Attitudes towards Harold and towards the English

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (C/D 140) calls Earl Harold ‘noble’ and ‘loyal’, and presents overall a positive view of him, displaying enthusiasm regarding Harold's victory at Stamford Bridge. The only other chronicle in which Harold is clearly depicted in a favourable light is John of Worcester. Here it is recounted that Harold had the full support of the nobles to be king. Harold is praised for establishing just laws, becoming the patron of churches and monasteries, showing himself affable to good men, punishing wrong-doers, and defending his country (II, 601). In the battle against William, Harold is praised for his valour, before he finally succumbs: ‘when very many had fallen on both sides, he himself fell, alas, at dusk’ (II, 605). Williams considers that John's benevolent views towards Harold were presumably those of his companions at Worcester, where Harold was regarded as a friend and benefactor.

Other chroniclers too display some positive attitudes towards Harold. Eadmer shows sympathy towards Harold, as he feels that Harold was tricked by William into an oath to support William's claim to the kingship of England (7). William of Malmesbury says that had Harold ruled the kingdom, he would probably have been a good king due to his qualities of fortitude and valour, and at the Battle of Hastings, both Harold and William are said to have shown much bravery, but Harold was outwitted by William's cunning (421, 455).