| Date |
Event |
| 1063 |
An army led by both Tostig Godwinsson (Earl of Northumbria) and
Harold Godwinsson (Earl of Wessex) defeats King Griffith ap Llewellyn
of Wales for King Edward of England. |
| 1064 |
As an envoy of King Edward, Harold Godwinnsson travels to Normandy
and meets with Duke William. Harold is shipwrecked and alleged at
William's mercy. In order to protect himself he makes an oath of fealty
to aid William in any future pursuit of the English crown. |
| 1065 |
Northumbria rebels against Tostig and he is forced to flee to Flanders
with his family. Morkere Aelfgarsson is confirmed as the new Earl
by King Edward. |
| Dec. 24th 1065 |
Realising that King Edward is about to die, Harold summons his brothers
Gyrth and Leofwine, along with the Aelfgarssons (Morkere, Earl of
Northumbria and Edwin, Earl of Mercia) to ask their support in his
claim to the crown when the time comes. The Aelfgarsson's agree only
on the condition that Harold marries their sister Lady Alditha (widow
of King Griffith ap Llewellyn), so that the Aelfgarsson line will
have a future claim on the throne. |
| Dec. 28th 1065 |
King Edward's health is fast declining and Harold accepts the Aelfgarsson's
deal. King Edward summons Harold in the evening and tells him that
he will be responsible for the Queen and the Kingdom when Edward is
dead, i.e. King. This is done in front of the Queen and many clergymen,
including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Stigand. |
| Jan. 5th 1066 |
King Edward dies. |
| Jan. 6th 1066 |
King Edward is buried, and Harold is proclaimed King of England
by the Witan. A witness to this finds a ship and crew and flees to
Normandy to inform William. |
| Jan. 9th 1066 |
William finds out about Harold being crowned. |
| Spring 1066 |
Leading an army of mercenaries, Tostig raids along the southern
adn eastern coats of England. |
| June 1066 |
Tostig makes an alliance with Harald Hardrada (King of Norway and
also Kinfolk, see K:UH, p106). to attempt to overthrow Harold. |
| July 1066 |
William moves to quarters at the mouth of the River Dives to oversee
the assembly of his invasion fleet and army. |
| Sept. 7th 1066 |
The combined armies of Harald Hardrada and Tostig invade England
on the east coast. |
| Sept. 15th 1066 |
Hardrada and Tostig sack and burn Scarbrough. |
| Sept. 20th 1066 |
Harald and Tostig defeat the combined fyrds of Northumbria and Mercia
at the battle of Gate Fulford. |
| Sept. 25th 1066 |
Harald and Tostig are defeated by Harold Godwinsson at the battle
of Stamford Bridge. Hardrada and Tostig are both slain in the battle. |
| Sept. 28th 1066 |
William and his army land at Pevensey. |
| Oct. 14th 1066 |
Harold meets William at Hastings and is defeated after a day long
battle. |
| Dec. 25th 1066 |
William is crowned King of England. |