1057

Political Events

The Comnenus dynasty that will rule the Byzantine Empire until 1185 is founded by Isaac I Comnenus, a military leader who is proclaimed emperor by the insurgents who have overthrown Michael VI. The new emperor eliminates many sinecures and reforms Byzantine finances.

Robert Guiscard returns to Apulia and seizes control from the sons of his late half-brother Humphrey de Hauteville, who has died at Melfi, having left Robert as successor and guardian of his infant son Abelard. Robert confiscates Abelard's lands, ending internal disputes that have threatened to break up the country and making himself the greatest landholder in southern Italy (see 1059).

Scotland's king Macbeth is killed in battle near Lumphanan August 15 at age 52 (approximate) after a 17-year reign in which he has instituted a new form of law and order and felt secure enough to take several months off for a pilgrimage to Rome (see 1054); Malcolm Canmore, king of Cumbria, has brought down Macbeth, who is buried on Iona and succeeded by his 28-year-old stepson Lulach. The new king receives his crown later in the month at Scone Abbey in Perthshire, becoming the first to be crowned there (see 1058).

Leofric, earl of Mercia, dies at Bromley August 31 after ruling for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Godgifu (Lady Godiva), have endowed the Benedictine monastery at Coventry and made other liberal gifts to the Church, but he will be remembered in legend as the husband of Lady Godiva.

Zirid forces capture the city of Málaga, ending the Hammudid dynasty that has ruled it since 1022.

Religion

Pope Victor II dies at Rome July 28 after a 2-year reign and is succeeded August 2 by the mortally ill French-born cardinal Frédéric de Lorraine, who will reign until next spring as Stephen IX (or X).

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