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Explore the White Tower

Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.

A Medieval Mystery

There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.

1: Location

Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.

2: Alignment

Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.

3: Size

Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?

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3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

1051 .. 1075
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

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Eleventh Century

135 Historical events occurring between 1051 and 1075

Years: 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Click to explore

1051

English Regnal years: -
 
Births

Robert (II, Duke of Normandy 1087-1106) (b.1051 - d.1134)

...
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.
Mar
Robert of Jumieges becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
Mar
Late in 1050, Eadsige, the archbishop of Canterbury died. The monks of Canterbury favoured Aelric, one of their fellow monks to become the next archbishop and Earl Godwin was approached to help push his appointment through. But King Edward appointed his favourite councellor Robert of Jumieges to the post instead.
Sep
Edward expels the Godwin family
Sep
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 resulting in the deaths of several people. The area of Dover was under the control of the Godwin family and Edward the Confessor, who blamed the people of Dover for the fight, told Earl Godwin to deal with them. Godwin refused to obey Edward's order and in response Edward raised an army and forced the Godwin family into exile.
Episode: Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwine [highlight all]
Winter
William visits England
Winter
With the Godwins in exile, Edward the Confessor invited William, Duke of Normandy to England. It is at this point that it is thought Edward promised the English thone to William in the event of his death.
See Also

1052

English Regnal years: -
 
Births

Edgar (The Aetheling) (b.1052 - d.1126)

Philippe (I, King of France 1060-1108) (b.1052 - d.1108)

 
Deaths

Champart, Robert (of Jumieges, Archbishop of Canterbury) ( - d.1052)

Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred) (b.982 - d.1052)

Godwinson, Sweyn ( - d.1052)

...
Siege of Arques-la-Bataille
William the Conqueror besiged Arques-la-Bataille castle in Normandy. Its owner William count of Arques had rebelled and the siege the lasted for several months until it surrendered after agreeable terms were arranged.
Mar
Death of Queen Emma
Mar
Queen Emma died at Winchester. [1]
May
The Godwins invade England
May
Godwin, 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.
Episode: Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwine [highlight all]
Summer
Stigand becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
Summer
Stigand, the Bishop of Winchester, mediated in the conflicts between the Godwins 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 of Jumieges appealed to Pope Leo IX and Stigand was excommunicated.
See Also

1053

English Regnal years: -
 
Deaths

Godwin (Earl of Wessex) (b.1000 - d.1053)

...
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.
Episode: Reasons for the Norman Invasion [highlight all]
...
William marries Matilda
In spite of objections from Pope Leo, William married Matilda his cousin, the daughter of Baldwin V, Earl of Flanders and Adela of France.
Apr
Harold becomes Earl of Wessex
Apr
Godwin, Earl of Wessex, died and Harold Godwinson inherited his title.
Episode: Edward the Confessor and Earl Godwine [highlight all]
Dec 21
Strong winds
Dec 21
Extremely strong winds destroyed churches and buildings. [2]
More Natural World Events
See Also

1054

English Regnal years: -
...
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]
...
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]
...
Siege of Domfront
The siege of Domfront, a strong stone castle in Angevin, ended when the garrison surrendered. The garrison feared the same punishment dealt out to defenders of Alençon by Duke William who showed them no mercy.
Jul
Supernova Crab Nebula SN 1054
Jul
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.
More Natural World Events
See Also

1055

English Regnal years: -
 
Deaths

Siward, (Earl of Northumbria) ( - d.1055)

...
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
...
Tostig becomes Earl of Northumbria
King Edward gave Tostig the important position of Earl of Northumbria and the difficult job of bringing the northern state under control. [5]
Oct
Hereford cathedral attacked
Oct
A force of Welsh and Irish men led by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, a Welsh prince attacked and burnt the building.
Oct 24
Rebellion of Aelfgar of Mercia
Oct 24
Aelfgar, earl of Mercia was outlawed by the witan. In revenge he built a force and allied himself with Welsh Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. After defeating the King's nephew, Radulf, they attacked Hereford and raided the church killing several canons and taking everything of value leaving the building on fire. The rebels also attacked Leominster. [1] [6]
See Also

