1066
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.
| Millennium: | 2nd millennium |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 10th century – 11th century – 12th century |
| Decades: | 1030s 1040s 1050s – 1060s – 1070s 1080s 1090s |
| Years: | 1063 1064 1065 – 1066 – 1067 1068 1069 |
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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
- 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
- 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: