Harold IV

Harold IV (SE 409-422) was Deputy of England from SE 418 to 422. Harold was the only surviving son of Deputy Aethelred II and Gretchen of Wessex at the time of Aethelred's death in 417. As the principle of primogeniture was not solidly established in England at the time, the Council of Nobles debated for several months before choosing Harold as Deputy. Since Harold was only nine at the time of his elevation to the deputyship, a regency council headed by Derrick of Northumbria was appointed.

Harold spent the next three years and eight months living at Derrick's estate outside the city of Whitby. On the morning of June 23, 422 Harold was boating off the coast of Whitby along with several other sons of the nobility, including two of Derrick's sons. Harold fell (or was pushed) overboard, and his body washed up on shore three days later. Derrick attempted to claim the deputyship for himself, but the Council of Nobles refused, choosing instead an elderly cousin of Harold's named Ragnar of Bath.

Harold was buried in his father's mausoleum in York.