15th century image on the Croyland Abbey, which is supposed to propose that Waltheof II
Waltheof II of Northumbria (ca. 1050 - Winchester, May 31, 1076) was the last Anglo-Saxon earl.
Waltheof was the son of Siward of Northumbria and Aelfled. At the death of his father he was too young to follow him, so Tostig Godwinson was appointed in his place. When King Harold II of England Tasted Mortgages in 1065, Waltheof was appointed Earl of Huntingdon. He fought in the battle at Stamford Bridge, where Tostig was defeated with an army of Flemish mercenaries and Norwegian allies. Also, Waltheof would have fought in battle at Hastings and by escaping flight to death.
Shortly after the battle with Hastings, still in 1066, Waltheof reached an agreement with Willem de Veroveraar, and he retained his position as earl. However, in 1069, Waltheof supported a Danish army that robbed York. Again it came to a reconciliation between Waltheof and Willem. Waltheof bought the Danes, who returned home, and married Willem's niece Judith van Lens, daughter of Lambertus of Boulogne and Normandy of Normandy (1026 - 1090). In 1072 he wiped out his cousin Gospatrick and acquired his job of Earl of Northumbria. In 1074, Waltheof killed the family with which his in-laws had a bloodstream for generations who had killed his father-in-law. In 1074 he participated in a conspiracy against Willem with some Norman earls. Waltheof came to repentance, Willem told the conspiracy and asked for mercy. But Waltheof had already consumed his favors at Willem and was sentenced to death. After a year's captivity he was beheaded in Winchester. His body was thrown into a pit but later buried in Croyland Abbey. From 1092, his grave was temporarily a perlgrimsoord because there would be miraculous healings, especially of the blind.
Waltheof and Judith had the following children:
Judith gave testimony to Waltheof during the process in 1075. They founded the Elstow abbey and several churches. As a widow engaged Simon with Senlis but she fled to not get married. As a punishment, Willem de Veroveraar took all her belongings. Simon would marry her daughter Maud. Sources
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