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1050
 A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Robert of Jumieges becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
Edward appointed the French abbot Robert of Jumieges to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.
See Also
See of Devon and Cornwall moved to Exeter
The See of Devon and Cornwall had been located at Crediton in Devon but in 1050 Edward the Confessor moved the See to Exeter. This moved the cathedral from an obscure location to a more important one. Edward gave the new Bishopric to Leofric.
See Also
Sweyn pardoned
Sweyn Godwineson was pardoned and allowed to return to England.
See Also
Macbeth visits Rome
Macbeth took time to travel to Rome on a pilgrimage. Reports of his visit tell of him distributing large amounts of money.
See Also
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1051
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Edward expels the Godwine family
An incident occurred when Eustace II Count of Boulogne visited Edward the Confessor, his brother-in-law. The incident occurred in Dover where a fight broke out between the Norman visitors and the locals. Several people were killed. The area of Dover was under the control of the Godwine family and Edward the Confessor, who blamed the people of Dover for the fight, told Godwine to deal with them. Godwine refused to obey Edward's order and in response Edward raised an army and forced the Godwine family into exile.
See Also
Edward abolishes military tax
The unpopular military tax was abolished by Edward the Confessor. It had been collected for many years to provide funds for defending the country from raiders.
See Also
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1052
A-S C
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Mar
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Death of Queen Emma
Queen Emma died at Winchester.1
See Also
May
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Godwines invade England
Godwine, Earl of Wessex, his son Harold and a large fleet sailed up the Thames to London forcing Edward to reinstate them into their previous positions of power.
See Also
Summer
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Stigand becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
Stigand, Bishop of Winchester, mediated between the Godwines and Edward the Confessor. The Norman Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert of Jumieges, fled the country with other bishops who had been appointed by Edward. Stigand assumed the title of Archbishop of Canterbury. Robert appealed to Leo IX and Stigand was excommunicated (repeated by Victor II & Stephen IX, repealed by Benedict X, reintroduced by Nicholas II and Alexander II).
See Also
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1053
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Edward the Exile invited to England
Harold Godwinson invited the exiled Edward the Exile back to England in the hope that he could claim the English throne from Edward the Confessor.
See Also
William marries Matilda
In spite of objections from Pope Leo, William married Matilda, the daughter of Baldwin V, Earl of Flanders.
See Also
Apr
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Harold becomes Earl of Wessex
Godwine, Earl of Wessex, died and Harold inherited his title.
See Also
Dec 21
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Strong winds
Extremely strong winds destroyed churches and buildings.2
See Also
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1054
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Battle of Mortemer
Battle fought between Henry, the King of France, and William, the Duke of Normandy. Henry wanted to take control of the Normandy area which was preventing the French access to the English Channel. The Normans defeated the French. 3
See Also
The Great East-West schism
Although the split between the East and West Churches can not easily be put down to one event, the conflict caused in 1054 between Pope Loe IX and the patriarch of Constantinople is often thought, rightly or wrongly, as the key moment. Pope Leo IX sent a delegation to Constantinople to discuss differences which resulted in the excommunication of the patriarch by the delegation and in return the excommunication of the delegation by the patriarch. 4
See Also
Jul
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The Crab Nebula seen
The supernova that occurred in this year formed the Crab Nebula and the event was recorded by astronomers in China. The explosion was so great that the supernova would have been visible during the daytime. Due to the huge distances involved, the explosion would have happened thousands of years earlier but the light from the event only reached Earth in 1054.
See Also
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1055
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Rebellion of Aelgar of Mercia
Aelfgar, earl Mercia was outlawed by the witan. He built a force and allied himself with Welsh Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. They raided Hereford and eventually came to terms with Harold. Aelfgar was later restored. 1
See Also
Seljuk Turks capture Baghdad
The tribe of Tatars known also as the Seljuk Turks invaded parts of Persia and captured the city of Baghdad starting a Suljuk empire.
Victor II becomes Pope
(More...)
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1056
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Hereford cathedral burnt
A force of Welsh and Irish men led by Griffith, a Welsh prince attacked and burnt the building.
See Also
Bishop of Hereford
Death of Athelstan, bishop of Hereford; succeeded by Leofgar, who tried to take reprisals against Gruffydd, the Welsh Prince. 1
See Also
Death of Leofgar, bishop of Hereford
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed Leofgar, bishop of Hereford and others near Glasbury on Wye; English militia called out against Gruffydd but a settlement reached. 1
See Also
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1057
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Edward (the Exile) dies
Edward the Exile died in mysterious circumstances. Edward was the rightful heir the throne of England and Harold, Earl of Wessex benefited from Edward's death.
See Also
The Battle of Varaville
Another battle fought between Henry, the King of France, and William, the Duke of Normandy. Again the Normans defeated the French King's army. 3
See Also
Sweyn II Estridsen becomes King of Denmark
(More...)
Stephen IX (or X) becomes Pope
(More...)
Aug
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Macbeth is killed and Lulach becomes king
Macbeth was killed by Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore) who later became the King of Scotland. Macbeth was succeeded by his stepson Lulach who was crowned at Scone.
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1058
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Gloucester Cathedral rebuilding starts
Under the direction of Wulfstan, the future Bishop of Worcester, construction work began at Gloucester Cathedral. The new building was burnt down and rebuilt later by Abbot Serlo. 5
See Also
Nicholas II becomes Pope
(More...)
Benedict X is elected the Antipope
(More...)
Mar
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Malcolm III becomes King of the Scots
Malcolm had killed Macbeth at Lumphanan in Aberdeenshire. Macbeth's stepson Lulach was crowned king and reigned for four months until he too was killed at Strathbogie. Malcolm became King of the Scots and was crowned at Scone.6
See Also
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1060
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Henry, King of France, dies to be followed by Philippe
Henry I King of France died. His son, Philippe, became King although he was only eight years old. France was administered by Baldwin one of Philippe's uncles.
See Also
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1061
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Honorius II becomes the Antipope
(More...)
Alexander II becomes Pope
(More...)
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1062
A-S C
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Sep 8
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Wulfstan becomes bishop of Worcester
A monk at Worcester from 1040, Wulfstan was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papal legates.
See Also
Dec
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Harold, earl Wessex, attacked Rhuddlan
Harold led an attack on the stronghold of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn at Rhuddlan in north Wales. The attack was a success but the Welsh Prince managed to escape.1
See Also
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1063
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Earl Harold invades Wales
Harold invaded south Wales while Tostig of Northumbria attacked the north.
See Also
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed
The Welsh Prince, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, was killed by his own men. (Need to find out why) 1
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1065
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Mysterious meeting in Normandy
A mysterious meeting is reported to have taken place in Normandy between William the Conqueror and Harold in 1065. In the meeting it was claimed that Harold agreed that William should become King of England when Edward the Confessor died. From what is known of Harold it seems unlikely that he would agree to something like this. We know that he went against this agreement when assumed the role as King after Edward's death.
See Also
Lands from Pershore allocated to Westminster
Edward the Confessor took lands from Pershore Abbey and allocated them to his new Abbey church at Westminster. 7
See Also
Oct
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Morcar becomes Earl of Northumbria
A rebellion against Tostig, Earl of Northumbria leads to Tostig fleeing to Flanders and Morcar becoming the new Earl.
See Also
Dec
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Dedication of Westminster Abbey
Work on the Abbey at Westminster was either complete or very nearly so at its dedication. Edward the Confessor who had devoted himself to creation was to die less than two weeks later.
See Also
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1066
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Fulk Rechin defeats Geoffrey the Bearded
Fulk Rechin was at war with his brother Geoffrey. They were fighting over the lands of Anjou and Touraine which had been left to them by their uncle Geoffrey Martel, the count of Anjou. Fulk captured Geoffrey the Bearded and captured Anjou later taking the title of count. 4
See Also
Jan 4
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Edward the Confessor dies
Edward the Confessor died at Westminster. The death of Edward was an important event in the chain of events that led up to the invasion by William the Conqueror from Normandy.
See Also
Jan 6
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Harold II Godwinson is crowned King of England
Harold was chosen as king but his reign was not to last very long.
See Also
Apr
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Halley's Comet
The comet named after Edmund Halley who accurately predicted the return of the comet in 1758 (unfortunately after his death). It is difficult to determine when the comet would have appeared in the past as the orbit of the comet varies by several years. The Bayeux Tapestry shows what looks like a comet and this could well have been Halley's comet.
See Also
Jul
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William's Invasion fleet gather in the estuary of the River Dives
William the Conqueror prepared to invade England. His invasion fleet gathered in the estuary of the River Dives and other ports in Normandy.8
See Also
Jul
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Harold prepares for William's invasion
Harold, King of England, gathered an army and waited on the south coast of England to defend the country against an William's invasion.
See Also
Sep 20
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Battle of Gate Fulford
Harold Hardrada's forces invaded and started ravaging the countryside as they made their way to York. English forces led by Earl Edwin and Earl Morcar battled with Harold Hardrada at Gate Fulford, but the English were severely beaten. Following this defeat Harold, King of England, was forced to march his army away from the south coast where they were preparing to defend against William the Conqueror's invasion to deal with the invasion in the north.
See Also
Sep 25
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Stamford Bridge Battle
King Harold II defeated the invasion threat from Harold Hardrada, King of Norway and his own brother Tostig, both of whom were killed. This stretched his forces to the limit as they quickly had to march south to defend against William of Normandy's invasion at Hastings.
See Also
Sep 27
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William lands at Pevensey
After dawn the main part of William's fleet landed on the English coast at Pevensey while some split from the main group and landed at Romney.
See Also
Oct
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William moves to Hastings
The village of Hastings in 1066 was on a peninsula of land with marsh and water on two sides. The area was a natural defensive site with a hill to the north that could be used as a lookout point. William possibly built extra defences at Hastings while he prepared to move towards London.
See Also
Oct 1
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Harold learns of William's arrival
Harold was resting his army in York when he learnt that William had landed on the south coast.
See Also
Oct 6
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Harold and his forces reach London
Harold II had to march south from Stamford Bridge to counter the threat of invasion from William of Normandy.
See Also
Oct 11
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Harold leaves London
Harold left London with an army and headed for the south coast.
See Also
Oct 13
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Harold reaches Caldbec Hill
Harold and his army reached Caldbec Hill near the road from London to Hastings. Here they prepared for the battle to come.9
See Also
Oct 14
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Battle of Hastings
William the Conqueror and Harold II met in battle at Hastings. Although Harold had the superior position on the battlefield his tactics failed and he was killed. This left England open for William to continue with his invasion plans.8
See Also
Nov
(to Dec)
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William advances to London
After his victory at the battle of Hastings William moved along the south coast to Dover where extra fortifications were built in the existing castle at the top of the cliffs. From there he moved on to Canterbury. After the death of Harold the archbishops of York and Canterbury, Ealdred and Stigand supported the plan to put Edgar the Aetheling on the English throne but William moved too quickly for this to be done. Canterbury submitted to William and he moved on to London. Instead of entering London from the south he moved around the west of the city crossing the Thames at Wallingford. Finally archbishop Stigand and the other Anglo-Saxon leaders submitted to William and after turning south at Little Berkhamsted William entered London.
See Also
Dec 25
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William the Conqueror becomes King of England
William the Conqueror was coronated as King of England in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day of 1066.8
See Also
| William the Conqueror
In 1051 Edward the Confessor, the King of England was having problems restraining the Godwine family. In the hope that the Normans would assist him, Edward offered William, Duke of Normandy the right to claim the English throne after his death. Edward had no children and no direct heir. In 1066 just before his death, Edward changed his mind and offered the English throne to his wife's brother, Harold, Earl of Godwine. William had been visited by Harold earlier in 1064 and at a meeting it is suspected that Harold agreed to William's succession. When William learnt that Harold was to become king he was outraged and began invasion plans.
Invasion
By August of 1066 the invasion fleet was ready, but the winds in the English Channel were not right and he had to delay sailing. This delay was fortunate for William because in July another invasion led by Harold Hardrada had begun in the north of England. This drew king Harold away from the south coast. King Harold fought and defeated Hardrada on 25th September at Stamford Bridge. At the same time, the winds on the Channel became favourable and William crossed to land without opposition at Pevensey. King Harold then marched his exhausted army back south to fight William.
The Battle of Hastings
The Norman and English armies met at Senlac Hill near Hastings on October 14th. After the battle King Harold was dead and William the Conqueror and his army had won. William refused to allow Harold's body to have a proper burial and the body was moved to the beach where it was put under rocks. The Normans waited expecting representatives of the Saxons to approach and submit to William's rule but none came. William marched his army along the south coat of England to capture the key ports which he needed to control if more men and supplies were to be sent from Normandy. The ports and castles at Dover and Romney fell easily to William. After a stay at Dover resupplying his men William moved north to Canterbury which again submitted to him. |
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1067
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Odo becomes William's deputy
Odo,the Bishop or Bayeux, became William the Conqueror's deputy in England and was assisted by William Fitz Osbern until Osbern's death in 1071. Odo also became the Earl of Kent and his wealth and land became considerable.
See Also
Chepstow Castle begun
Construction of Chepstow Castle is begun.
See Also
A castle at Norwich is begun
A motte and bailey castle is built at Norwich. 10
See Also
Construction of Wallingford Castle
A castle at Wallingford was built in this year. It would have been a motte and bailey type castle. 11
See Also
Construction of Winchester Castle
Construction of a wooden castle was begun at Winchester.
See Also
Mar
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William returns to Normandy
William returned to Normandy taking as guests Edgar the Aetheling (the grandson of Edmund Ironside), Stigand (Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria and the brothers Edwin and Morcar.8
See Also
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1068
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Warwick Castle built on William's orders
William the Conqueror ordered the building of Warwick Castle.
See Also
Northern English move to Scotland
Many of the northern English lords escaped to Scotland and the court of Malcolm III when it was clear that William had control of the country.
See Also
Malcolm III marries Edgar's sister
Edgar the Aetheling took refuge with Malcolm III in Scotland along with his sister Margaret. Malcolm and Margaret were married in the same year.
See Also
Construction of Nottingham Castle
William and the Normans started construction of the castle at Nottingham. This would have been a wooden building. It was built on the high ground above the town using the step slope down to the river Leen as a defence. 12
See Also
The Curfew Bell
William the Conqueror ordered that all church bells should be sounded at eight o'clock each night as a signal for everyone to put out fires and candles and retire to bed. The term appears to come from the French couvre feu meaning cover the fire. 2
See Also
Construction of Lincoln Castle
William the Conqueror ordered that building work on a castle at Lincoln was to be started.
See Also
Construction of Cambridge Castle
The Normans built a motte and bailey castle on the north side of the River Cam. 12
See Also
Feb
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Exeter falls to William
Although William had defeated Harold at Hastings, Harold's mother Gytha and her forces still had not submitted to William's rule. They held out at Exeter until William broke the defences. William had to take heavy casualties in the confrontation.8
See Also
Spring
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Construction begins on Exeter Castle
Following the rebellion in the West William orders the construction of a castle at Exeter.13
See Also
May 11
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Matilda is crowned Queen
William brought his wife Matilda of Flander to England to crown her Queen of England.8
See Also
Sep
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Birth of Henry I
Henry, the future king of England, was born at Selby in Yorkshire.14
See Also
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1069
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Danish fought off at Sandwich
An attack by a Danish invasion fleet led by Sweyn Estrithson of Denmark was fought off by a garrison stationed at a castle at Sandwich. Sandwich was an important port on the south coast. The location has now been found and the site is being investigated. 11
See Also
Dec
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The North is devastated by the Normans
William's forces defeat rebels in the North and Midlands.
See Also
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1070
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Lanfranc becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
William the Conqueror placed Lanfranc in the position of Archbishop of Canterbury a move designed to strengthen his hold on the English throne. Thomas of Bayeux, a pupil of Odo (William's brother), was put in the position of Archbishop of York after the death of Ealred who died on September 11, 1069. Archbishop Stigand was imprisoned in Winchester.
See Also
Castles at Chester and Stafford begun
William continues his castle building spree at both Chester and Stafford. 13
See Also
Castle at Old Sarum
Using the prehistoric hill fort's defensive position to good use, the Normans built a new castle on the Old Sarum site. William the Conqueror paid off his soldiers here in this year.
See Also
Malcolm raids Northern England
The Scottish king attacked towns in the north of England.
See Also
Building work at Chepstow
William Fitz Osbern built the hall at Chepstow Castle. 15
See Also
Dunfermline Abbey founded
The Abbey of Dunfermline was founded by Malcolm III, King of the Scots and his wife Margaret.
See Also
Jun
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Hereward the Wake sacks Peterborough Abbey
As part of a revolt against the new Norman invaders, Hereward the Wake sacks the abbey at Peterborough.
See Also
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1071
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt by Lanfranc
Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt at this time by Archbishop Lanfranc. The Cathedral was based on the design of his abbey in Caen.
See Also
Byzantine army destroyed at Manzikert
The Byzantine army was destroyed at Manzikert by the Turks. Romanus IV Diogenes, emperor of Byzantium, was defeated by the Sultan Alp-Arslan of Persia and imprisoned. Michael VII Ducas became the new emperor. 16
Turks conquer Syria, Jerusalem and parts of Palestine
The Seljuk Turks conquer Syria, Jerusalem and parts of Palestine. 16
See Also
Ely castle ordered
William orders a castle to be built at Ely. 13
See Also
William puts down the revolt
The rebels Hereward the Wake and Morcar on the Isle of Ely were attacked and defeated by William the Conqueror.
See Also
Dudley Castle Construction
After Eadwin, the Earl of Mercia, was killed in the revolt against William his castle and lands at Dudley were given to William's Norman followers. 17
See Also
Abbot of Abingdon imprisoned
The Abbot of Abingdon was imprisoned at Wallingford Castle. 12
See Also
Richmond Castle construction
The construction of Richmond Castle began around this time by Alan Rufus, the cousin of the Duke of Brittany.
See Also
Bangor Cathedral destroyed by the Normans
A Norman army attacked the northern Welsh town of Bangor and destroyed the Cathedral there. 5
See Also
Construction of Oxford Castle
Robert D'Oilly was given the task of building a castle at Oxford by William the Conqueror at the important Thames river crossing. A motte and bailey castle would have been the type of castle built at this time. 18
See Also
| Richmond Castle was begun in around 1071 when William the Conqueror held Christmas in north Yorkshire where he granted large amounts of land to Alan (Alain) Rufus from Brittany who was one of William's trusted lieutenants. Alan selected a site above the River Swale for a castle, a site which may have not been used as a defensive site before. It appears that the castle he built was of stone which was unusual for the time when castles were built of earth banks and wooden stockades. |
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1072
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
At Durham, another castle is ordered
William orders the castle as Durham to be built. 13
See Also
Serlo takes over at Gloucester
Serlo, William the Conqueror's chaplain, revived the floundering monastery at Gloucester and started major rebuilding work. Serlo died in 1104.
See Also
Old Sarum Cathedral
The first cathedral at Old Sarum was built between 1075 and 1092. Its builder was Bishop Osmund, who was supposed to be William the Conqueror's nephew. From 1072 until 1078, Osmund was William's Chancellor. In 1078 Osmund was given the title of Bishop of Salisbury.
See Also
Treaty of Abernethy
Treaty between William the Conqueror and Malcolm III of Scotland. In this treaty Malcolm paid homage to William.
See Also
First Cathedral at Lincoln begun
The Norman Bishop of Fecamp began work on the first Cathedral church at Lincoln. The bishop's see had been moved from Dorchester-on-Thames.
See Also
Feb
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Council of Winchester
Lanfranc held a Church council at Winchester where the reorganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics war confirmed. Canterbury was also confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York.
See Also
Jun
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William leads an army into Scotland
It is possible that William the Conqueror was planning to attack King Malcolm to prevent him protecting Edgar the Aetheling and to stop him advancing into the north of England. The treaty 'Peace of Abernethy' brought a solution to the situation where Malcolm agreed to become William's vassal and to expel Edgar.8
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1073
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Edgar the Aetheling attempts to take the English throne
Edgar joins forces with King Malcolm in Scotland and King Philippe I of France.
See Also
Gregory VII becomes Pope
(More...)
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1074
A-S C
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Events occurring at some time during this year
Harold III becomes King of Denmark
(More...)
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Selection of references used:
1. Peter Potter, Data Donation 2. A.F.Scott, The Norman Age, 1976 3. W.H.Hudson, France, The Nation & its Development, MCMXVII 4. The Plantagenet Chronicles, 1-85501-685-0 5. T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals of England and Wales, 1934 6. J.D. Mackie, A History of Scotland, 1978, 0 7139 1206 5 7. M.R.James, Abbeys, 1925 8. David Bates, William the Conqueror, 0-540-01175-4 9. Christopher Gravett, Hasting 1066, ISBN-1-85532-764-5 10. Sheila Sancha, The Castle Story 11. Derek Renn, Norman Castles, 1968 12. John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales 13. Colin Platt, Medieval England, 0 7100 8815 9 14. Richard Cavendish, Kings and Queens The Concise Guide, 978-0-7153-2376-2 15. Sidney Toy, Catles. Their Construction and History, 1985, 0-486-24898-4 16. T. Wise & G.A. Embleton, Armies of the Crusades, 0-85045-125-6 17. Timbs & Gunn, Abbeys, Castles & Ancient Halls of England & Wales 18. Charles Oman KBE, Castles
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