Harold Godwinson Crowned King

Date: January 6, 1066 • Location: London, United Kingdom

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1066–1071.

Following the death of Edward the Confessor on the previous day, the Witan meets to confirm Harold Godwinson as the new King of England; Harold is crowned the same day, sparking a succession crisis that will eventually lead to the Norman conquest of England.

Edward the Confessor was King of the English from 1042 until his death in 1066. He was the last reigning monarch of the House of Wessex.