Edward had until the mid-1050s been able to structure his earldoms so as to prevent the Godwins becoming dominant.

Godwin himself died in 1053 and although Harold succeeded to his earldom of Wessex, none of his other brothers were earls at this date.

His house was then weaker than it had been since Edward's succession, but a succession of deaths in 1055–57 has completely changed the picture.

Siward had died in 1055 but his son was considered too young to command Northumbria, and Harold's brother, Tostig, had been appointed.

Leofric of Mercia and Ralph the Timid both die in 1057, and Leofric's son Ælfgar succeeds as Earl of Mercia, while Harold's brother Gyrth succeeds Ælfgar as Earl of East Anglia.

The fourth surviving Godwin brother, Leofwine, is given an earldom in the southeast, carved out of Harold's territory, and Harold receives Ralph's territory in compensation.

The Godwin brothers by 1057 thus control all of England subordinately apart from Mercia.

It is not known whether Edward approved of this transformation or whether he had to accept it, but from this time he seems to have begun to withdraw from active politics, devoting himself to hunting, which he pursues each day after attending church.

After Edward ordered the assassination of the south Welsh prince Rhys ap Rhydderch in 1053 in reprisal for a raid on England, Rhys's head had been delivered to him.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn had in 1053 established himself as the ruler of all Wales, and had allied himself with Ælfgar of Mercia, who had been outlawed for treason.

They had defeated Earl Ralph at Hereford, and Harold had had to collect forces from nearly all of England to drive the invaders back into Wales.

Peace is concluded with the reinstatement of Ælfgar, who in 1057 is able to succeed as Earl of Mercia on his father's death.

Gruffydd swears an oath to be a faithful under-king of Edward.