Harold Godwinson Timeline

Reign of Edward the Confessor, king of England.

William, Duke of Normandy, visits Edward the Confessor who, according to Norman sources, promises William the crown of England.

Harold Godwinson becomes the Earl of Wessex.

Earl Godwin, Earl of Wessex, dies.

Edgar Ætheling and his sisters Margaret and Cristina return from exile in Hungary to England.

Harold Godwinson, with help from his brother Tostig, launches a successful military campaign by land and sea against the king of Wales, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.

Possible visit to Normandy by Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex. Norman writers would claim he was captured and held by William the Conqueror until he promised to be the Norman's vassal in England.

A revolt in Northumbria against Tostig, the Earl of Northumbria, is put down by Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex.

Death of Edward the Confessor at Westminster.

Harold Godwinson is crowned Harold II, king of England, probably in Westminster Abbey.

Reign of Harold Godwinson, Harold II, king of England.

William, Duke of Normandy, prepares his invasion fleet to conquer England.

Battle of Fulford Gate in which a force led by Harald Hardrada defeats an Anglo-Saxon army led by the Earls of Northumbria and Mercia.

Battle of Stamford Bridge in which Harold Godwinson (Harold II) defeats an invading army led by Harald Hardrada, king of Norway.

William the Conqueror's invading army lands at Pevensey in Sussex, southern England.

The Battle of Hastings in which William, Duke of Normandy, defeats King Harold II of England.