1066: A Tumultuous Year in English History

The Death of a King and the Rise of a New

The year 1066 was a tumultuous one for England. It began with the death of King Edward the Confessor on 5 January and ended with the Battle of Hastings on 14 October, which saw the Norman Conquest of England.

The Death of King Edward

King Edward the Confessor, who had ruled England for 24 years, died on 5 January 1066. He was the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings of England, and his death marked the end of an era. Edward was a pious and devout man, and he was known for his generosity and justice. He was also a great patron of the arts, and he founded Westminster Abbey.