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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.

1076 .. 1100
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

Timeline Navigation

 
Eleventh Century

158 Historical events occurring between 1076 and 1100

Years: 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100

1076

English Regnal years: 10 William I - 11 William I
...
Battle Abbey Consecrated
Even though incomplete, Battle Abbey is consecrated.
...
Earthquake in England
A large earthquake hit England in this year.
More Natural World Events
May
Waltheof executed
May
Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, the last of the Anglo-Saxon earls was exeuted for his part in the failed Rebellion of the Three Earls. The execution took place near Winchester on the order of William the Conqueror.
See Also

1077

English Regnal years: 11 William I - 12 William I
 
Births

Alexander (I, King of Scotland 1107-1124) (b.1077 - d.1124)

...
Rochester Cathedral building work begins
Gundulf, the Norman monk responsible for the design and construction of the Tower of London, was given the see of Rochester. He started the construction of a tower at Rochester that formed part of the church and is its oldest above-ground part,
...
St. Albans Cathedral building begins
Work began on St. Albans Cathedral. (More Information to follow)
...
Gundulf consecrated as Bishop of Rochester
Gundulf became Bishop of Rochester, remaining there for thirty years and where he is buried.
...
Fire of London
A devastating took hold in London and much of the city was reduced to ashes.
Jul 14
The Bayeux Tapestry
Jul 14
The Bayeux Tapestry is first shown at the dedication of Odo's cathedral.
See Also

1078

English Regnal years: 12 William I - 13 William I
...
Work starts on the White Tower
Gundulf began work on the White Tower, the Tower of London. [1]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Bishops of East Anglia moved to Thetford
The two bishoprics of East Anglia and Dunwich (Suffolk) were merged into one and moved to Thetford which was an important town at the time and was in a central location.
...
Osmond becomes Bishop at Old Sarum
Osmond was a Norman who came to England with William the Conqueror. He exchanged his noble title for that of a religious one and became Bishop at Old Sarum after Herbert. Osmond continued the construction work of a new cathedral at Old Sarum.
Dec
Siege of Gerberoy
Dec
During the winter of 1078/9 William the Conqueror laid siege to Gerberoy Castle which was the stronghold of his son Robert who had rebelled against him. [2]
See Also

1079

English Regnal years: 13 William I - 14 William I
 
Births

Abelard, Peter (b.1079 - d.1142)

...
Winchester Cathedral crypt
Construction work began on the crypt and transepts of Winchester Cathedral. This continued until 1093. [3]
...
Constuction of Baynard's Castle
The first of two castles located in London taking the name Baynard's Castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest by Ralph Baynard, a Norman who was granted large amounts of land by William the Conqueror. The castle was demolished by King John in 1213.
Jan
Battle of Gerberoy
Jan
In a battle outside Gerberoy Castle William the Conqueror was unseated from his horse. The person responsible was his son Robert. When Robert discovered he had unhorsed and injured his father he assisted William to remount and leave the battlefield. This was a humiliating defeat for William who had been seen to be invincible. [2]
See Also

1080

English Regnal years: 14 William I - 15 William I
 
Births

Matilda Edith (of Scotland) (b.1080 - d.1118)

...
Ripon monastery destroyed by Normans
Ripon monastery destroyed by Normans. [4]
...
Hereford Cathedral new building
Robert de Losinga, a Norman Bishop started work on a new Cathedral at Hereford. [5]
...
Colchester castle begun
To defend the estuaries of Essex against attacks from the Danes William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a new castle at Colchester.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Construction of Lewes Castles
Work on a castle at Lewes began in 1080 and progressed possibly until 1100. [6]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Canute the Saint becomes King of Denmark
...
Clement III becomes the Antipope
Qtr 2
William and Robert reconciled
Qtr 2
Possibly with the the help of Matilda, his mother, the rebellious Robert was reconciled with his father William.
See Also

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Click to explore

1081

English Regnal years: 15 William I - 16 William I
 
Births

Henry (V of Germany) (b.1081 - d.1124)

Suger (of St Denis, Paris, Abbot) (b.1081 - d.1151)

 
Deaths

Richard (Son of William the Conqueror) ( - d.1081)

...
Accession of Alexius Comnenus
The civil wars following the battle of Manzikert led to Alexius Comnenus becoming the Eastern Emperor. [7]
...
William tours south Wales
William the Conqueror visited South Wales and St. David's. He met Rhys ap Tewdwr, the ruler of the area and allowed him to remain in control of the region for a yearly sum of money.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Cardiff Castle construction
William the Conqueror may have ordered the creation of a castle at Cardiff during his tour of Southern Wales. The first castle on the site would have been a motte and bailey type and it was built on the site of existing Roman fortifications. [8]
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
...
Death of Richard, William's son
Richard was killed while hunting in the New Forest.
See Also

1083

English Regnal years: 17 William I - 18 William I
 
Deaths

Matilda (of Flanders) (b.1031 - d.1083)

...
Ely Cathedral building begins
Work began on Ely Cathedral
...
Odo imprisoned
William imprisoned his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.
...
Adela of Normandy marries Stephen of Blois
Adela, the daughter of William the Conqueror married Stephen, Count of Blois who could have been twenty years older than herself.This marriage could have occurred as early as 1080 but that would have made Adela only thirteen years old.
See Also

