Harold Harefoot

Harold I, called Harefoot (c. 1016–1040), was a son of Cnut the Great. When Cnut died in 1035 he became regent for his half-brother Harthacnut, detained in Denmark, ruling north of the Thames. In 1036 the returning ætheling Alfred was seized, blinded and killed by Harold's followers.

Harold was proclaimed king at Oxford in 1037, and Queen Emma was exiled to Flanders. He died at Oxford on 17 March 1040; Harthacnut succeeded him and had his body dug up and thrown into a fen.