Exeter Castle Established
William establishes a castle at Exeter to secure the city and deter renewed resistance.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William I the Conqueror Biography and Timeline — Page 4
Follow William I the Conqueror through 277 dated historical records for England.
William I the Conqueror, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
277Distinct records
4 of 7Page
1068–1069Years on this page
1068
First York Castle Established
William establishes a castle at York to impose royal authority over the strategically important northern city.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Lincoln Castle
Orders the Construction of Lincoln Castle
Role range: 1066-1087
Lincoln Fortification
Norman fortification at Lincoln helps secure William's control of the eastern Midlands.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Neroche Castle
Orders construction of Neroche Castle near Taunton to subdue the West Country
Role range: 1066-1087
Northern Campaign Begins
William marches north in response to resistance associated with Edwin, Morcar and Edgar the Aetheling.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Nottingham Fortification
A Norman castle at Nottingham strengthens William's control over routes leading toward northern England.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Peerage
Makes Robert de Commines Earl of Northumbria
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of Rebels in Exeter after 18 days
Puts down a revolt in Exeter after 18 days, he pardons their offences
Role range: 1066-1087
Rougemont
Orders the Construction of Rougemont Castle after putting down the rebellion in Exeter
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Bristol
The citizens of Bristol drive away Harolds son Godwinew
Role range: 1066-1087
Warwick Castle
Establishes a motte & bailey fort for securing his lines of supply
Role range: 1066-1087
Warwick Fortification
William's northern advance is supported by a new castle at Warwick controlling an important route through the Midlands.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
York Castle
Orders the construction of a castle in York
Role range: 1066-1087
1069
York Rebellion Renewed
A renewed rebellion at York challenges William's northern garrisons and forces another royal intervention.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Rebels Take York
Danish-backed rebels seize York and destroy Norman positions, creating the most dangerous northern challenge to William.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Danish Fleet Enters Humber
A Danish fleet enters the Humber and joins northern English rebels opposing William's rule.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Rebellion of Rebels in Durham
Robert de Commines takes control of Durham
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of York
York rises & kills its castellan
Role range: 1066-1087
Capture of York
Recaptures York & uses it as a centre for a winter campaign to establish his rule. King Edgar of Scotland is forced back across the border
Role range: 1066-1087
Harrying of the North Begins
William begins a devastating campaign across northern England intended to deny food and support to further rebels.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Mobilization
Establishes an HQ in Nottingham before recapturing York
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of York
York rises & kills its castellan
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of massacred by the
Robert de Commines & his army are massacred by the rebellion in Durham
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Durham
Robert de Commines & his army are massacred by the rebellion in Durham
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of York
William recaptures York from Asbjorn who is reluctant to meet him in battle
Role range: 1066-1087
York Retaken from Rebels
William retakes York and restores Norman control after the Danish-backed occupation.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Rebellion of Rebels in Maine
Maine breaks free from Williams rule
Role range: 1066-1087
Assassination of Robert de Commines
Robert de Commines, a Norman Governor, is murdered with 500 of his men
Role range: 1066-1087
Capture of York
Recaptures York & uses it as a centre for a winter campaign to establish his rule. King Edgar of Scotland is forced back across the border. Routes hundreds of rebels in York, handed over for plunder by his troops
Role range: 1066-1087
Death of William I the Conqueror
Death of Robert de Commines, a Norman Governor, is murdered with 500 of his men
Role range: 1066-1087
Exile of William I the Conqueror
Mathilda is sent to Normandy for her safety
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
Edgar the Atheling invades England from Scotland, supported by the Scottish King
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
Godwine attempts to land with a force of 60 ships off the Devon coast
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
A Viking fleet led by Asbjorn, son of Danish King Swein, lands in the Humber
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
The Danes sail up the Humber & start a Saxon uprising
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of Rebels in Exeter is suppressed
A rebellion in Exeter is suppressed
Role range: 1066-1087
Second York Castle Established
William reinforces York by establishing a second castle after repeated resistance in the city.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1066-1087
Siege of Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is raised to the ground by Eadric the Wild & Bleddyn of Gwynedd
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of York
William recaptures York from Asbjorn who is reluctant to meet him in battle. Edgar "the Atheling" besieges the Norman castle at York but William ambushes him
Role range: 1066-1087
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.