay in London to lead another battle and reminding him of the oath which he had sworn to William. Harold, however, ignored Gyrth's advice. Gyrth fought at and was killed in the
Battle of Hastings alongside his brothers Harold and Leofwine. ==Citations==