Edward the Confessor died.

1066 January 4th. King Edward the Confessor died at Westminster Palace.

 The Witan proclaims Harold Godwinson as King Harold II of England.

1066 January 8th. Harold II is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey. 

1066 January. William II Duke of Normandy hears of Harold Godwinson's Coronation

and begins to prepare to invade England by building seven hundred warships and 

transports at Dev-st-Mer on the 

Normandy coast.