1084

English Regnal years: 18 William I - 19 William I
 
Births

Mary (of Scotland) (b.1084 - d.1116)

...
Worcester Cathedral building begins
Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
See Also

1085

English Regnal years: 19 William I - 20 William I
 
Births

David (I, King of Scotland 1124-1153) (b.1085 - d.1153)

...
Toledo recaptured from the Moors
Toledo was recaptured from the Moors. [9]
...
Invasion plans
Word reached King William that Canute IV of Denmark was gathering a very large invasion fleet and preparing to invade England. Internal disputes delayed the fleet setting sail. In response William employed many mercenaries from Normandy as he was unable to trust the support of the local Anglo-Saxons. He also ordrered the land on the east coast to be laid waste so it did not provide resources for the invaders. [2]
Dec 25
Domesday Book
Dec 25
At the Christmas Council William the Conqueror ordered the creation of survey of property with their values and populations county by county covering most of England. Commissioners were sent all over England, apart from the far north, to make a record of the population, value, state and ownership of the land. The book known as the Domesday Book consisted of two volumes and was completed by 1088.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

1086

English Regnal years: 20 William I - 21 William I
 
Deaths

Canute (IV, King of Denmark) (b.1042 - d.1086)

...
The Spanish are defeated at Zallaca
The Spanish are defeated at Zallaca. [9]
...
Stormy weather and disease
Violent storms killed many people while cattle died from disease.
More Natural World Events
...
Oluf I Hunger becomes King of Denmark
...
Death of Canute IV
A peasant revolt ended Canute IV of Denmark's plans to gather a large fleet of ships to invade England. Canute took refuge with his men inside a church but was found and murdered. [2]
May
Victor III becomes Pope
May
The abbot of Monte Cassinio was reluctantly elected Pope.
May 24
Election of Pope Victor III
May 24
The abbot of Monte Cassino, a man called Desiderius, was elected Pope a year after the death of the previous pope Gregory VII. His reign was not to last long as he retired to his abbey at Monte Cassino with ill health and died in September of 1087. [10]
Aug 1
Oath of Salisbury
Aug 1
William the Conqueror called a meeting at Old Sarum where he invited his most important vassals and tenants-in-chief in England to swear allegiance to him. The oath is now known as the Oath of Salisbury.
Episode: Norman Conquest [highlight all]
See Also

1087

English Regnal years: 21 William I - 1 William II
 
Deaths

Victor (III, Pope) (b.1026 - d.1087)

William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087) (b.1028 - d.1087)

...
St. Paul's Cathedral Burns down
Work on rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral started after the Old St. Paul's burnt down and a good deal of London as well. The person in charge of the rebuilding work was Mauritius, chaplain to William the Conqueror and Bishop of London. The new Cathedral was reportedly extremely large.
...
William Rufus gives Manor of Tewkesbury
William Rufus gave the Manor of Tewkesbury to his cousin, Robert FitzHamon. Together with the patronage of the Priory of Tewkesbury.
...
Castle Acre Priory founded
The Priory was founded by William de Warrene a Norman follower of William the Conqueror.
Sep 9
William the Conqueror Dies
Sep 9
William the Conqueror of England died at the abbey of St Gervais, near Rouen. [11]
Sep 26
William II (Rufus) crowned at Westminster
Sep 26
William Rufus was crowned at Westminster Abbey by Archbishop Lanfranc after the death of his father William the Conqueror.
See Also

1088

English Regnal years: 1 William II - 2 William II
 
Deaths

William (of Warenne, Earl of Surrey) ( - d.1088)

...
Refoundation of Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey was refounded by John de Villula and populated by Benedictine monks.
...
Earldom of Warwick created
The earldom of Warwick was created by William II and given to Henry de Beaumont. Henry de Beaumont changed his name to Newburgh.
...
Construction of Aber Lleiniog Castle
Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester, constructed the motte and bailey castle on the island of Anglesey.
...
Foundation of Blyth Priory
The Benedictine Blyth Priory was founded by Roger de Busli and was an alien house dependent on a foreign mother-house in France.
Feb
Revolt against William Rufus
Feb
Many Norman barons held land both in England and Normandy. With two opposing lords, William in England and Robert in Normandy, the barons were finding it difficult to know who to support. A revolt led by Odo sprung up in England with the aim of removing William from the throne. Odo's revolt in Kent and Sussex was supported by barons across the country. Roger Bigod from Norwich and Geoffrey of Coutances and Robert Mowbray from Bristol supported Odo. In Worcestershire Roger de Lacy captured Hereford and attacked Worcester. In the south-east Roger Montgomery at Arundel Robert of Mortain at Pevensey and Gilbert de Clare at Tonbridge also prepared to fight the King. Robert of Belleme, a Norman baron, who was able to bring support from Normandy. Robert also controlled castles in the Welsh Marches where the revolt also took place.
Mar
Urban becomes Pope
Mar
Urban II was elected Pope in 1088. His real name was Odo of Lagery and chose the name Urban when he became Pope. He had at first been a monk at the abbey at Cluny from 1070 and had become a prior there.
Spring
Worcestershire Rebellion put down
Spring
The Worcestershire rebellion led by Robert of Lacy was dealt with quickly by Wulfstan, the Bishop of Worcester, who called on those knights and local landowners still loyal to the King to defend Worcester. Many of the rebels were captured or killed. [12]
Spring
William Rufus calls for support
Spring
William Rufus had insufficient men at his disposal to deal with the rebellion in the south-east as there were too many ports to guard. The King called the representatives of the fyrd (the ordinary people of the country organised into an army) to a meeting in London where, with the support Lanfranc, he promised the people better laws and the removal of unfair taxes if they supported him against the rebels. The people agreed and together with the King they captured the castle at Tonbridge after a two day siege. [12]
Apr (to Jun)
Pevensey Castle siege
Apr (to Jun)
William Rufus lay siege to Pevensey Castle where Odo had taken shelter with Robert of Mortain. The siege lasted for six weeks. Robert, the Duke of Normandy, sent a force to support the rebels at Pevensey but they were unable to land because the King had made sure the ports were well guarded. Robert admitted defeat and withdrew his support for the rebels. Odo had little choice, other than that to starve, and surrendered to the King. Odo agreed to go to Rochester where he would convince the rebels to accept William Rufus as the rightful King of England.
May
William puts down the revolt
May
Odo was accompanied to Rochester Castle by an escort but When they reached the castle the rebels captured the escort and refused to accept William Rufus as their King. Again William called for the people of England to support him against the rebels and together they lay siege to the castle. Odo surrendered when it was agreed that those in the castle would have their lives spared if the they came out. Odo and the rebels were allowed to leave but their lands in England were taken from them. Odo went into exiled in Normandy.
See Also

