1066 - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1066 was a year which brought great changes in England. The land had four kings during the year. The year started under Anglo-Saxon rule, and ended under Norman rule. This was the only occasion since Roman Britain when the entire country was successfully invaded.

There were four kings during the year: Edward the Confessor (to 5 January 1066), Harold Godwinson (to 14 October 1066), Edgar the Ætheling (to 10 December 1066), and finally William I, Duke of Normandy.

Events[change | change source]

• 6 January – Harold II crowned King of England
• 25 September – Harold II defeats Tostig and Harald Hardraada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Tostig and Harald Hardraada are killed
• 14 October – At the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy) defeats Harold. Harold is killed. In England, this heralds the start of the Middle Ages.

• The Viking port of Hedeby, a town on the Baltic Sea, is destroyed by Slavs.

Deaths[change | change source]

• 4 or 5 January – King Edward the Confessor of England dies
• 25 September – killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge:
  • King Harald III of Norway (b. 1015)
  • Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria
• 14 October – killed at the Battle of Hastings:
  • King Harold II of England
  • Leofwine Godwinson, brother of King Harold II
  • Gyrth Godwinson, brother of King Harold II

• John Scotus (bishop of Mecklenburg (Johannes Skotus) (born around 990)
  • 10 November – Sacrificed to Radegast: