The 1050s was a decade of the Julian Calendar which began on January 1, 1050, and ended on December 31, 1059.

Events

1050

By place

Europe
Africa

By topic

Religion

1051

By place

Continental Europe
England
  • Eustace II, count of Boulogne, visits England and is received with honour at the court by King Edward the Confessor. In Dover a fight breaks out between the Norman visitors and the locals, resulting in the deaths of several people. Edward blames the people of Dover and orders Godwin, earl of Wessex, to deal with them. Godwin refuses to obey Edward's order, and in response Edward raises an army and forces the Godwin family into exile.
  • Edward the Confessor invites William of Normandy to England. It is at this point that it is thought that Edward promises the English throne to William in the event of his death.[19]
  • Heregeld, commonly known as Danegeld, is abolished by Edward the Confessor. It has been collected for many years to provide funds for defending the country from Viking raiders.[20]

By topic

Religion

1052

By place

England
Africa

By topic

Religion

1053

By place

Byzantine Empire
  • End of the Pecheneg Revolt: Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos makes peace with the Pechenegs. However, Pecheneg raids do not cease; they not only damage the economy by plundering, but Constantine is also forced to buy protection or peace from them by gifts, land grants, privileges and titles.[23]
Europe
England

By topic

Religion

1054

By place

Byzantine Empire
  • Sultan Tughril leads a large Seljuk army out of Azerbaijan into Armenia, possibly to consolidate his frontier, while providing an incentive to his Turkoman allies in the form of plunder. Tughril divides his army into four columns, ordering three to veer off to the north to raid into central and northern Armenia, while he takes the fourth column towards Lake Van. The Seljuk Turks capture and sack the fortress city of Artchesh, after an 8-day siege.[24]
Europe
Scotland
Africa
  • The Almoravids retake the trading center of Aoudaghost from the Ghana Empire. Repeated Almoravid incursions, aimed at seizing control of the trans-Saharan gold trade, disrupt Ghana's dominance of the trade routes.[25]
Asia

By topic

Astronomy
Religion

1055

By place

Byzantine Empire
Europe
England
Arabian Empire

By topic

Art
  • Construction on the Liaodi Pagoda in Hebei is completed (the tallest pagoda in Chinese history, standing at a height of 84 m (275 ft) tall).
Religion

1056

By place

Byzantine Empire
Europe
Britain
Northern Africa

By topic

Religion

1057

By place

Byzantine Empire
  • June 8 – General Isaac Komnenos proclaims himself emperor in Paphlagonia (modern Turkey), and starts a civil war against Emperor Michael VI. He advances with a Byzantine expeditionary force towards Constantinople. At the same time, Michael sends an army against the rebels – western regiments and eastern ones (those from the Anatolic Theme and Charsianon) – to stop him.[37]
  • August 20Battle of Hades: Rebel forces under Isaac Komnenos defeat the Byzantines on the plains of Hades (near Nicaea). General Katakalon Kekaumenos routs the imperial right flank, and reaches the enemy's camp. He destroys the tents and supplies, which leaves the way open to Constantinople.
  • September 1 – A riot in favor of Isaac Komnenos breaks out in Constantinople. Patriarch Michael I convinces Michael VI to abdicate the throne, and Isaac is crowned as emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
Europe
Africa
Asia

By topic

Religion

1058

By place

Europe
Africa

By topic

Religion

1059

By place

Byzantine Empire
Europe
Seljuk Empire

By topic

Religion

Significant people

Births

1050

1051

1052

1053

1054

1055

1056

1057

1058

1059

Deaths

1050

1051

1052

1053

1054

1055

1056

1057

1058

1059

References