The Norman Invasion of England

Edward the Confessor Dies

Jan 5, 1066

The Anglo-Saxon King, Edward the Confessor dies childless. According to Norman historians, Edward promised to make his distant Norman cousin William, the Duke of Normandy, his heir. However, Harold Godwinson, Edward's brother in law, was proclaimed king instead. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-king-of-England-1002-1066/images-videos

The Norman Invasion of England

Period: Jan 5, 1066 to 1073

The purpose of this timeline is to illustrate the near decade long conflict of the Norman invasion of England

Coronation of Harold II

Jan 6, 1066

King Harold II, formerly Harold Godwinson, was crowned King of England at St Paul’s Cathedral When news of Harold's ascension reached Normandy, William immediately challenges his claim and organizes an invasion force. News also reached the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada, who was a descendant of the King of Denmark Hardicanute, who was king of England in 1042. Hardrada too assembles an invasion force to challenge Harold's claim.

Harald Hardrada Invades England

Sep 8, 1066

Harald and his forces crosses the North Sea from Norway and lands at the mouth of the River Tyne. Tostig Godwinson, Harold's exiled brother, join forces with King Harald and invade England from Scotland.

Battle of Fulford

Sep 20, 1066

The invasion force under Harald Hardrada and Tostig met an English army led by Earl Morcar of Northumbria and Earl Edwin of Mercia at Fulford and defeated them. This was a major crisis for Harold II, who was forced to march his army north to fight off the Norwegian invasion.

The City of York Falls

Sep 24, 1066

Right after his victory in Fulford, Hardrada marches his army to the city of York, capturing it four days later. https://www.intriguing-history.com/battle-fulford-gate-1066/

Battle of Stamford Bridge

Sep 25, 1066

Harold II's army reaches the north and surprises Hardrada's and Tostig's army, completely unprepared for battle as they rested outside York. Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed in battle and their armies decimated. The Norwegians losses were so severe that only 24 ships from the fleet of over 300 were needed to carry the survivors away. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/The-Battle-of-Stamford-Bridge/

The Normans Set Sail for England

Sep 27, 1066

Upon hearing Harold II and his forces are forced up north, William sets sail for England.

The Norman Invasion Begins

Sep 28, 1066

William and his forces land at Pevensey on the South of England and begins marching towards Hastings.

Harold II and his Forces Marches South

Oct 1, 1066

Harold II's weakened army marches south to face William's forces.

Battle of Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

Harold II's forces met William's near Hastings. Both armies were evenly matched, but eventually the English defensive shield wall finally broke by the Normans feigning retreats. William orders a volley of arrows on Harold II's forces behind the shield wall, killing Harold II. William emerges victorious with Harold II dead along with most of the leading Saxon nobles. https://www.history.com/news/the-950-year-old-battle-that-changed-the-way-you-talk

Edgar Aetheling is Declared King of England

Oct 15, 1066

With Robert II dead, the Witan proclaims Edgar Aetheling the new King of England.

William Marches North

Oct 20, 1066

Upon hearing Edgar Aetheling's ascension, William realizes the English nobles were not going to submit to him. He leaves Hastings with his troops and marches north.

Edgar Surrenders

Dec 10, 1066

Edgar Aetheling and the English nobility submit to William, surrendering London and the kingdom without any bloodshed.

William I's Coronation

Dec 25, 1066

William was crowned William I in Westminster Abbey, the burial place of Edward the Confessor. https://www.normandythenandnow.com/harlette-or-was-that-harlot-of-falaise/

Land Distributions to Norman Nobles

1067

William I begins to distribute English lands to Norman nobles that came with him from Normandy and fought at the Battle of Hastings.

Edgar Aetheling's Rebellion

1069

After initially failing to capture York, Edgar Aetheling allies himself with Sweyn of Denmark and they capture the city together. William I marches up to York, pays off the Danes, and defeat the rebels. This event ignites the Harrying of the North, a number of campaigns waged by William I in the winter of 1069–70 to subjugate northern England.

Treaty of Abernethy

1072

William I rode north and forced Malcolm III of Scotland to sign the Treaty of Abernethy. Malcolm III paid homage to William I and acknowledged him as his feudal lord. In return for swearing allegiance to William I, Malcolm III was to be given estates in Cumbria. William I also took Malcolm’s son, Duncan, as a political hostage.

William I Returns to Normandy

1073

William returns back to Normandy, leaving a relatively secured England to his supporters.