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Period: Jan 1, 1060 to Jan 5, 1066
Edward The Confessor's Reign
A respected law maker
A highly religious individual hence 'Confessor' -
1064
Harold's embassy to Normandy
Norman story - Harold takes an oath to help William become king -
1065
Rising against Tostig and him being exiled
Causes:
- Tostig was a southerner and didn't fit in
- Tostig taxed Northumbria too heavily
- Tostig was unjust and abused his power
Overall he was highly resented by Northumbria -
1066
Succession Crisis
Edward left no heir to the throne as he had no children
There were 4 contestants for the throne:
- Egard the Aethling | Only 14 years old | nephew to Edward
- Harold Godwinson | Chosen by Witan |
- Harald Hardrada | Viking | King of Norway
- William of Normandy | Claimed to have been promised the throne -
1066
William's march on London
After seeing the earls weren't going to submit, William set out on a march, destroying homes and farms, trying to use fear to gain power.
William marched all the way to Berkhamstead where he was met by Edgar Aethling, Edwin and Morcar.
They all submitted to William, offering him the crown. -
Period: Jan 6, 1066 to Oct 14, 1066
Harold Godwinson's Reign
Appointed by the Witan
Harold Godwinson was the most powerful earl before Edward's death
Harold was Earl of Wessex -
Sep 20, 1066
Battle of Gate Fulford
Harald Hardrada + Tostig attack England and win
Harald and Tostig set up camp at Stamford Bridge -
Sep 25, 1066
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Harold Godwinson marches his army north to suprise Hardrada and Tostig
Harald Hardrada + Tostig are unprepared
Harold Godwinson loses a third of his troops and his army is left weakened -
Sep 28, 1066
Normans land at Pevensey Bay
They instantly build a castle to secure their position
They wait for Harold Godwinson to arrive -
Oct 14, 1066
Battle of Hastings
Harold forms a shield wall
Normans perform a feigned retreat causing English soldiers to break formation
Norman soldiers turn back around to kill English soldiers
Harold Godwinson dies (supposedly shot in eye) -
Period: Dec 25, 1066 to Sep 9, 1087
William the Conqueror's Reign
William was ruthless and pursued a strategy of detruction and creating fear
He built Motte and Bailey castles to hold power
Created marcher earldoms to reward followers and protect England from a Welsh attack -
1068
Revolt of Edwin and Morcar
Caused because of Edwin and Morcar losing part of their earldoms and resentment against high tax
They were joined by Edgar Aethling
Revolt was quickly crushed, Edgar escaped to Scotland and Edwin and Morcar were pardoned -
1069
Rebellions of the North
Earl of Northumbria, Robert Cumin was killed
Edgar Aethling supported the revolt -
1069
Harrying of the North
Caused by Robert Cumin's death (Earl of Northumbria)
William burned towns and murdered people
He put salt in the ground so that crops do not grow
Many fled from the North and some even turned to cannibalism -
1070
Lanfranc replaces Stigand as Archbishop of Canterbury
Stigand was corrupt because of:
Nepotism - Favouring relatives when giving jobs
Pluralism - Having more than one job
Simony - Taking money for granting jobs
- Lanfranc was also Regent for William I -
1070
Revolt of Hereward the Wake
At Ely (Swampy Wetlands)
Hereward escaped while Morcar was imprisoned for life -
1075
Revolt of the Earls
Who:
- Waltheof | Earl of Northumbria | Ango-Saxon | Informed Lanfranc of the planned revolt | Aimed to get Anglo-Saxon support
- Ralph de Gael | Earl of East Anglia |
- Roger de Breteuil | Earl of Hereford | Son of William FitzOsbern
Overall the revolt failed as Danish support arrived too late, there was little Anglo-Saxon support, and Waltheof telling Lanfranc of the revolt.
- Waltheof was imprisoned the executed
- Roger was imprisoned for life
- Ralph escaped to Britanny -
1077
William I's son (Robert Curthose) rebels against him
Robert's two younger brothers (William Rufus and Henry) played a prank on him
William I did not punish the two younger brothers and Robert decided to raise an army against his father. -
1082
Bishop Odo Imprisoned
For raising troops without royal permission -
1085
William orders Domesday Book surveys
No other European country had made such detailed surveys of landholding. This showed the power William had.
It may have been made so William gets more money from his tenants
William feared a Viking invasion and wanted to see how many extra soldiers each tenant-in-chief could bring -
1087
Odo is pardoned by William on his death bed
No description. -
Sep 9, 1087
Succession dispute
Usually the eldest son would be the heir to the throne. However, William chose William Rufus to be king of England and Robert Curthose to be Duke of Normandy. -
Sep 26, 1087
William Rufus crowned king
No description. -
1088
Odo leads a rebellion against William Rufus
He supported Robert Curthose's claim to the Throne
And thought he could be more easily controlled
Odo hoped Robert Curthose would assist him in the rebellion, but help never came and Odo was forced to surrender