Timeline: 1075..1099

1075Chepstow Castle passes to the crown Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
 A-S C Roger Fitz Osbern joined an unsuccessful uprising against the king and lost. The castle then passed to the crown.
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Council of London 
At the Council of London Archbishop Lanfranc instigated the movement of many English Bishoprics to more important locations. One of these was the Bishopric of Sherborne and Wilton which moved to Old Sarum.
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Construction of Windsor Castle Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
Construction of Windsor castle started by William the Conqueror.
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Chichester founded as a see 
Chichester was made a bishopric in this year when the bishop moved there from Selsey.
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1076Battle Abbey Consecrated 
 A-S C Eventhough incomplete, Battle Abbey is consecrated.
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1077Gundulf consecrated as Bishop of Rochester 
 A-S C Gundulf became Bishop of Rochester, remaining there for thirty years and where he is buried.
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St. Albans Cathedral building begins 
Work began on St. Albans Cathedral. (More Information to follow)
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Rochester Cathedral building begins 
Work on Rochester Cathedral began. (More Information to follow)
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Jul 14 - The Bayeux Tapestry 
The Bayeux Tapestry is first shown at the dedication of Odo's cathedral.
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1078Osmond becomes Bishop at Old Sarum 
 A-S C Osmond was a Norman who came to England with William the Conqueror. He exchanged his noble title for that of a religious one and became Bishop at Old Sarum after Herbert. Osmond continued the construction work of a new cathedral at Old Sarum.
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Bishops of East Anglia moved to Thetford 
The two bishoprics of East Anglia and Dunwich (Suffolk) were merged into one and moved to Thetford which was an important town at the time and was in a central location.
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Work starts on the White Tower Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
Gundulf began work on the White Tower, the Tower of London.
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1079Winchester Cathedral crypt 
 A-S C Work began on the crypt and transepts of Winchester Cathedral. Until 1093.
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1080Construction of Lewes Castles Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
 A-S C Work on a castle at Lewes began in 1080 and lasted possibly to around 1100.
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Colchester castle begun Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
To defend the esturies of Essex against attacks from the Danes William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a new castle at Colchester.
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Hereford Cathedral new building 
Robert de Losinga, a Norman Bishop started work on a new Cathedral at Hereford.
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Ripon monastery destroyed by Normans 
Ripon monastery destroyed by Normans.
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1081Cardiff Castle created Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
 A-S C William the Conqueror may have ordered the creation of a castle at Cardiff during his tour of Southern Wales.
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William tours south Wales Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
William the Conqueror visited South Wales and St. David's. He met Rhys ap Tewdwr, the ruler of the area and allowed him to remain in control of the region for a yearly sum of money.
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Accession of Alexius Comnenus 
The civil wars following the battle of Manzikert led to Alexius Comnenus becoming the Eastern Emperor.
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1083Odo imprisoned 
 A-S C William imprisoned his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.
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Ely Cathedral building begins 
Work began on Ely Cathedral
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1084Worcester Cathedral building begins 
 A-S C Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan. (More Information to follow)
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1085Toledo recaptured from the Moors 
 A-S C Toledo was recaptured from the Moors.
Dec 25 - Domesday Book Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
At the Christmas Council William ordered the creation of survey of property with their values and populations county by county covering most of England. Commissioners were sent all over England, apart from the far north, to make a record of the population, value, state and ownership of the land. The book consisted of two volumes and was completed by 1088.
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1086Stormy weather and disease 
 A-S C Violent storms killed many people while cattle died from disease.
The Spanish are defeated at Zallaca 
The Spanish are defeated at Zallaca.
Aug 1 - Council of Salisbury Episode: Norman Conquest, click to view
A meeting was called by William the Conqueror where he invited his most important vassals and Tenants in Chief in England to swear allegiance to him. The oath is now known as the Oath of Salisbury.
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1087Castle Acre Priory founded 
 A-S C The Priory was founded by William de Warrene a Norman follower of William the Conqueror.
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William Rufus gives Manor of Tewkesbury 
William Rufus gave the Manor of Tewkesbury to his cousin, Robert FitzHamon. Together with the patronage of the Priory of Tewkesbury.
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St. Paul's Cathedral Burns down 
Work on rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral started after the Old St. Paul's burnt down and a good deal of London as well. The person in charge of the rebuilding work was Mauritius, chaplain to William the Conqueror and Bishop of London. The new Cathedral was reportedly extremely large.
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Sep 9 - William the Conqueror Dies 
William I of England died at the abbey of St Gervais, near Rouen.
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Sep 26 - William II (Rufus) crowned at Westminster 
William II (Rufus) was crowned at Westminster by Archbishop Lanfranc after the death of his father William the Conqueror.
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1088Earldom of Warwick created 
 A-S C The earldom of Warwick was created by William II and given to Henry de Beaumont. Henry de Beaumont changed his name to Newburgh.
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Foundation of Bath Abbey 
Bath Abbey is founded by John de Villula and populated by Benedictine monks.
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Urban becomes Pope 
Urban II was elected Pope in 1088. His real name was Odo of Lagery and chose the name Urban when he became Pope. He had at first been a monk at the abbey at Cluny from 1070 and had become a prior there.
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Pevensey Castle siege 
William Rufus lays siege to Pevensey Castle in the dispute over the English throne with his brother Robert. The siege held until Rufus was declared King.
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Spring - Revolt against William 
Many Norman barons held land both in England and Normandy. With two opposing lords, William in England and Robert in Normandy, the barons were finding it difficult to know who to support. A revolt led by Odo sprung up in England with the aim of removing William from the throne. Odo's revolt in Kent and Sussex was supported by Robert of Belleme, a Norman baron, who was able to bring support from Normandy. Robert also controlled castles in the Welsh Marches where the revolt also took place.
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Jul - William puts down the revolt 
William and the barons who had remained loyal to him in England attacked the rebels and defeated them at Rochester Castle. Odo and the Bishop of Durham, both leaders of the revolt, were exiled to Normandy. The revolt in the Welsh Marches was dealt with by Bishop Wulfstan.
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1089Serlo builds the crypt at Gloucester 
 A-S C Some seventeen years after after taking his position at Gloucester, Serlo built the crypt.
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Lanfranc dies 
After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes.
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Aug 11 - Earthquake 
An earthquake was felt across England.
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1090Construction of Caernavon Castle 
 A-S C The first castle to be built at Caernarvon was constructed by Hugh of Avranches in about 1090. He built a wooden motte and bailey castle.
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Construction of Pembroke Castle 
A motte and bailey castle was built at Pembroke by Arnulf of Montgomery.
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Lancaster Keep 
Construction of keep at Lancaster Castle by Roger of Poitou.
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1091Violent storm hits London 
 A-S C London was hit by a terrible storm, possibly a tornado. Damage was done to the Tower of London, the old wooden London Bridge and many churches and buildings.
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Colchester Castle passes to Eudo 
Once the threat from invasion had reduced, the castle was passed into the control of Eudo de Rie, who held the position of high steward.
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Nov - William Rufus renews agreement with Scots 
William Rufus renewed the arrangement that his father had with Malcolm III, King of the Scots. This may have included letting Malcolm have some areas of northern England. Even so this did not prevent further attacks on England in the north by the Scots.
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1092Old Sarum Cathedral completed and dedicated 
 A-S C The cathedral at Old Sarum was completed and dedicated to Blessed Virgin. The cathedral was damaged by a storm only five days after the dedication service and the roof destroyed. The location of the cathedral meant it exposed to the wind and the sermons were sometimes drowned out by the sound.
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Work begins on Carlisle Cathedral 
Work began on the nave and the southern transept.
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Carlisle Collegiate church founded 
Secular canons founded a collegiate church at Carlisle.
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Collegiate church founded at Carlisle. 
A collegiate church was founded at this time at Carlisle and a Norman church was built.
Tewkesbury Abbey Founded 
Robert FitzHamon, the cousin of William Rufus, together with Abbot Giraldus, founded the present Abbey at Tewkesbury.
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1093Benedictines take over at Chester. 
 A-S C Chester was a strategic site after the Norman Conquest and the Saxon church there was taken over in 1093 by Benedictine monks.
Anselm Becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093 succeeding Lanfranc. The post of Archbishop of Canterbury had been held open by William Rufus so that he could collect for himself the church's income. Anselm died in 1109.
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Durham Cathedral begun 
Durham Cathedral was the first building in Western Europe with ribbed vaulting in the ceiling.
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Spring - William Rufus seriously ill 
William fell ill early in this year and the illness was so serious that reports went out saying that he had died. William granted land to many religious houses in preparation for his death but when he recovered he claimed the land back.
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Nov 13 - Donald Bane becomes king of Scotland 
After Malcolm III and his second son Edward were killed near Alnwick Donald, Malcolm's brother, became the king of Scotland. Malcolm's family, including Edgar, were forced into exiled in England.
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Nov 13 - Battle of Alnwick 
Malcolm III, the king of Scotland, and his son Edward were both killed at the battle of Alnwick in Northumberland. Malcolm had invaded England after William II had made moves to take more control over Cumbria and had fortified Carlisle.
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Nov 16 - Death of Margaret of Scotland 
Margaret of Scotland died only days after her son and husband had been killed at Alnwick.
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1094See of Norwich bought by Hebert de Losinga 
 A-S C Herbert de Losinga purchased the see (seat of the bishop) for the area around Norwich. The bishops seat was at Thetford but Herbert moved it to Norwich itself before starting the construction of a new cathedral.
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Battle Abbey reconsecrated 
Building work at Battle Abbey was completed and the abbey reconsecrated by William Rufus.
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May - Duncan II becomes King of the Scots 
Assisted by Norman knights, Duncan became king in May. His reign only lasted until November.
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Nov - Donald III restored 
Donald III was restored to the Scottish throne after the death of Duncan II. He shared the Scottish rule with his nephew Edmund.
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1095Robert Mowbray's Rebellion 
 A-S C After attacking four merchant ships Robert Mowbray was called for by William Rufus to explain his actions. Instead Mowbray rose up in rebellion against the king along with other powerful Norman Barons.
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Wulfstan dies 
Wulfstan was bishop of Worcester. The location of his grave is not known.
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Mar - The Council of Piacenza Episode: The First Crusade, click to view
A delegation led by the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus visited Pope Urban II to raise the problems he was having fighting the Muslims in the East. Pope Urban removed the excommunication that had been placed on the Emperor by Pope Gregory and promised to help.
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Nov 27 - The Council of Clermont Episode: The People's Crusade, click to view
On the last day of the council Pope Urban II preached about the oppression being inflicted on the Christians in the Middle East by the Muslim Seljuks. Christian churches were being destroyed and Christians attacked. The Pope called for the Christians in the West to help.
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1096William buys Normandy 
 A-S C Robert of Normandy became under pressure from William who laid claim to Normandy. William was gaining support from some Norman barons and Robert took the opportunity to leave Normandy to answer Pope Urban II's call for a Crusade. Robert agreed that William could lease Normandy for three years for a sum of 10,000 marks. This money would help him fund the expedition.
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Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work. 
Canterbury Choir, East Transepts and Crypt building work.
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Building work on Alnwick castle begins 
Building work on Alnwick castle began.
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Norwich Cathedral building begins 
Work starts on Norwich Cathedral.
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Qtr 1 - Peter the Hermit's (or People's) Crusade Episode: The People's Crusade, click to view
Following Pope Urban's speech at Clermont Peter the Hermit, a simple man with a powerful ability to move people by his words, started preaching for Christians to help their fellow Christians in the East. He started to gain a large number of followers eager to go to Jerusalem with promises of absolution and freedom from a life of hunger and deprevation. His followers were poor, not prepared for the journey and not armed.
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Jul - Peter reaches Byzantium Episode: The People's Crusade, click to view
At Constantinople the Emperor Alexius welcomed Peter's army but there were too many people and no provision had been made for them. There was a general lack of discipline that resulted in repeated attacks and thefts from surrounding villages. Alexius warned Peter to wait for better trained troops to arrive before moving on but the pressure of the army was so great on Constantinople that they were forced to move before help could arrive.
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Aug - The People's Crusades cross the Bosperus Episode: The People's Crusade, click to view
The People's Crusaders were shipped across the Bosperus to a disused army base at Civetot. From there they attacked the surrounding areas but they had little affect.
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Oct - Raymond starts his crusade Episode: The First Crusade, click to view
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Oct 21 - The People's Crusaders massacred Episode: The People's Crusade, click to view
The Turks attacked the People's Crusades in their base at Civetot and ended their Crusade.
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1097Edgar Macmalcolm becomes king of the Scots 
 A-S C Edgar, the son of Malcolm III of Scotland, became the king of Scotland after taking the Scottish throne from Donald Bane.
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Apr - Crusaders reach Constantinople Episode: The First Crusade, click to view
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Oct 4 - Comet 
A star with a long tail was seen in the south-west.
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1098Treaty with Magnus III of Norway 
 A-S C A treaty was signed between Edgar, King of Scotland, and Magnus III of Norway agreeing that the northern territories of Scotland including the Hebrides belonged to Norway.
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1099Flambard is made Bishop of Durham 
 A-S C Ranulf Flambard is made the Bishop of Durham by William Rufus.
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Nave at Durham constructed 
Construction of the nave at Durham Cathedral began in 1099 and lasted until 1128.
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Jul 15 - Crusaders take Jerusalem Episode: The First Crusade, click to view
The Crusaders take Jerusalem and Godfrey of Bouillon becomes King of Jerusalem.
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Aug 12 - Battle of Ascalon 
The last battle of the First Crusade was fourght between the Christians and Muslims at Ascalon. Led by Godfrey of Bouillon, the king of Jerusalem, the heavily out-numbered Christian army used their heavy armour to good affect. The Muslim army consisted mainly of Egyptions intent of driving the Christians out of Jerusalem.
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In this period
1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 
1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 
1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 
1090 1091 1092 1093 1094 
1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 



English Rulers

William I (1066 - 1087)
William II (1087 - 1100)

Scottish Rulers (not all)

Malcolm III (1058 - 1093)
Edgar (1097 - 1107)

French Rulers (not all)

Philip I (1060 - 1108)



 Episodes
Norman Conquest
The People's Crusade
The First Crusade



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Selection of references used:
  • John Kinross,Discovering Castles in England and Wales,
  • E.B.D'Auvergne,The English Castles,1926
  • John Harvey,English Cathedrals,1961
  • James Forde-Johnston,Great Medieval Castles of Britain,
  • H.R.Burrows M.A.,Pictorial History of Hereford Cathedral,
  • Richard Muir,Old Yorkshire,
  • Mike Salter,Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower,
  • BBC Publication,Background to the Crusades,
  • T. Wise & G.A. Embleton,Armies of the Crusades,
  • David Bates,William the Conqueror,
  • A.F.Scott,The Norman Age,1976
  • Colin Platt,Medieval England,
  • J.D. Mackie,A History of Scotland,1978
  • Alan & Veronica Palmer,Pimlico Chronology of Britsh History,
  • G H Cook,English Cathedrals through the centuries,
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