Medieval Governments

Edward The confessor

Jan 1, 1066

Edward the Confessor dies. Harold gambles and makes a bid for the Crown, supported by all the magnates of England. William does nothing, despite the so-called

Tostig

Mar 1, 1066

Tostig comes to Flanders looking for aid in his projected bid against Harold. Whether he makes a deal with William is a moot point, but certainly William sees this as his chance to invade.

Harold the King

May 1, 1066

•May 1066: Tostig makes an abortive attempt to invade England. Harold calls out the English levy (the fyrd) to defend against an expected thrust from William, but it never comes.

the eve conquest

Sep 1, 1066

Harold answers by scraping together a scratch force made up largely of his own house Carl's to race to the North.

The Eve Conquest

Sep 12, 1066

By 12th October, he is back in London and gathering what forces he could to face William.

The Eve Conquest

Sep 20, 1066

•20th September 1066: After sailing up the Ouse with more than 10,000 men in 200 longships, Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeat the hastily assembled forces of Earls Edwin & Morcar at Fulford outside York.

The Eve conquest

Sep 25, 1066

Harold responds by scraping together a scratch force made up largely of his own housecarls and personal followers, and racing north.

The Eve Conquest

Sep 28, 1066

Having sailed his fleet to St Valery sur Somme, William waits for the wind to be in the right direction.

The Eve Conquest

Oct 1, 1066

While at York, Harold learns of William's landing. He marches back down Ermine Street, stopping to pray at Waltham Abbey (which he had founded) on the way.

Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

Harold takes up a position blocking the Norman advance to London on Senlac Ridge at the site of Battle with an army of little more than 5,000 weary and footsore men.