1089

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

Eustace (III, Count of Boulogne) (b.1089 - d.1125)

 
Deaths

Lanfranc, (Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1005 - d.1089)

...
Serlo builds the crypt at Gloucester
Some seventeen years after taking his position at Gloucester, Serlo built the crypt.
May 24
Lanfranc dies
May 24
After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes.
Aug 11
Earthquake
Aug 11
An earthquake was felt across England. [13]
More Natural World Events
See Also

1090

English Regnal years: 3 William II - 4 William II
 
Births

Adelard (of Bath) (b.1090 - d.1160)

Bernard (of Clairvaux) (b.1090 - d.1153)

Theobald (of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1090 - d.1161)

 
Deaths

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

...
Lancaster Keep
Construction of keep at Lancaster Castle by Roger of Poitou. [14]
...
Construction of Pembroke Castle
A motte and bailey castle was built at Pembroke by Arnulf of Montgomery.
...
Construction of Caernarfon Castle
The first castle to be built at Caernarfon was constructed by Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester, in about 1090. He built a wooden motte and bailey castle.
...
William Rufus at Hastings Castle
William Rufus gathered the nobles and bishops at Hastings Castle to do him homage after he became king, showing how important this castle was during the early Norman years. [15]
Aug
Death of Constance, William's daughter
Aug
Constance died childless.
See Also

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Click to explore

1091

English Regnal years: 4 William II - 5 William II
...
Colchester Castle passes to Eudo
Once the threat from invasion had reduced, the castle was passed into the control of Eudo de Rie, who held the position of high steward.
...
Foundation of Binham Priory
Binham Priory was founded in Norfolk by Benedictine monks from St. Albans. (Possibly 1093). The priory was built on the lands of Peter de Valognes which were granted after the Norman Conquest.
Jan
William Rufus invades Normandy
Jan
King William II took an army into Normandy and attacked the army of his elder brother Robert Curthose, the Duke. William claimed some of Robert's lands after the brothers agreed to peace. One term of the agreement was that Edgar the Atheling should be expelled from Normandy as his potential claim to the English throne was a threat to William.
May
Malcolm III invades the North
May
The fourth major invasion into the north of England by Malcolm III started when the Scots began a siege of Durham. [16]
Aug
William Rufus takes an army north
Aug
The Normans, led by William Rufus, went north to deal with the Scots but a conflict was averted and a renewal of the treaty of Abernethy was agreed.
Oct
Violent storm hits London
Oct
London was hit by a terrible storm, possibly a tornado. Damage was done to the Tower of London, the old wooden London Bridge and many churches and buildings. Around the country storms destroyed steeples of churches, such as at Old Sarum.
More Natural World Events
Nov
William Rufus renews agreement with Scots
Nov
William Rufus renewed the arrangement that his father had with Malcolm III, King of the Scots. This may have included letting Malcolm have some areas of northern England. Even so this did not prevent further attacks on England in the north by the Scots. The negotiation of the peace between England and Scotland was assisted by Edgar the Atheling.  [17]
See Also

1092

English Regnal years: 5 William II - 6 William II
 
Births

Adelaide (of Savoy) (b.1092 - d.1154)

Fulk (V, of Anjou) (b.1092 - d.1143)

Sybilla (of Normandy) (b.1092 - d.1122)

