Rebellion of Northumbrian
Harold carries Edward's proposals to the Northumbrian rebels and negotiates rather than attempting to restore Tostig by force.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Harold II Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Harold II through 77 dated historical records for England.
Harold II, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
77Distinct records
2 of 2Page
1065–1066Years on this page
1065
Rebellion of Northumbrian
Harold takes a message from King Edward for Northumbrian rebels to make peace
Role range: 1066-1066
1066
Death of Harold II
Death of Edward, he nominates Harold his successor on his deathbed
Role range: 1066-1066
Coronation of Harold II
The embroidery depicts Harold receiving the English crown after Edward's death.
Role range: 1066-1066
Coronation of Harold II
Ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064. Crowned King of England, on the same day Halleys comet is seen, an ominous portent
Role range: 1066-1066
Coronation
Ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064. Crowned King of England, on the same day Halleys comet is seen, an ominous portent
Role range: 1066-1066
Succession
Succeeds as King of England. Harold Godwinson is chosen by the Witan to succeed Edward the Confessor
Role range: 1066-1066
Coronation of Harold II
Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064
Role range: 1066-1066
Coronation
Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064
Role range: 1066-1066
Halley's Comet
The Bayeux Tapestry shows a comet interpreted by onlookers as a threatening omen for Harold's reign.
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Assembles forces "larger than any king had assembled before in this country"
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Forced to disband his army & order his fleet back to London
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Fulford
Hadraada & Tostig defeat Edwin & Morcar then capture York
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Defeats Hardrada & his brother Tostig, near York, Hardrada & Tostig are killed
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Hears news of the Norman landing while at a banquet in York
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Marches south as soon as he hears of Williams landing
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Arrives in London from York in an attempt to head off the Norman invasion
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Marches from London with about 5,000 men in an effort to surprise the Norman invaders
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Gathers his forces & leaves for the Sussex Downs to cut William off from his ships
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Harold & his armies assemble near Battle after Harold has marched 58 miles from London. Arrives in battle after 58 mile march from London which had taken its toll in infantry
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Arrives in battle after marching 58 miles from London
Role range: 1066-1066
Death of Harold II
The final battle scenes portray Harold's death and the collapse of English resistance.
Role range: 1066-1066
Death of Harold II
Death of Harold II, killed at the Battle of Hastings
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Victory goes to the Normans whose cavalry overcomes the Anglo Saxon foot soldiers. The Battle takes place just 3 days after the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold is killed in batlle
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Hears of Williams advance & forms a defensive position on Senlac ridge
Role range: 1066-1066
Battle of Hastings
Harold loses his element of surprise & the Normans attack
Role range: 1066-1066
Burial
Believes William I buries Harold II on the sea-shore
Role range: 1066-1066
Burial
Ealdgyth buries her former husband at Waltham Abbey
Role range: 1066-1066
Halleys Comet
Halleys comet is seen over England, a portent of great things to happen
Role range: 1066-1066
News of Norman Fleet
The embroidery shows Harold receiving reports about the comet and a fleet of ships.
Role range: 1066-1066
Succession
After Edward's death William asks Harold to honour his oath to him, Harold refuses
Role range: 1066-1066
Exile of Harold II
Hadrada is rumoured to be in in Isle of Wight preparing for an invasion
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Tostig is forced to seek proptection in Scotland. Tostig invades the coast with a fleet of 60 ships but is defeated by Edwin
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Assembles forces "larger than any king had assembled before in this country". Lands on the Isle of Wight to confront William the Conqueror but he does not arrive. Hadrada is rumoured to be in in Isle of Wight preparing for an invasion
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Harold mobilizes to confront Tostig at the Isle of Wight but Tostig lands in the north
Role range: 1066-1066
Invasion of England
Harald III Hardrada arrives with an invasion fleet of 300 ships
Role range: 1066-1066
March to Hastings
The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Harold moving south to confront William's invading army.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1066-1066
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.