King Harold II was the final Anglo-Saxon king of England who ruled from January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. Synonyms for King Harold II could include "Harold Godwinson," which was his full name, "Harold the Saxon," "Harold II of England," or "last of the Anglo-Saxon kings." He ascended the throne after the death of King Edward the Confessor and fought fiercely to hold onto his kingdom against the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror. Despite his valiant efforts, however, the Battle of Hastings marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England and initiated a period of Norman dominance.