...
Tewkesbury Abbey Founded
Robert FitzHamon, the cousin of William Rufus, together with Abbot Giraldus, founded the present Abbey at Tewkesbury.
...
Collegiate church founded at Carlisle.
A collegiate church was founded at this time at Carlisle and a Norman church was built.
...
Carlisle Collegiate church founded
Secular canons founded a collegiate church at Carlisle.
...
Work begins on Carlisle Cathedral
Work began on the nave and the southern transept. [3]
...
Old Sarum Cathedral completed and dedicated
The cathedral at Old Sarum was completed and dedicated to Blessed Virgin. The cathedral was damaged by a storm only five days after the dedication service and the roof destroyed. The location of the cathedral meant it exposed to the wind and the sermons were sometimes drowned out by the sound.
...
London fire
A year after the tornado that struck London, a great fire took hold in the city and did a large amount of damage.
...
Lincoln Cathedral consecrated
Two days after the death of Bishop Remigius who was instrumental in the building's construction the cathedral at Lincoln was consecrated.
See Also

1093

English Regnal years: 6 William II - 7 William II
 
Births

Conrad (III, Emperor of Germany) (b.1093 - d.1152)

 
Deaths

Eustace (II, Count of Boulogne) ( - d.1093)

Malcolm (III, Scottish King 1058-1093) (b.1031 - d.1093)

Margaret (of Wessex) ( - d.1093)

Tewdwr, Rhys ap ( - d.1093)

...
Durham Cathedral begun
Durham Cathedral was the first building in Western Europe with ribbed vaulting in the ceiling. [18]
...
Anselm Becomes Archbishop of Canterbury
Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 succeeding Lanfranc. The post of Archbishop of Canterbury had been held open by William Rufus so that he could collect for himself the church's income, but when William became ill and thought he was going to die he nominated Anselm as archbishop. Anselm died in 1109.
...
Benedictines take over at Chester
Chester was a strategic site after the Norman Conquest and the Saxon church there was taken over in 1093 by Benedictine monks.
...
Cardigan Castle built
The Norman baron, Roger de Montgomery, had a motte and bailey castle constructed at Cardigan as he attempted to control the Welsh.
...
Construction of Carlisle Castle
William Rufus ordered the construction of a castle at Carlisle because of the thrreat that the Scottish King Malcolm III posed.
Spring
William Rufus seriously ill
Spring
William fell ill early in this year and the illness was so serious that reports went out saying that he had died. William granted land to many religious houses in preparation for his death but when he recovered he claimed the land back. [13]
Aug
Malcolm III refuses William's request
Aug
A meeting was arranged between Malcolm III of Scotland and William II of England at Gloucester. It was here that William demanded that the failing peace between the two nations should be judged by the barons. Malcolm refused, returning to Scotland and raising an army.
Nov 13
Battle of Alnwick
Nov 13
Malcolm III, the king of Scotland, and his son Edward were both killed at the battle of Alnwick in Northumberland. Malcolm had invaded England after William II had made moves to take more control over Cumbria and had fortified Carlisle. The bodies of the Scottish king and his son where buried at Tynemouth Priory.
Nov 13
Donald Bane becomes king of Scotland
Nov 13
After Malcolm III and his eldest son Edward by his second marriage were killed near Alnwick Donald, Malcolm's brother, became the king of Scotland. Malcolm's family were forced into exiled in England. Malcolm had another son, Duncan, by his first wife. But Duncan was being held hostage at the court of William Rufus.
Nov 16
Death of Margaret of Scotland
Nov 16
Margaret of Scotland died only days after her son and husband had been killed at Alnwick.
See Also

1094

English Regnal years: 7 William II - 8 William II
 
Deaths

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

...
Battle Abbey reconsecrated
Building work at Battle Abbey was completed and the abbey reconsecrated by William Rufus.
...
See of Norwich bought by Hebert de Losinga
Herbert de Losinga purchased the see (seat of the bishop) for the area around Norwich. The bishops seat was at Thetford but Herbert moved it to Norwich itself before starting the construction of a new cathedral. [19]
...
Gruffudd ap Cynan
The castle of Abr Lleiniog was attacked and burned by Gruffudd ap Cynan.
...
Pedro becomes ruler of Aragon
Pedro, was the eldest son of Sancho and became ruler of Aragon after his father's death. Pedro ruled until 1104.
May
Duncan II becomes King of the Scots
May
Assisted by Norman knights and his half-brother Edmund, Duncan invaded Scotland to unseat his uncle Donald from the Scottish throne. The invasion succeeded and he became king in May. His reign only lasted until November when he was killed in battle and Donald retook the Scottish throne. Edmund sided with Donald at this time and was named as heir to the throne as the King had no children. It is possible that Edmund shared the rule of Scotland with Donald from 1094.
Nov
Donald III restored
Nov
Donald III was restored to the Scottish throne after the death of Duncan II. He shared the Scottish rule with his nephew Edmund.
See Also

1095

English Regnal years: 8 William II - 9 William II
 
Deaths

Robert (Count of Mortain) (b.1031 - d.1095)

Wulfstan (Bishop of Worcester) (b.1008 - d.1095)

