Later in 1052 Godwin's son Sweyn died on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and it was probably at this stage that Ralph was given Sweyn's earldom of Hereford, which included Oxfordshire.
Kemudian pada tahun 1052 putra Godwin, Sweyn meninggal saat berziarah ke Yerusalem, dan mungkin pada tahap inilah Ralf diberi wilayah earl Sweyn di Hereford, yang termasuk Oxfordshire.