Edith of Wessex Timeline 1025-1075

Edith’s brother, Sweyn, was exiled after he attempted to abduct Eadgifu, the abess of Leominster

Edith’s brother, Sweyn, was allowed to return to England after he begged forgiveness.

Following a brawl in Dover where several Normans were killed, King Edward the Confessor ordered that the people of Dover should be punished for the deaths of his Norman friends. He ordered Edith’s father, Godwin Earl of Wessex, to carry out the punishment.

Edith’s father, Godwin of Wessex, refused to carry out King Edward’s order to punish the town of Dover and instead raised an army against the King. The King also raised troops but neither side was prepared to start a civil war so the matter was referred to the Witan.

The Witan met to discuss Earl Godwin’s refusal to carry out the King’s orders. They decided that Godwin and his family should be banished. The Godwin family left England but Godwin’s youngest son, Wulfnoth was left with King Edward as hostage. Godwin, Gytha, Sweyn, Tostig and Gyrth went to Flanders while Harold and Leofwine went to Dublin. Edith was sent to the Abbey at Wilton.

Edith’s brother, Tostig married Judith of Flanders.

Edith’s father, Godwin of Wessex, raised an army and accompanied by his sons, Harold and Tostig, launched an attack on England and quickly took the South. King Edward, unable to raise sufficient forces to defeat them, was forced to sue for peace. It was agreed that all the Godwin family could return to England and that their titles and land would be restored to them.

Edith’s brother, Sweyn chose not to return to England but left on Crusade instead.

Edith’s brother, Sweyn became ill and died.

Edith’s father, Earl Godwin of Wessex, died. His son Harold Godwinson succeeded him as Earl of Wessex.

Edith’s brother, Tostig became Earl of Northumbria.

Edith’s brother, Harold, was shipwrecked off the coast of Ponthieu. William, Duke of Normandy ordered that Harold be brought to him. Harold was placed under virtual house arrest, accompanying William into battle at Rouen. After the battle he swore an oath to support William’s claim to the throne of England after the death of Edward.

The people of Northumbria rebelled against the rule of Edith’s brother Tostig. Harold was sent to deal with the situation and sided with the people and sent his brother into exile.

Edith’s husband, King Edward the Confessor, died

Edith’s brother, Harold was crowned King Harold II

Harald Hardrada supported by Edith’s brother Tostig invaded England. They landed at the mouth of the River Tyne.

Battle of Fulford
Harold’s earls Morcar and Edwin were defeated by Harald Hardrada and Tostig. The two English earls fled the battlefield.

Edith’s brother, Harold Godwinson, marched rapidly north

Battle of Stamford Bridge
Edith’s brother, Harold won a decisive victory over the Norwegian invaders. Both Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson were killed.

William of Normandyinvaded England.

Battle of Hastings
After a rapid march south, Edith’s brothers Harold, Leofwine and Gyrth fought the Normans on Senlac Hill. They were defeated and killed during the battle.

Edith paid homage to William of Normandy and was allowed to retain her possessions and remain in England.

Edith commissioned a book about the life of Edward the Confessor entitled ‘Vita Edwardi Regis’.

Edith died at Winchester. She was buried in Westminster Abbey next to her husband Edward the Confessor.