3 April
Edward the Confessor (1003 – 5 January 1066) was among the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England, and usually considered the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066. Continue reading “1043 – Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England”
6 January
Harold II (or Harold Godwinson c. 1022 – 14 October 1066) was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Continue reading “1066 – Harold Godwinson (or Harold II) is crowned King of England”
29 December
Thomas Becket (21 December c. 1119 (or 1120) – 29 December 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. Continue reading “1170 – Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral”
26 December
Stephen (c. 1092/6 – 25 October 1154), often referred to as Stephen of Blois, was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne in right of his wife. Stephen’s reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda. He was succeeded by Matilda’s son, Henry II, the first of the Angevin kings. Continue reading “1135 – Coronation of King Stephen of England”
17 December
William I Longsword (c. 893 – 17 December 942) was the second ruler of Normandy, from 927 until his assassination. Continue reading “942 – Assassination of William I of Normandy”
28 September – On this day
The Battle of Tinchebray was fought on this day in 1106, in the town of Tinchebray, Normandy, between an invading force led by King Henry I of England, and his older brother Robert Curthose, the Duke of Normandy. Continue reading “1106 – The Battle of Tinchebray”
