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HAROLD II, Godwinson, King of England 1066

YearDay/MonthTitle
Edward the Confessor (1042 - 1066)
1052May 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.
 
1055 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.
 
1062Dec 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.
 
1063 Earl Harold invades Wales
 Harold invaded south Wales while Tostig of Northumbria attacked the north.
 
William the Conqueror (1066 - 1087)
1066Jul 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.
Sep 20 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.
Sep 25 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.
Oct 1 Harold learns of William's arrival
 Harold was resting his army in York when he learnt that William had landed on the south coast.
Oct 6 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.
Oct 11 Harold leaves London
 Harold left London with an army and headed for the south coast.
 
1068Feb 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.

See Also

Harold Hardrada
Tostig Earl of Northumbria
Godwine Earl of Wessex
Edward The Exile
WILLIAM I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087
 Battle Abbey
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