1056

English Regnal years: -
...
Bishop of Hereford
Death of Athelstan, bishop of Hereford; succeeded by Leofgar, who tried to take reprisals against Gruffydd, the Welsh Prince. [1]
...
Henry IV of Germany
Henry IV became the King of Germany at the age of six when his father, King Henry III died. As Henry was too young to rule, his regency was led at first by his mother Agnes. [7]
Jun
Death of Leofgar, bishop of Hereford
Jun
In reponse to the attack on Hereford Catherdal, Leofgar the bishop of Hereford took an army into Wales to deal with the Welsh prince. In battle Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed the bishop and others near Glasbury on Wye. Earl Godwin raised an army in response but the two side eventually came to peaceful terms and Aelfgar was later restored to his position. [1]
See Also

1057

English Regnal years: -
 
Births

William (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100) (b.1057 - d.1100)

 
Deaths

Edward (The Exile) (b.1016 - d.1057)

Leofric (Earl of Mercia) ( - d.1057)

Macbeth, (Scottish King) ( - d.1057)

...
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.
Episode: Reasons for the Norman Invasion [highlight all]
...
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]
...
Sweyn II Estridsen becomes King of Denmark
...
Stephen IX (or X) becomes Pope
Aug
Macbeth is killed and Lulach becomes king
Aug
Macbeth was killed by Malcolm III, also known as Malcolm Canmore, who later became the King of Scotland. Macbeth was succeeded by his stepson Lulach who was crowned at Scone.
See Also

1058

English Regnal years: -
 
Births

Baldwin (I, King of Jerusalem 1100-1118) (b.1058 - d.1118)

 
Deaths

Lulach (Scottish King) ( - d.1058)

...
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. [8]
...
Benedict X is elected the Antipope
Mar
Malcolm III becomes King of the Scots
Mar
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. [9]
See Also

1059

English Regnal years: -
Jan
Nicholas II becomes Pope
Jan
Gerard, the bishop of Florence was elected to the position of Pope early in 1059. The previous Pope Benedict X, now regarded as an antipope, was forced to flee Rome.
Apr
College of Cardinals
Apr
Pope Nicholas II was able to limit the electors of future popes to the College of Cardinals. Previously popes may have been elected by their predecessors or by political rulers who chose men to support their military ambitions. The new process was put in place to remove the chaos caused by such corrupt elections.
See Also

1060

English Regnal years: -
 
Births

Baldwin (II, King of Jerusalem 1118-1131) (b.1060 - d.1131)

Duncan (II, Scottish King 1094) (b.1060 - d.1094)

Godfrey (of Bouillon) (b.1060 - d.1100)

 
Deaths

Geoffrey (Martel, I, count of Anjou) ( - d.1060)

Henry (I, King of France 1031-1060) (b.1008 - d.1060)

...
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

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Click to explore

1061

English Regnal years: -
 
Deaths

Nicholas (II, Pope) ( - d.1061)

...
Honorius II becomes the Antipope
...
Alexander II becomes Pope
...
Invasion of Sicily
The Normans under the the leadership of Robert Guiscard and his brother Robert were fighting in southern Italy to claim lands from the Byzantines. At the treaty of Melfi in 1059 Robert had been granted the lands of Sicily, Apulia and Calabria by the Pope in return for their support. In 1060 they were in control of southern Italy and in 1061 had captured parts of Sicily including Messina. But they could not capture the whole of the island. [10]
Jul
Death of Pope Nicholas II
Jul
Death of Pope Nicholas II
See Also

1062

English Regnal years: -
 
Deaths

Aelfgar (Earl of Mercia) (b.1030 - d.1062)

Sep 8
Wulfstan becomes bishop of Worcester
Sep 8
Wulfstan, a monk at Worcester Cathedral from 1040, was recommended for the position of bishop by visiting papal legates.
Dec
Harold, earl Wessex, attacked Rhuddlan
Dec
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

1063

English Regnal years: -
 
Deaths

Gruffydd, Llywelyn ap ( - d.1063)

...
Earl Harold invades Wales
Harold invaded south Wales while Tostig of Northumbria attacked the north.
...
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed
The Welsh Prince, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, was killed by his own men. (Need to find out why) [1]
...
William invades and captures Maine
Some years earlier William had supported the exiled Count Herbert of Maine when Geoffrey Martel invaded the province and captured its main town Le Mans. As part of the pact William and Herbert agreed that if Herbert died without an heir the province could be claimed by William. William's eldest son Robert Curthose was betrothed to Herbert's daughter (Margaret?) but she died before they could be married. When Herbert died William claimed Maine in the name of his son and invaded. Robert was made Count of Maine when the province was captured. [11]
...
Lanfranc became Abbot at Caen
With the support of William of Normandy, Lanfranc was put forward as a candidate for the abbacy of the William's Abbey of St. Etienne. He was appointed to the position. At Bec, Anselm was appointed to the position of prior,
...
Sancho becomes ruler of Aragon
Sancho was the eldest son of Ramiro I and became the ruler of Aragon after his father's death. Sancho ruled until 1094.
See Also

