English History 1042-1066

Edward assumes the thrown

Jun 8, 1042

• In 1041, Harthacnut invited Edward back to England
• Did this in order to have a heir available (he did not have long to live
• Edward was sworn in as king alongside Harthacnut
• Following Harthacnut's death, Godwine (Earl of Wessex) supported Edward

-Called Edward the Confessor because he went to church often to confess his sins

Edward marries Edith

Jan 23, 1045

-Edward marries her to gain support from the Earl of Wessex, a powerful noble -Edward, a very religious man, never consummates his marriage, so the couple does not have any kids

Edward exiles Godwine (Earl of Essex)

Jan 1, 1051

(Month and Date are N/A)
-The people of Dover engage in a brawl with a visiting court from France -Edward asks Godwine to punish them, but he doesn't, so Edward exiles him and his family

Edward promises William the Throne

Jan 1, 1051

(Month and Date are N/A)

• William claimed that he was the rightful heir to the throne of England, despite the fact that he was not English
• He visited England in 1051 and claimed that Edward promised him the throne when he died

-William was the Duke of Normandy. His blood relation to Edward was that his great aunt was Edward's mother -He is called William the Bastard because his parents weren't married when they had him. He will later be called Willliam the Conqueror

Godwine Rebels, Edward gives him land, Regains power

Jan 1, 1052

• Godwine returns to England with strong army with a lot of support including a navy and enlisted peasants
• Fearing a civil war, Edward is forced to succumb to Godwine's demands
• These include return of land, prominence, and exile of Norman nobles
• Event shows power struggle between Godwine and Edward

Godwine dies, succeded by Harold Godwinson

Apr 15, 1053

-Harold succeeds Godwine, the Earl of Wessex following his death in 1053 -He becomes the most powerful noble and likely heir since Edward has no heir -His claim to throne is that he is Edward's brother-in-law

Relation to Macbeth

Dec 19, 1058

-Macbeth kills Duncan, becomes king, and exiles Malcom -Malcom goes to Edward's court and pleads for soldiers -With the help of Edward's men, Malcom is able to defeat and kill Macbeth to become the next king. -This is the tragedy of the book -Also, has a rivalry for a throne and the murder of others to obtain it.

King of Wales raids England

Jan 1, 1062

(Month and Date are N/A)

• Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was the next ruler to be able to unite most of the Welsh kingdoms
• Originally king of Gwynedd, by 1055 he was ruler of almost all of Wales and had annexed parts of England around the border
• Gruffyd continued to continue his influence by invading England
• He was defeated by Harold Godwinson in 1063 and killed by his own men

William insures he will get the thrown

Jan 1, 1064

(Month and Date are N/A)

• William claimed that Harold had pledged allegiance to him in 1064
• William had rescued the shipwrecked Harold from the count of Ponthieu
• Together they had defeated Conan II, Duke of Brittany
• William had knighted Harold, and makes him swear over holy relics, bones of a dead saint, that Harold will allow William to be the next king of England.

Edward finishes Westminster Abbey

Dec 25, 1065

-Edward spent the years from 1060-1065 building this magnificent church, while his nobles, including, Harold ruled over England

• Located west of London
• Place where kings will be crowned
• Built originally under with a Gothic style
• Large space between the high alter and the beginning of the quire, this is to allow presentations and act like a theater

Edward the Confessor dies

Jan 5, 1066

• Died because of long-lasting sickness
• Buried in Westminster Abbey

-Overall, reign was prosperous. England was relatively peaceful and trade was bountiful -On death bed, supposedly promises Harold the throne, which tremendously enhances Harold claim to throne

Harold Earl of Wessex becomes King of England

Jan 6, 1066

• Harold Godwinson became king of England shortly after the death of Edward the Confessor
• He was most likely coronated at the Westminster Abbey

Other Claims to Throne

Jan 6, 1066

-Viking in north, King Harald thinks he should be king because the Danes once ruled England -There is only one male member left of royal dynasty, Edgar. He is Edward's half-brother's son. The problem is he is only 15 years old. -Who do you think should be crowned as king of England?

Norman Mission to Rome

Apr 1, 1066

• Went to seek approval with Holy Relics, successful mission
• Strengthens claim for the thrown and gets God on his side

Battle Preperation

Jul 1, 1066

-King Harold, well aware of incoming invasion, gathers troops in the south of England -Recruits a lot of men, but waits a long time for an invasion that does not come. Some men were only enlisted for a few months and food supplies run low -William in the north of France gathers men from a myriad of countries -Gathers huge fleet of ships, but cannot set sail because of unfavorable winds

The Stamford Bridge Battle

Sep 25, 1066

• The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place at the village of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, England
• Between an English army under King Harold Godwinson and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada and the English King's brother, Tostig Godwinson
• After a horrific battle, both Hardrada and Tostig along with the majority of the Norwegians were killed. This battle has traditionally been presented as symbolizing the end of the Viking Age

Duke William lands on the coast of England

Sep 28, 1066

• Duke William landed on the coast of England in late September of 1066
• He stays where he is at and waits for Harold to come to him. They will eventually battle in a town called Hastings

-The battle events are depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry

Battle of Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

William waits for Harold to return from the north after his battle with the Vikings. His troops are very fatigued. -Normand: archers English: shield wall English hold up after a series of attacks and the Normans retreat. However, the English start chasing the Normans down the hill. This breaks up to the shield wall, so now the Normans are able to go through the English and kill Harold to win the battle. William is now extremely close to being first Norman king of England

Duke William is crowned King of England

Dec 25, 1066

-Before this could happen, William had to defeat Edgar who had been previously crowned -In early December, William defeats Edgar's supporters, and Edgar relinquishes the crown.

• Took place at Westminster Abbey. Archbishop Alred crowns him

-Start of feudalism in England