What was the name of Harold Godwinson's mother?

Harold Godwinson’s mother was Gytha Thorkelsdóttir. She was the wife of Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and came from a prominent Danish family.

Gytha’s brother was Ulf Thorgilsson, who married Estrid Svendsdatter, sister of Cnut the Great. This connection linked the Godwin family to the Danish royal dynasty and helped explain its influence in eleventh-century England.

Gytha and Godwin had a large family, including Harold, Tostig, Gyrth, Leofwine, Wulfnoth and Edith of Wessex. Harold became king in January 1066 but was killed at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October.

Her name also appears as Githa or Gytha Thorkelsdóttir. She is sometimes confused with Edith the Fair, who was Harold’s long-term consort, not his mother. Gytha survived the Norman Conquest and is associated with the resistance at Exeter in 1067.