Harold Godwinson chosen by the Witenagemot to be king over Edward's nephew, Edgar Ætheling, who is aged only around 15.[2] Harold is crowned this day, probably in Westminster Abbey. At about this time (if not earlier) Harold is married to Ealdgyth, daughter of the late Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia, and widow of Welsh ruler Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.
May – Tostig Godwinson, Harold's brother, attempts to invade England, landing on the Isle of Wight and in Kent, but is forced to return to Scotland.[1]
20 September – Battle of Fulford: Harald III of Norway, accompanied by Tostig Godwinson, invades England and defeats the English forces led by Morcar of Northumbria and Edwin, Earl of Mercia, in Yorkshire.[1]
25 September – Battle of Stamford Bridge: King Harold II of England defeats and kills both Harald III of Norway and Tostig.[2]
28 September – William, Duke of Normandy ("William the Conqueror") lands an invasion force near Pevensey. King Harold marches south to meet him.[2]
28 January – Northumbrians kill the new Norman earl of Northumbria, Robert de Comines, at Durham and attack York.[1]
King Sweyn II of Denmark lands a fleet in the Humber in support of the Northumbrian rebels and they join him to burn York, attacking its two castles and destroying the old Minster.[1]
Winter of 1069–1070 – Harrying of the North: William quells rebellions against his rule, campaigning through the north of England with his forces, burning houses, crops, cattle and land from York to Durham, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people, mainly from starvation and winter cold.[6]