Because Edward's mother Emma had also been married to Danish conqueror of England Canute, Edward the Confessor was half-brother to Edmund II Ironside (briefly king of England before Canute) through their father, and half-brother to Hardicanute, one of Canute's sons who ruled England, though their mother. Edward came to the throne of England on Hardicanute's death. Emma was the daughter of the duke of Normandy, so Edward promised the throne of England to William of Normandy his great-nephew (not Edward's own grandson; although Edward was married to Harold Godwinsson's sister Edith, the marriage was never consummated because Edward had taken a vow of chastity) at one point when he was displeased with Godwin and Harold, and William took this promise seriously.