1064

English Regnal years: -
...
Mysterious meeting in Normandy
A mysterious meeting is reported to have taken place in Normandy between William the Conqueror and Harold in 1064 or 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 he assumed the role as King after Edward's death. The Bayeaux Tapestry shows Harold travelling to, or being shipwreked on the land of Guy, count of Ponthieu. Harold was captured by Guy and held at his castle at Beaurain until William the Conqueror arranged for his release. The tapestry possibly shows Harold swearing an oath while his hands rest on what appear to be sacred relics. After this his returned to England.
Episode: Reasons for the Norman Invasion [highlight all]
...
Peace between Norway and Denmark
After almost twenty years of conflict, the rulers of Norway and Denmark, Harald Hardrada and Sweyn Estrithson made peace. This allowed Harald to turn his attentions to England where he believed he had a right to the throne. In 1038 Magnus of Norway and Harthacnut of Denmark had signed a treaty that specified if either died without an heir his kingdom must pass to the other. When Harthacnut died childless in 1042 Magnus claimed both Denmark and England as his own. It was this claim that Harald was basing his own claim upon.
See Also

1065

English Regnal years: -
...
Lands from Pershore allocated to Westminster
Edward the Confessor took lands from Pershore Abbey and allocated them to his new Abbey church at Westminster. [12]
Oct
Morcar becomes Earl of Northumbria
Oct
A rebellion against Tostig, Earl of Northumbria leads to Tostig fleeing to Flanders and Morcar becoming the new Earl.
Episode: Reasons for the Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Dec
Dedication of Westminster Abbey
Dec
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

1066

English Regnal years: - 1 William I
 
Births

Constance (of Normandy) (b.1066 - d.1090)

 
Deaths

Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066) (b.1003 - d.1066)

Gyrth (Earl of East Anglia) ( - d.1066)

Hardrada, Harold (King of Norway 1047-1066) ( - d.1066)

HAROLD (II, Godwinson, King of England 1066) (b.1022 - d.1066)

Leofwine (Earl of Kent and Essex) ( - d.1066)

Tostig (Earl of Northumbria) (b.1025 - d.1066)

...
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]
...
Montacute Castle construction
A motte and bailey castle was built by Robert Count of Mortain in Somerset.
Jan 4
Edward the Confessor dies
Jan 4
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.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Jan 6
Harold II Godwinson is crowned King of England
Jan 6
After the death of King Edward Harold Godwinson was chosen as king but his reign was not to last very long.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Apr
Halley's Comet
Apr
A comet appeared in the skies and is shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. It is thought to be the same comet that was named after Edmund Halley who accurately predicted its return in 1758.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
More Natural World Events
May
Tostig invades the south of England
May
After being expelled from Northumbria Tostig spent time in Flanders. Here he raised an army and fleet and attempted to invade the south of England. The English armies around the Isle of Wight were too strong so Tostig was forced to look for another place to attack. His fleet sailed up the east coast of England to Lincolnshire. [5]
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Jun
Dedication of Holy Trinity at Caen
Jun
William the Conqueror and Matilda attended the dedication of Matilda's church, the Holy Trinity at Caen. To show their devotion they gave their daughter Cecilia to the church to be raised as a nun. [13]
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Jul
William's Invasion fleet gather in the estuary of the River Dives
Jul
William the Conqueror made preparations to invade England. His invasion fleet gathered in the estuary of the River Dives and other ports in Normandy. [14]
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Jul
Harold prepares for William's invasion
Jul
King Harold gathered an army and waited on the south coast of England to defend the country against William's invasion.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Sep 12
St-Valery-Sur-Somme
Sep 12
William the Conqueror's invasion fleet arrived at St-Valery-Sur-Somme further up the Normandy coast. William had either decided to move the fleet to the inlet or the fleet was forced to take shelter there after being hit by a storm. William's fleet remained there waiting for winds blowing in the right direction to take them to England.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Sep 20
Battle of Gate Fulford
Sep 20
Harold Hardrada's forces invaded England 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 King Harold 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.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Sep 25
Stamford Bridge Battle
Sep 25
King Harold 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 the Conqueror's invasion from Normandy.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Sep 27
William lands at Pevensey
Sep 27
Just after dawn the main part of William's fleet landed on the English coast at Pevensey while some split from the main group and came ashore at Romney.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct
William moves to Hastings
Oct
William the Conqueror moved his army 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.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct 1
Harold learns of William's arrival
Oct 1
King Harold was resting his army in York when he learnt that William had landed on the south coast.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct 6
Harold and his forces reach London
Oct 6
King Harold had to march south from Stamford Bridge to counter the threat of invasion from William the Conqueror.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct 11
Harold leaves London
Oct 11
King Harold left London with an army and headed for the south coast.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct 13
Harold reaches Caldbec Hill
Oct 13
King Harold and his army reached Caldbec Hill near the road from London to Hastings. Here they prepared for the battle to come. [15]
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Oct 14
Battle of Hastings
Oct 14
William the Conqueror and King Harold 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.

Click here to see details of the Battle of Hastings

 [14]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
Nov (to Dec)
William advances to London
Nov (to Dec)
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 King Harold the archbishops of York and Canterbury, Ealdred and Stigand supported the plan to put Edgar the Atheling on the English throne but William moved too quickly for this to be done and Edgar was too young and inexperienced to take on the role. 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 the Conqueror entered London.
Episode: Norman Invasion [highlight all]
Dec
Massacre of Jews at Granada
Dec
The Jews had risen to great power in Granada. Unhappy with this, the Muslims stormed the palace and massacred the vizier and possibly 4,000 of his followers.
Dec 25
William the Conqueror becomes King of England
Dec 25
On Christmas Day, William the Conqueror was crowned as King of England in Westminster Abbey. [14]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

1067

English Regnal years: 1 William I - 2 William I
 
Births

Adela (of Normandy) (b.1067 - d.1137)

...
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.
...
Chepstow Castle begun
Construction of Chepstow Castle is begun.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
A castle at Norwich is begun
A motte and bailey castle is built at Norwich. [16]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Construction of Wallingford Castle
A castle at Wallingford was built in this year. It would have been a motte and bailey type castle. [17]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Construction of Winchester Castle
Construction of a wooden castle was begun at Winchester.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Arundel Castle granted to Roger de Montgomery
William the Conqueror granted Arundel Castle to Roger de Montgomery. [18]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
Mar
William returns to Normandy
Mar
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. [14]
Dec
Fire at Canterbury
Dec
A fire broke out in the city of l271:Canterbury which spread to the monastery. The buildings and main Saxon church were badly damaged. Stigand was the archbishop at the time but would shortly be deposed by Lanfranc who would start the reconstruction work.
See Also

1068

English Regnal years: 2 William I - 3 William I
 
Births

Henry (I, King of England 1100-1135) (b.1068 - d.1135)

...
Warwick Castle built on William's orders
William the Conqueror ordered the building of Warwick Castle.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Northern English move to Scotland
Many of the northern English lords escaped to Scotland and to the court of Malcolm III when it was clear that William the Conqueror had control of the country.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
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.
...
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 steep slope down to the river Leen as a defence. [19]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
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]
...
Construction of Lincoln Castle
William the Conqueror ordered that building work on a castle at Lincoln was to be started.
...
Construction of Cambridge Castle
The Normans built a motte and bailey castle on the north side of the River Cam. [19]
...
Construction of York Castle
William the Conqueror had the first of two castles built in York. At the point the castle would have been a simple motte and bailey type fortification.
Feb
Exeter falls to William
Feb
Although William had defeated Harold at Hastings, Harold's mother Gytha and her forces still had not submitted to William's rule. They refused to pay the taxes that William demanded and held out at Exeter until their defences were broken. William had to take heavy casualties in the confrontation. William was still collecting the land tax known as Danegeld. After the city fell, William had a castle constructed to keep control of the population there. [14]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
Spring
Construction begins on Exeter Castle
Spring
Following the rebellion in the West William orders the construction of a castle at Exeter. [20]
May 11
Matilda is crowned Queen
May 11
William brought his wife Matilda of Flander to England to crown her Queen of England. Matilda's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey and the ceremony was performed by the archbishop of York. [14]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
Sep
Birth of Henry I
Sep
Henry, the future king of England, was born at Selby in Yorkshire. [21]
See Also

