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England's Edward the Confessor dies at London January 5 at age 62 (approximate) and is succeeded by his brother-in-law Harold Godwine, earl of Wessex, whom he names as his successor on his deathbed even though he has by some accounts promised the crown to William, duke of Normandy. Harold secures his election as king January 6 and rules as Harold II. His alienated brother Tostig, earl of Northumbria, voyages to Norway and persuades Harald III Hardrada to help him in the conquest of England from her new king, the six-foot-four-inch Harald sails with a fleet of about 300 ships, he and Tostig plunder the coast and burn Scarborough, they enter the Humber and prevail over English forces September 20 at Gate Fulford just outside the Viking village of Jorvik (later York). Told by a messenger that Harald Hardrada has invaded his realm, Harold II has reportedly said, "I will give him just six feet of English soil; or, since they say he is a tall man, I will give him seven feet." Harold leaves London September 20 and gathers an army as he marches north, covering 190 miles in 5 days to surprise Harald and Tostig September 25 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge eight miles east of Jorvik. The over-confident Vikings have not worn their armor (actually leather jerkins with sewn-on metal rings) because it is such a warm day, the English are determined to protect Jorvik, Harald is killed with an arrow through his throat at age 41, Tostig and many others are also killed, those Vikings who survive flee the country, only 30 of their 270 ships make it back to Norway, but Harold Godwine's problems have only begun.
William of Normandy crosses the Channel in long ships and lands September 28 at Pevensey with about 6,000 Normans, including cavalrymen and archers. With no organized army to impede them, they terrorize the countryside, burning and pillaging. Harold II moves out of London with his brothers Gyrd and Leofwine, accompanied by 2,000 to 3,000 Saxon huscarls (mostly infantry, axemen, and archers), marches 58 miles in 3 days, and meets the Normans October 14 in the 6-hour Battle of Hastings, which seals the Norman conquest of England. Both sides wear chain mail, but William's men are well rested, the Normans feign a retreat, the weary English fall into William's trap and are cut down by the Norman cavalry, Harold is killed by an arrow in the eye, his brothers are also killed, William loses one quarter of his army in battle or subsequently to dysentery, resistance continues, William's men plunder the countryside of southwest England to demonstrate the folly of not submitting, and William is crowned at Westminster Abbey December 25 at age 39. Within 5 years William the Conquerer will have subdued virtually all English resistance; he will rule oppressively as William I until his death in 1087 (see 1069).
The death of Sweden's king Stenkil Ragnvaldsson after a 6-year reign plunges the country into chaos and confusion that will persist until 1080. Erik Stenkilsson, Halsten Stenkilsson, and Eric Hedningen vie for power, and although Halsten will prevail he will be deposed in 1070.
China's Qi Dan (Khitan) tribe changes its name to Liao (see 1127).
A comet appears in the skies that will later be called "Halley's Comet" (see 1456; Halley, 1705).
No written account of the Battle of Hastings will appear until that of the chronicler Guillaume de Poitiers, whose Gesta Willelmi will be published late in the century, but the Bayeux Tapestry completed a few years from now will depict the invasion force and events of the savage battle.
The Normans will introduce many French words into the language of England from across the Channel (see 1100). The French words boeuf, mouton, veau, porc, and poularde introduced by the Normans will be the basis of the English words beef, mutton, veal, pork, and poultry.
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