...
Wulfstan dies
Wulfstan was bishop of Worcester. The location of his grave is not known.
...
Robert Mowbray's Rebellion
After attacking four merchant ships Robert Mowbray was called for by William Rufus to explain his actions. Instead Mowbray rose up in rebellion against the king along with other powerful Norman Barons. Mowbray chose the castle at Tynemouth as his base and converted the large enclosure into a strong fortification. The castle fell to William Rufus after a siege of two months. Mowbray managed to escape to Tynemouth church but was captured and made prisoner.
...
Monastery at Chester founded
Hugh 'Lupus' d'Avaranches, the first Earl of Chester, founded a monastery at Chester. Later to become Chester Cathedral. [20]
...
Erik I Ejegod becomes King of Denmark
...
A comet is seen
A comet was seen for several weeks with its tail pointing east.
More Natural World Events
Mar
The Council of Piacenza
Mar
At the Council of Piacenza a delegation visited Pope Urban II led by the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus to raise the problems he was having fighting the Muslims in the East. Pope Urban removed the excommunication that had been placed on the Emperor by Pope Gregory and promised to help.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Apr 11
Council at Rockingham
Apr 11
In the depths of a royal forest Rockingham Castle was chosen as the location for a council to discuss the major differences between King William and Archbishop Anselm.
Nov 27
The Council of Clermont
Nov 27
On the last day of the Council or Clemont Pope Urban II preached about the oppression being inflicted on the Christians in the Middle East by the Muslim Seljuks. Christian churches were being destroyed and Christians attacked. The Pope called for the Christians in the West to help.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
See Also

1096

English Regnal years: 9 William II - 10 William II
 
Births

Henry (of Blois, Bishop of Winchester) (b.1096 - d.1171)

...
Norwich Cathedral building begins
Work starts on Norwich Cathedral.
...
Building work on Alnwick castle begins
Building work on Alnwick Castle began.
...
Canterbury Choir, east transepts and crypt building work.
Canterbury Cathedral choir, east transepts and crypt building work. The works were undertaken by Ernulf, prior of the cathedral. Ernulf would later become Abbot of Peterborough. [3]
...
William buys Normandy
Robert of Normandy became under pressure from William Rufus who laid claim to Normandy. William was gaining support from some Norman barons and Robert took the opportunity to leave Normandy to answer Pope Urban II's call for a Crusade. Robert agreed that William could lease Normandy for three years for a sum of 10,000 marks. This money would help him fund the expedition.
Qtr 1 (to 1100)
Peter the Hermit's (or People's) Crusade
Qtr 1 (to 1100)
Following Pope Urban's speech at Clermont Peter the Hermit, a simple man with a powerful ability to move people by his words, started preaching for Christians to help their fellow Christians in the East. He started to gain a large number of followers eager to go to Jerusalem with promises of absolution and freedom from a life of hunger and depravation. His followers were poor, not prepared for the journey and not armed.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Apr
Peter the Hermit preaches in Cologne
Apr
On Holy Saturday, the 12th of April, Peter the Hermit arrived in Cologne and preached to the Germans for a Crusade. He was eager for some nobility to join his ranks as so far he had only attracted peasants including women and children. The French part of his army was led by Walter Sans Avoir. Walter was not wiliing to wait in Cologne and with a number of crusaders left to travel on to Hungary.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Qtr 2
Crusaders cause trouble
Qtr 2
Peter the Hermit's army of ordinary people was large and it needed feeding. One of the more noble members of the army was Walter Sans Avoir, also known as Walter the Penniless. When the army reached Cologne in April Peter decided to halt the army to take advantage of the good supply of food. Walter was impatient and with a small section of the army continued on. They passed through Hungary but at the town of Semlin a dispute broke out when some of his men stole food. When his men were refused food at Belgrade because the harvest had not yet been gathered Walter's army began pillaging the surrounding area. Finally Alexius Comnenus sent supplies and an escort to guard the Crusaders as they marched to Constantinople. The guard ensured that the Crusaders didn't cause any more trouble. [21]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
May
Massacre of Jews in Mainz
May
As the army of crusaders moved east they entered many Jewish communities. Many of the Westerners were unable to distinguish the Jews from Muslims and tensions arose. At first the Jews were able to move the army on with bribes but finally violence erupted. First at Speyer, and then in the city of Mainz the crusaders massacred indiscriminately. At Mainz the attackers were led by Count Emich of Leiningen, a German.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Aug 1
Peter reaches Byzantium
Aug 1
At Constantinople the Emperor Alexius welcomed Peter's army but there were too many people and no provision had been made for them. There was a general lack of discipline that resulted in repeated attacks and thefts from surrounding villages. Alexius warned Peter to wait for better trained troops to arrive before moving on but the pressure of the army was so great on Constantinople that they were forced to move before help could arrive.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Aug 6
The People's Crusades cross the Bosporus
Aug 6
The People's Crusaders were shipped across the Bosporus to a disused army base at Civetot. From there they attacked the surrounding areas but they had little affect.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Oct
Raymond starts his crusade
Oct
While the People's Crusade led by Peter the Hermit was being crushed in the Holy Land, preparations for the First Crusade carried on in Europe. Those leaders involved were Raymond of Toulouse, Hughes Count of Vermandois, Robert Count of Flanders, Robert Duke of Normandy and Etienne Count of Blois. The leaders arranged to meet at Constantinople and set off taking different routes. Some followed the path across Europe taken by Peter the Hermit, while others took a more southerly routes via the Alps and the Adriatic.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Oct
Hugh reaches Constantinople
Oct
Hugh of Vermandios was the first of the barons to reach Constantinople. His army had travelled via Italy and Greece using ships rather than across land like the other barons. [10]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Oct 21
The People's Crusaders massacred
Oct 21
The Turks attacked the People's Crusades in their base at Civetot and ended their Crusade.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
See Also

