Editing Earl (section)

==== Edward the Confessor ====
During the reign of [[Edward the Confessor]] (1042–1066), the earls were still royal officers governing their earldoms in the king's name. However, they were developing more autonomy and becoming a threat to royal power.{{Sfn|Green|2017|p=168}}{{Sfn|Lyon|1980|p=63}} Three great aristocratic families had emerged: the [[House of Godwin|Godwins]] of Wessex, [[Leofric of Mercia]], and [[Siward of Northumbria]].{{Sfn|Loyn|1984|p=133}} 

In theory, earls could be removed by the king. Edward deliberately broke the hereditary succession to Northumbria when Earl Siward died in 1055. He ignored the claims of Siward's son, [[Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria|Waltheof]], and appointed [[Tostig Godwinson]] as earl.{{Sfn|Powell|Wallis|1968|p=7}} The earldom of East Anglia appears to have been used as a training ground for new earls. Nevertheless, the earldoms of Wessex and Mercia were becoming hereditary.{{Sfn|Green|2017|p=168}} For four generations, Mercia was passed from father to son: [[Leofwine, Ealdorman of the Hwicce|Leofwine]], [[Leofric, Earl of Mercia|Leofric]], [[Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia|Ælfgar]], and [[Edwin, Earl of Mercia|Edwin]].{{Sfn|Powell|Wallis|1968|p=7}} 

To reward Godwin for his support, Edward made his eldest son, [[Sweyn Godwinson|Sweyn]], an earl in 1043.{{NoteTag|Sweyn's earldom was probably located in the south-west [[Midlands]] in the shires of Somerset, Hereford, Gloucester, Oxford, and Berkshire.{{Sfn|Barlow|1997|p=91}}}} [[Harold Godwinson|Harold]], Godwin's second oldest son, was made the earl of East Anglia. In 1045, an earldom was created for Godwin's nephew, [[Beorn Estrithson]]. After Sweyn left England in disgrace in 1047, some of his estates were taken over by Harold and Beorn. [[Ralf of Mantes]], Edward's Norman nephew, was made [[earl of Hereford]], a territory formerly part of Sweyn's earldom.{{Sfn|Barlow|1997|pp=74 & 89–91, 93–94}} 

In 1053, Harold succeeded his father, and Ælfgar, son of Earl Leofric, became earl of East Anglia. A major reshuffle occurred after both Leofric and Ralf died in 1057. Ælfgar succeeded his father in Mercia, and [[Gyrth Godwinson]] took East Anglia. An earldom was created for [[Leofwine Godwinson]] out of the south-eastern shires belonging to Harold. In exchange, Harold received Ralf's earldom.{{Sfn|Barlow|1997|pp=127 & 197}} 

In 1065, a rebellion deposed Tostig and recognised [[Morcar]], the brother of Earl Edwin of Mercia, as Northumbria's new earl. The king accepted this, and Tostig was expelled from England.{{Sfn|Barlow|1997|p=237}}

In 1066, according to the [[Domesday Book]], the Godwin family estates were valued at £7,000, Earl Leofric of Mercia at £2,400, and Earl Siward of Northumbria at £350. In comparison, the king's lands were valued at £5,000. This concentration of land and wealth in the hands of the earls, and one family in particular, weakened the Crown's authority. The situation was reversed when Harold Godwinson became king, and he was able to restore the Crown's authority.{{Sfn|Huscroft|2016|pp=20 & 23}}