Remarks:
1st Earl of Huntingdon, Northampton, and Northumberland. At his fatherÕs death, he was too young to have the earldoms, which were bestowed on Tostig, younger son of Godwin, earl of Wessex, and a favorite of the King. He became earl of Huntingdon and Northampton when Tostig was banished in October, 1065. He is not known to have opposed the Conqueror in 1066, but was taken to Normandy the following year. In 1069 he joined the Danes in their descent on Yorkshire, distinguishing himself in the attack on the city of York. When the Danes left England he submitted himself to William in January, 1070, and was restored to his earldom, and to his fatherÕs earldom of Northumberland in 1072. In the spring and summer of 1075, the earls of Norfolk, Ralph de Gael; and Hereford, Roger, son of William FitzOsbern; were conspiring to seize England for themselves, and they enticed Waltheof to join in when he attended the wedding of Ralph de Gael at Exning. He quickly changed his mind, and reconciled with the King (William the Conqueror), who seemed to treat the matter lightly. However, at Christmas, 1075, Waltheof was brought to trial, his wife, who was the Conqueror's niece, being a witness against him. When the trial resumed in May, Waltheof was found guilty and beheaded on St. Giles's Hill (possibly in Winchester, which is where he was tried) on May 31, 1076. Waltheof and Judith had no sons and two known daughters: Maud, who married first Simon de St. Liz (Senlis), and second David I, King of Scotland; and Judith or Alice, who married Ralph de Toeni the younger. There may have been a third daughter who married a Robert, son of Richard, but this may be a confusion with a daughter of Maud and Simon. Waltheof was hastily buried after his execution, but a fortnight later the Abbot Ulfketel, at JudithÕs request and by the KingÕs permission, removed his body to Crowland. Many miracles are recorded, for he was regarded by many as a saint. Epitaphs describe him as strong in persona nd of great repute as a warrior, pous, had learnt the psalter in his youth, was liberal to the clergy and the poor. The chief stain on his memory is his part in a family blood feud, for he ordered the murder of the sons of one Carl, who had killed earl Ealdred, WaltheofÕs grandfather.