1069

English Regnal years: 3 William I - 4 William I
...
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. [17]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Construction of Worcester Castle
Land from the nearby Cathedral was used to build a new Norman motte and bailey castle on the bank of the River Severn.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
A second castle built at York
William the Conqueror had a second motte and bailey castle built at York. The second castle being built across the river from the first.
Apr 28
Death of Magnus II
Apr 28
Magnus II, King of Norway died. He had become King of Norway in 1066. [22]
Sep
York captured by the Danes
Sep
An army sent by Sweyn of Denmark landed in the north and captured York. Local rebels joined the Danes and attacked the two castles within the city. A fire lit by the Normans in an attempt to prevent the Danes attacking the castles got out of control and a large part of the city was destroyed including the cathedral. The confusion aided the Danes in capturing the castles and killing most of the Normans in the city.
Dec
The North is devastated by the Normans
Dec
Wiilliam laid waste to the northern lands of England to bring the area for ever under his control. The destruction was so severe that towns were left without inhabitants and so much of the crops and animals were burnt and destroyed that thousands of Northumbrians died of hunger. William also ordered that the land be poisoned so that crops would not grow again for years to come. This has become known as the Harrying of the North.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

1070

English Regnal years: 4 William I - 5 William I
 
Births

Payens, Hugh de (b.1070 - d.1136)

...
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 William's brother Odo, was put in the position of Archbishop of York after the death of Ealred who died on September 11th, 1069. Archbishop Stigand was imprisoned in Winchester.
...
Castles at Chester and Stafford begun
William the Conqueror continued his castle building programme at both Chester and Stafford. [20]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
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.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Malcolm raids Northern England
Malcolm, the Scottish king attacked towns in the north of England.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Building work at Chepstow
William Fitz Osbern built the hall at Chepstow Castle. [23]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Dunfermline Abbey founded
The Abbey of Dunfermline was founded by Malcolm III, King of the Scots and his wife Margaret. It was a daughter-house of Christ-Church, Canterbury from which Archbishop Lanfranc sent several monks. [24]
Jun
Hereward the Wake sacks Peterborough Abbey
Jun
As part of a revolt against the new Norman invaders, Hereward the Wake sacked the abbey at Peterborough.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

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1071

English Regnal years: 5 William I - 6 William I
 
Deaths

Fitz Osbern, William (Earl of Hereford) ( - d.1071)

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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.
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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. [25]
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Turks conquer Syria, Jerusalem and parts of Palestine
The Seljuk Turks conquer Syria, Jerusalem and parts of Palestine. [25]
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Ely castle ordered
William orders a castle to be built at Ely. [20]
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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.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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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. [26]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Abbot of Abingdon imprisoned
The Abbot of Abingdon was imprisoned at Wallingford Castle. [19]
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Richmond Castle construction
The construction of Richmond Castle began around this time by Alan Rufus, the cousin of the Duke of Brittany.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Bangor Cathedral destroyed by the Normans
A Norman army attacked the northern Welsh town of Bangor and destroyed the Cathedral there. [8]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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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. [27]
See Also

1072

English Regnal years: 6 William I - 7 William I
 
Deaths

Leofric (Bishop of Exeter) ( - d.1072)

Stigand, (Archbishop of Canterbury) ( - d.1072)

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At Durham, another castle is ordered
William orders the castle as Durham to be built. [20]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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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.
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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 and in 1078 Osmund was given the title of Bishop of Salisbury.
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Treaty of Abernethy
In response to the earlier Scottish raid into northern England, King William took an army into Scotland. At the Treaty of Abernethy between William the Conqueror and Malcolm III of Scotland, Malcolm agreed to pay homage to William and gave his eldest son as hostage.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
Feb
Council of Winchester
Feb
Lanfranc held a Church council at Winchester where the reorganisation of Bishops and Bishoprics was confirmed. Canterbury was also confirmed as the head of the English Church rather than York.
Jun
William leads an army into Scotland
Jun
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. [14]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

