Anglo-Saxon and Norman England

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England timeline

Timeline:

410 AD- Romans leave Britain

Romans leave Britain due to fighting in Europe, allowing the Anglo-Saxons to gain the rule of England. They split up the country into different earldoms, Mercia, Northumberland, Kent, East Anglia, Wessex.

1042-  Edward the Confessor

Edward the confessor becomes king of England, ruling with a heavy focus on religion. His predecessor was from the Danelaw, a Viking king Harthacnut

1053-  Godwin Earl of Wessex dies

Godwin the earl of Wessex (richest and most important Earldom) dies, leaving behind the opportunity for his children to rise into power, the Godwin Family quickly becomes the most powerful in the country. Harold Godwinson becomes earl of Wessex, Tostig the earl of Northumbria, Leofwine the earl of Kent, Gyrth the earl of East Anglia, and even Edith (daughter of Godwin) marries Edward the Confessor. With such a huge spread of influence the family were near in equal power to the king (being involved with the Witan too), this meant they posed a threat to the throne if they chose to hold a rebellion (they do not).

1064-  Harold Godwinson’s embassy

Harold Godwinson is sent on an embassy to Normandy by Edward the Confessor, he is supposed to sail straight to Normandy and talk with William the Duke of Normandy, however his boat goes off course and he is taken prisoner in Ponthieu, until William rescues him. Harold Godwinson then swears a holy oath with William on Edwards behalf, William then argues that Edward did this to swear the throne to him following his demise.

1065-  Revolt against Tostig

Northumbria revolts against their Earl, Tostig Godwinson due to his unfair treatment, lack of understanding towards the Danelaw (the northern section of England that has Viking traditions and influence throughout) and high taxes. One of the final straws for the Northumbrians was when Tostig allowed Malcom King of the Scots to Invade in 1061, he did not fight back with the large army available to him (through the Knight service). Edward the Confessor requested that the other earls stop the rebellion, but they refused, allowing Tostig to be lose his earldom, this resulted in him being forced into exile (where he wound up with Harold Hardrada). Harold Godwinson was more concerned with making his brother lose the ability to challenge for the throne when King Edward finally dies.

5^th January 1066-  Succession Crisis

Edward the Confessor dies, around his death bed is Stigand (archbishop), his wife and Harold Godwinson, he died without any heirs to inherit the throne. The Witan unsurprisingly chose Harold to be the new king and he was crowned on the 6^th January 1066, he claimed that on his deathbed Edward had promised Harold the crown. He immediately faced challenges with his reign, his brother Tostig wanted revenge and had ruined the Danelaw-Godwinson relationship, he also faced the threat from the other 3 throne claimants. The other three were, Edgar the Aethling (the only blood relative to Edward the…