1097

English Regnal years: 10 William II - 11 William II
 
Deaths

Odo (Bishop of Bayeux) (b.1035 - d.1097)

...
Edgar Macmalcolm becomes king of the Scots
Edgar, the son of Malcolm III of Scotland, and his second wife Margaret of Wessex became the king of Scotland after taking the Scottish throne from Donald Bane. Edgar was assisted by an English army supplied by William Rufus in return for swaring fealty to the Englsih King. The army was led by Edgar the Atheling, Edgar's uncle.
...
Construction of Westminster Hall
William Rufus arranged the construction of a new hall outside of London near Westminster Abbey. Westminster Hall was the largest hall in England and designed, no doubt, to impress and somewhere to hold banquets, ceremonies and a place to celebrate the coronations that took place in the Abbey near by. The hall is the earliest surviving building on the site.
Apr
Crusaders reach Constantinople
Apr
When the crusaders arrived at Constantinople they were greeted by Emperor Alexius. The Emperor was happy for the crusaders to capture areas of the Holy Land but he wanted the land to be under his control. Alexius persuaded the Leaders of the crusaders to swear an oath of allegiance to him and to hand over the land they captured. They could however be allowed to live on and rule that land but not own it.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Apr
Crusaders advance on Nicaea
Apr
Kilij Arslan, the Seldjuk Sultan, after easily defeating the army of the People's Crusade underestimated the strength of the Crusaders who were in Constantinople. Arslan had trouble on his eastern borders and had taken his army away from Nicaea which he thought was protected well enough. When word reached him of the advance by the Crusaders on the city his army was too far away to prevent the start of the siege.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
May
Stephen of Blois at Constantinople
May
In late 1096, Stephen of Blois, his brother-in-law Robert Curthose, duke of Normandy, along with his cousin Robert, count of Flanders set out for the Holy Land. They reached Constantinople in May of 1097 and were warmly welcomed by Emporer Alexis. They then joined the main party of Crusaders and helped capture the city of Nicea.
May 6
Siege of Nicaea
May 6
The Crusaders began their campaign with a siege of the city of Nicaea. The walls of the city were several miles long and as it lay on the eastern shore of a large lake a section of the walls rose out of the water. The Crusaders surrounded the city but were unable to gain entry. Attempts at undermining the walls were unsuccessful. Towards the end of May the Turks attacked the Crusaders and inflicted heavy losses but were beaten back. When it was discovered the the city was getting supplies from across the lake the Emporer Alexius sent a number of boats to prevent any further shipments getting through. This was the final straw for the defenders inside the city and on June 19th moments before the Crusaders launched an attack they surrendered. But they did not surrender to the Crusaders but to the Emperor instead. This infuriated the Crusaders who were expecting a large haul of treasure from the city. Alexius treated the captured Turks well and allowed many to buy their own freedom. But the city was important for the Crusaders as control of it ensured they could not be attacked as they moved further east. [22]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jul 1
Battle of Dorylaeum
Jul 1
The Crusaders defeated an army led by Kilij Arslan, the Seljuk Sultan of Rum, who wanted revenge for the capture of Nicaea. In the battle many of the Crusaders were killed but the Turks were forced to flee and abandon their tents and treasure after being surprised by the arrival of a second Crusader army. After a couple of days rest the army continued south east but were short of water. At Heraclea a Turkish army was defeated and the Crusaders would the supplies they needed. [10]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Oct
The Crusaders reach Antioch
Oct
In October of 1097 the Crusaders had reached Antioch. The march had been long and difficult and many had died or deserted due to starvation, diseases and the very wet weather. At once they laid siege to the city. The Turks in the city were prepared and waited to be rescued. [22]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Oct 4
Comet
Oct 4
A star with a long tail was seen in the south-west. [13]
More Natural World Events
Oct 15
Anselm goes into exile
Oct 15
Conflicts between Archbishop Anselm and William Rufus resulted in the Archbishop leaving England and heading for Rome. William confiscated Anselm's land.
See Also

1098

English Regnal years: 11 William II - 12 William II
...
Treaty with Magnus III of Norway
A treaty was signed between Edgar, King of Scotland, and King Magnus III of Norway agreeing that the northern territories of Scotland including the Hebrides belonged to Norway.
...
Abbey of Citeaux founded
The abbey of Citeaux in Burgundy was founded by Robert of Mosleme. The abbey did not prosper until around 1113 when Stephen Harding became abbot and a couple of years later St. Bernard became the abbot of Clairvaux its daughter house. The abbey of Citeaux was the start of the massively important Cistercian Order. [23]
Feb 13
London Bridge washed away
Feb 13
London Bridge was washed away by a flood in this year. [24]
May
Stephen of Blois deserts the Crusade
May
At the end of May, after a hard winter where the Crusaders has made no real gains, Stephen of Blois decided to abandon the Crusade and return home. He assumed that the Crusaders would not succeed and his excuse was that he was ill. But the Crusaders did succeed and in June, the city of Antioch fell. By the tiime he had returned to France, news of his desertion had already arrived.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jun 3
Antioch falls to the Crusaders
Jun 3
The siege of Antioch was ended not by force but by betrayal. A hand full of Crusaders climbed a ladder into the city and simply opened the gates from the inside. The hoard of the Christian army surged into the city killing anyone or anything in their way. The destruction was brutal and no mercy was shown. As soon as the Crusaders were in the city the situation changed. Outside a Moslem army arrived and in turn besieged the city. Some Crusaders managed to escape over the walls and flee but the majority were trapped without food in the city. [22]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jun 28
The Crusaders fight back
Jun 28
Spurred on by the find of the Spear of Longinus, the spear that was supposed to have pierced Jesus on the cross, the Crusaders emerged from the city of Antioch to face the Moslems. The Moslems were defeated, many being killed and many fleeing. After the battle the ownership of the city was disputed. Bohemund and Raymond of Toulouse argued over its possession and after several months of debate Raymond accepted Bohemund's right to it. In truth, the city should have been handed over to Emporer Alexius. [22]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
See Also

1099

English Regnal years: 12 William II - 13 William II
 
Deaths

Donald (III, Scottish King 1094-1097) (b.1032 - d.1099)

Urban (II, Pope 1088-99) (b.1035 - d.1099)

...
Nave at Durham constructed
Construction of the nave at Durham Cathedral began in 1099 and lasted until 1128. [3]
...
Flambard is made Bishop of Durham
Ranulf Flambard is made the Bishop of Durham by William Rufus.
...
Paschal II becomes Pope
...
Goodwin Sands
The sea rose in many places around England and Scotland and an area of land of Kent that belonged to Earl Godwin was covered in sand. The name being corrupted to Goodwin Sands.
More Natural World Events
...
Alberic elected abbot at Citeaux
After Robert of Molesme left in 1099 (or 1100), the remaining monks of Cîteaux elected Alberic as their abbot, under whose leadership the abbey would find its grounding. Robert had been the idealist of the order, and Alberic was their builder. Upon assuming the role of abbot, Alberic moved the site of the fledgling community near a brook a short distance away from the original site. Alberic discontinued the use of Benedictine black garments in the abbey and clothed the monks in white habits of undyed wool. Alberic forged an alliance with the Dukes of Burgundy, working out a deal with Duke Odo I of Burgundy concerning the donation of a vineyard (Meursault) as well as materials for building the abbey church, which was consecrated on 16 November 1106 by the Bishop of Chalon sur Saône. [25]
Jan 13
The march to Jerusalem continues
Jan 13
After a delay of many months the crusaders under the leadership of Raymond of Toulouse left Antioch and headed south towards Jerusalem. [10]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jan 22
The Crusaders reach Masyaf
Jan 22
The Crusader army reached Masyaf, where a treaty was agreed. The Crusaders agreed to continue their march rather than capture or destroy the town. [26]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jan 23
Supplies found at Rafaniye
Jan 23
The Crusaders entered the deserted town of Rafaniye that provided them with much needed supplies. They stayed their for a few days before moving on into the Buqaia valley. On the site of the future Krak de Chevaliers castle, was an old, run-down fort. The locals had moved all of their livestock into the ruins and when the Crusaders approached let them out to create a diversion. In the confusion the locals escaped before the Crusaders took the fort. [26]
Feb 17
Tortosa falls to the Crusaders
Feb 17
Count Raymond sent a small part of his army to attack the port of Tortosa, now called Tartus, on the Syrian coast. The Criusaders lit many fires around the port to make believe their number was greater than it was. Fooled by the deception, the governor of the port, and his garrison, fled by sea leaving the port open for the Crusaders to capture. The port was strategically important and a boost to the Crusaders' success. [26]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jun
The Crusaders reach Jerusalem
Jun
A year after their victory at Antioch the remaining Crusaders finally reached Jerusalem, their goal. They camp outside of the city and begin a siege. [27]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jul 15
Crusaders take Jerusalem
Jul 15
The Crusaders capture Jerusalem. When they ended the siege and entered the city they murdered non-Christians including Muslims and Jews and forced many to leave. [18]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jul 22
Godfrey of Bouillon chosen
Jul 22
A week after Jeruslam was captured by the Crusaders Godfrey of Bouillon was chosen as its first ruler.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Jul 29
Death of Pope Urban II
Jul 29
The driving force behind the capture of Jerusalem, Pope Urban II, died just weeks after the city had fallen.
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Aug 12
Battle of Ascalon
Aug 12
The last battle of the First Crusade was fought between the Christians and Muslims at Ascalon. Led by Godfrey of Bouillon, the king of Jerusalem, the heavily out-numbered Christian army used their heavy armour to good affect. The Muslim army consisted mainly of Egyptians intent of driving the Christians out of Jerusalem. [18]
Episode: The People's Crusade and First Crusade [highlight all]
Aug 13
Paschal II becomes Pope
Aug 13
Paschal was elected as Pope following the death of Urban II. He may have been a monk at the Abbey of Cluny before becoming a cardinal.
See Also

1100

English Regnal years: 13 William II - 1 Henry I
 
Births

Adrian (IV, Pope) (b.1100 - d.1159)

Stephen (of Blois, king of England 1135-1154) (b.1100 - d.1154)