1073

English Regnal years: 7 William I - 8 William I
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Edgar the Aetheling attempts to take the English throne
Edgar the Aetheling joined forces with King Malcolm in Scotland and King Philippe I of France in an attempt to take the English throne. A storm in the North Sea brought the endevour to an end and Edgar surrendered to William the Conqueror.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Gregory VII becomes Pope
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Motte and Bailey Castle at Rhuddlan
At Rhuddlan, by 1073, a motte and bailey castle had been built on the site of the earlier Welsh fort. This was done by Robert of Rhuddlan, a deputy of the Earl of Chester.  [28]
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William in Normandy
King William crossed the Channel to Normandy where he put down a revolt in Maine. [29]
See Also

1074

English Regnal years: 8 William I - 9 William I
 
Births

Edgar (King of Scotland 1097-1107) (b.1074 - d.1107)

 
Deaths

Estrithson, Sweyn (King of Denmark (1047-1074)) ( - d.1074)

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Construction of first Cathedral at Lincoln starts
Remigius the Norman monk and almoner from Fecamp Abbey began work on the first Cathedral church at Lincoln. The bishop's see had been moved from Dorchester-on-Thames.
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Conspiracy against King William
The absence of William in Normandy encouraged a rebellion led by Roger, earl of Hereford, and Ralf de Guader, earl of Norfolk and Earl Walfeof against the Norman King. The rebellion was halted at Worcester by Bishop Wulfstan and Walter de Lacy whose army prevented the rebels crossing the River Severn. When William retuned to England, the leaders of the rebellion were imprisoned except Earl Walfeof who was executed. After the rebellion, King William deprived several of the earls of their titles and did not re-appoint them.
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Jarrow monastery restored
After the destruction of the North by King William, a monk called Aldwin rebuilt sections of the damaged monastery at Jarrow including the upper part of the central tower and brought back monks.
Apr 28
Harold III becomes King of Denmark
Apr 28
Upon the death of Sweyn the King of Denmark a war of succession followed between his eldest sons. Harold became king and reigned until 1081.
See Also

1075

English Regnal years: 9 William I - 10 William I
 
Deaths

Godwinson, Edith (of Wessex) (b.1025 - d.1075)

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Chichester founded as a see
Chichester was made a bishopric in this year when the bishop moved there from Selsey.
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Construction of Windsor Castle
Construction of Windsor Castle started by William the Conqueror.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Council of London
At the Council of London Archbishop Lanfranc instigated the movement of many English Bishoprics to more important locations. Amongst these were the Bishopric of Sherborne and Wilton which moved to Old Sarum and Selsey which moved to Chichester.
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Chepstow Castle passes to the crown
Roger Fitz Osbern joined an unsuccessful uprising against the king and lost. The castle then passed to the crown. [19]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
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Revolt of the Earls
William the Conqueror had to contend with several rebellions making up the Norman Conquest, the last of which was a rebellion by three earls over a marriage. William forbade the marriage of Emma, the daughter of William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford to Ralph, Earl of East Anglia (Norfolk). Ignoring William's refusal Ralph and Emma secretly married. Along with Roger Earl of Hereford, Emma's brother, Ralph plotted to rebel against William. Involved in the plot was Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, an Anglo-Saxon earl. Soon after the rebellion started Waltheof had second thoughts and confessed. The rebellion collapsed and Waltheof was arrested.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

Timeline Navigation

 

Selection of references used:

  • 1: Peter Potter, Data Donation
  • 2: A.F.Scott, The Norman Age, 1976, Scott & Finley Ltd (1976)
  • 3: W.H.Hudson, France, The Nation & its Development, MCMXVII, George G. Harrap & Co (MCMXVII)
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  • 5: Richard Fletcher, Who's Who in Roman and Anglo-Saxon England, ISBN:0-85683-114-X
  • 6: Rev. H. W. Phillott, Dioresan Histories Hereford, 1888
  • 7: Rev. Dr Cobham Brewer, Political, Social and Literary History of Germany
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  • 12: M.R.James, Abbeys, 1925, The Great Western Railway (1925)
  • 13: R. Allan Brown, The Normans, 1984, Guild Publishing London (1984)
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  • 17: Derek Renn, Norman Castles, 1968, John Baker Publishers Ltd (1968), Own Copy
  • 18: John Guy, Castles in Sussex, 1984, ISBN:ISBN-0-85033-523-X, Philimore & Co, Ltd - The Camelot Press Ltd (1984)
  • 19: John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales, Shire Publications Ltd
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  • 28: Alan Reid, Castles of Wales, ISBN:0-540-07052-1
  • 29: J. C. Curtis B.A., School and College History of England, 1860