The administration remained really in the hands of Godwine himself, and of the Danish or Danicised aristocracy.

But Mercia and Northumbria still stood apart from Wessex, and once procured the exile of Godwine himself.

The great earl returned, however, and at his death passed on his power to his son Harold, a Danicised Englishman of great rough ability, such as suited the hard times on which he was cast.
Harold employed the lifetime of Eadward, who was childless, in preparing for his own succession.

The king died in 1066, and Harold was quietly chosen at once by the witan.

He was the last Englishman who ever sat upon the throne of England.
The remaining story belongs chiefly to the annals of Norman Britain.
Harold was assailed at once from either side.