Assassination of Alfred
Edwards brother Alfred is murdered, probably at the instructions of Earl Godwin
Role range: 1042-1066
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Edward the Confessor Biography and Timeline
Follow Edward the Confessor through 67 dated historical records for England.
Edward the Confessor, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
67Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1036–1065Years on this page
1036
Death of Edward the Confessor
Death of Alfred, assassinated, Edward's brother
Role range: 1042-1066
Succession
Edward the Atheling becomes the last in the English line of succession
Role range: 1042-1066
1041
Succession
Hardicanute I invites Edward the Confessor to jointly rule England
Role range: 1042-1066
1042
Marriage
Marries Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin who becomes the power behind the throne
Role range: 1042-1066
Coronation
Crowned King of Wessex
Role range: 1042-1066
Succession
The son of Ethelred II is helped to the throne by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. The English Line is restored. Harthacanute dies age 23 childless leading to the restoration of the English line
Role range: 1042-1066
Visit to Wessex
Duke William of Normandy visits England
Role range: 1042-1066
Exile of Edward the Confessor
Godwin is exiled because he does not approve of the King's Norman courtiers
Role range: 1042-1066
Succession
Accepts the endorsement of Godwin of Wesses
Role range: 1042-1066
Succession
Succeeds as King of England
Role range: 1042-1066
1043
Coronation
Edward the Confessor is crowned King
Role range: 1042-1066
Treason
Edward finds his mother Emma guilty of treason & deprives her of her lands
Role range: 1042-1066
Trial
Edward finds his mother Emma guilty of treason & deprives her of her lands
Role range: 1042-1066
1045
Marriage
For religious reasons Edward will not consumate the marriage & will not have an heir. Edward marries Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin
Role range: 1042-1066
1050
Exeter Diocese
Establishes the Diocese of Exeter
Role range: 1042-1066
1051
Exile of Edward the Confessor
Exiles his father-in-law, Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Role range: 1042-1066
Rebellion of Rebels in Dover
The Earls of Mercia and Northumbria are ordered to raise troops against Godwin. Edward orders Godwin to besiege Dover but he refuses & attacks the King
Role range: 1042-1066
Siege of Dover
Edward orders Godwin to besiege Dover but he refuses & attacks the King
Role range: 1042-1066
1052
Westminster Abbey
Founds Westminster Abbey
Role range: 1042-1066
Exile of Edward the Confessor
Godwin returns with a large army & forces Edward to banish some Norman nobles
Role range: 1042-1066
1053
Death of Edward the Confessor
Death of Godwin, Harold Godwineson succeeds to the Earldom of Wessex
Role range: 1042-1066
1054
Succession
Supports Malcolm III against MacBeth
Role range: 1042-1066
1057
Battle of Lumphanan
Supports Malcolm Canmore who defeats & kills Macbeth
Role range: 1042-1066
Invasion of England
Malcolm III ceases to be Edward's client King & invades Northumbria
Role range: 1042-1066
Invasion of Northumbria
Malcolm III ceases to be Edward's client King & invades Northumbria
Role range: 1042-1066
Rebellion of Rebels in Northumbria
Malcolm III ceases to be Edward's client King & invades Northumbria
Role range: 1042-1066
1059
Peace Treaty
Edward the Confessor & Malcolm III agree peace
Role range: 1042-1066
1064
Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry begins its narrative with Edward the Confessor sending Harold on a mission to Normandy.
Role range: 1042-1066
Return of Harold
The embroidery depicts Harold reporting to the ageing Edward after returning from Normandy.
Role range: 1042-1066
1065
Portskewet Hunting Residence
Edward commissions a hunting residence at Portskewet, where Harold oversees construction during the summer.
Role range: 1042-1066
Destruction at Portskewet
Edward's planned hunting residence is disrupted when Caradoc ap Gruffydd attacks the construction site.
Role range: 1042-1066
Acceptance of Tostig's Exile
Edward accepts Tostig's exile despite his earlier desire to restore him.
Role range: 1042-1066
Recognition of Morcar
Edward's government recognizes Morcar as Earl of Northumbria after the Oxford negotiations.
Role range: 1042-1066
Oxford Settlement
Edward accepts a settlement recognizing Morcar and ending Tostig's rule in Northumbria.
Role range: 1042-1066
Rebellion of Rebels in Oxford
Edward accepts the settlement under which Morcar replaces Tostig as Earl of Northumbria.
Role range: 1042-1066
Rebellion of Rebels in Oxford
Morcar is elected Earl & Tostig deposed. At a general Witen Tostigs laws are anulled & Cnuts reinstated
Role range: 1042-1066
Demand for Tostig's Restoration
Edward initially favors restoring Tostig and suppressing resistance to royal authority.
Role range: 1042-1066
Northumbrian Crisis
Edward faces a major political crisis when Northumbrian rebels reject his appointed earl Tostig.
Role range: 1042-1066
Royal Authority Challenged
The southward march of the rebels demonstrates that Edward lacks support for a military restoration of Tostig.
Role range: 1042-1066
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.