# Edward the Confessor becomes king (1042)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1042-edward-the-confessor-becomes-king
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

Edward restored the House of Wessex after the Danish dynasty ended. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 1042 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His childless reign created the succession crisis that culminated in the Norman Conquest.

## Why it matters
His childless reign created the succession crisis that culminated in the Norman Conquest.

Ruler at the time: [Edward the Confessor](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-the-confessor)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Edward the Confessor becomes king](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Edward+the+Confessor+becomes+king&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Edward the Confessor becomes king](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Edward+the+Confessor+becomes+king)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)