 
Deaths

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

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

...
Carisbrooke Castle given to de Redvers
Henry I granted the ownership of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight to Richard de Redvers a Norman nobleman.
...
Construction of Carew Castle
Gerard of Windsor built a motte and bailey castle on the Daugleddau creek in south Wales around this time. The land on which the castle was built was given to Gerard when he married Princess Nest. The castle is called Carew Castle. [28]
...
Theodoric became the Antipope
...
Construction of Restormel Castle
In around 1100 a castle was built at Restormel by the Norman Baldwin Fitz Turstin.
...
Abelard arrives in Paris
Abelard arrived in Paris where he soon became a teacher at the school of Notre-Dame.
Jul 13
Abbey Church at Gloucester dedicated
Jul 13
The abbey church at Gloucester built by Abbot Serlo was dedicated by Samson the Bishop of Worcester, Gundulph the Bishop of Rochester and Harvey Bishop of Bangor.
Jul 18
Godfrey of Bouillon dies
Jul 18
Godfrey of Bouillon died just a year after the crusaders had captured Jerusalem. Agreeing who should succeed Godfrey as ruler of Jerusalem was not easy. The head of the Church in Jerusalem, Dagobert of Pisa, claimed that the Church itself should rule and as he was its representative he should have the job. Godfrey's brother, Baldwin of Edessa, had other ideas and travelled to Jerusalem with an army to claim the throne. [29]
Aug
William buried at Winchester
Aug
William Rufus was buried under the tower of Winchester Cathedral. The tower fell down either in 1101 or 1107. The cause was blamed on the wickedness of the King's bones but was probably due to poor construction or uncertain foundations.
Qtr 3
Anselm recalled from exile
Qtr 3
Henry I had no quarrels with Anselm, the exiled archbishop, and invited him to return from exile and take back his position at Canterbury.
Aug 2
William II (Rufus) is killed while hunting
Aug 2
William Rufus was killed while hunting in the New Forest. He was succeeded by Prince Henry, his younger brother, who became King Henry I. [18]
Aug 5
Henry I succeeds
Aug 5
King Henry I was crowned king at Westminster Abbey. [30]
Nov 11
Henry I marries Matilda of Scotland
Nov 11
King Henry I of England married Matilda of Scotland, daughter of Malcolm III and sister of Edgar, the King of the Scots. The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey. [18]
Dec 25
Baldwin I becomes king of Jerusalem
Dec 25
Supported by an army of over a thousand men, Baldwin claimed the throne of Jerusalem. Baldwin of Edessa was Godfrey's brother and he claimed the throne as his heritage. Baldwin was crowned on Christmas Day at Bethlehem.
See Also

Timeline Navigation

 

Selection of references used:

  • 1: E.B.D'Auvergne, The English Castles, 1926, T.Werner Laurie Ltd. (1926)
  • 2: J. C. Curtis B.A., School and College History of England, 1860
  • 3: John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961, Batsford (1961)
  • 4: Richard Muir, Old Yorkshire, ISBN:0-7181-2847-8
  • 5: H.R.Burrows M.A., Pictorial History of Hereford Cathedral, Pitkin 'Pride of Britain' book, Geoff Bath
  • 6: James Forde-Johnston, Great Medieval Castles of Britain
  • 7: BBC Publication, Background to the Crusades, printed by The Broadwater Press Ltd, Welwyn Garden City
  • 8: Mike Salter, Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower, ISBN:1-871731-61-5
  • 9: T. Wise & G.A. Embleton, Armies of the Crusades, ISBN:0-85045-125-6, Shaun Parry
  • 10: Z.N. Brooke, A History of Europe
  • 11: David Bates, William the Conqueror, ISBN:0-540-01175-4, Central Lending Library
  • 12: H.W.C.Davis, England under the Normans and Angevins, 1949
  • 13: A.F.Scott, The Norman Age, 1976, Scott & Finley Ltd (1976)
  • 14: Colin Platt, Medieval England, ISBN:0-7100-8815-9
  • 15: -, Historical and Descriptive Account of Hastings Castle
  • 16: Michael Lynch, Scotland A New History, 2004, ISBN:0-7126-9893-0
  • 17: J.D. Mackie, A History of Scotland, 1978, ISBN:0-7139-1206-5, Penguin Books (1978), Harborne Library
  • 18: Alan & Veronica Palmer, Pimlico Chronology of Britsh History, ISBN:0-7126-7331-8
  • 19: G H Cook, English Cathedrals through the centuries
  • 20: T. Francis Bumpus, The Cathedrals of England and Wales, 1934
  • 21: Alfred Duggan, The Story of the Crusades
  • 22: J.D.Griffith Davies, England in the Medieval Ages, 1928
  • 23: M.R.James, Abbeys, 1925, The Great Western Railway (1925)
  • 24: William Toone, The Chronological Historian, 1828
  • 25: Tobin, Stephen, The Cistercians: Monks and Monasteries in Europe, ISBN:ISBN1-871569-80-X, The Herbert Press, LTD (1995), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistercians
  • 26: Steven Runciman, The First Crusade
  • 27: C.H.Frith, Cromwell, 1935, Mackays Limited Chatham (1935)
  • 28: Mike Salter, Castles of South-West Wales
  • 29: Edward Burman, The Templars, Knights of God, ISBN:0-85030-396-6, Erdington Library (271.79)
  • 30: Preston Williams, Illustrations of Masonry