1006

Burning of Wallingford by the Danes. Sweyn, King of Denmark, marches from Southampton and destroys the town by fire, before moving on to Cholsey.

Sweyn, King of Denmark

1013

Wallingford, now rebuilt, is visited by Sweyn (father of King Cnut).

1050

Approximate date of Seal-die of Godwin and Godgytha, found at Wallingford in 1839. It consists of a double-sided walrus ivory comb and a whetstone for blade-sharpening. The front of the handle shows God the Father and God the Son with their feet resting upon a human figure, and a dove, representing the Holy Ghost, can be distinguished. The reverse of the handle is plain. The circular portion of the seal-die has been engraved to resemble a coin of King Hathacnut, son of Cnut, a Dane who rules England 1039-42. It shows a bearded man holding a sword. The latin inscription says 'The seal of Godwyn the thegn [lord]'. The seated woman shown on the other side has the inscription'The seal of Godgytha, a nun given to God'.

Seal-die of Godwin and Godgytha

1066

William the Conqueror invades England, fighting the Battle of Hastings on the 14^th October. Unable to cross the Thames at Southwark he continues westward to Wallingford, where Wigod, thane of Wallingford opens the gates to him. In December at Wallingford, the first English submissions to William take place, when Archbishop Stigand of Canterbury leads a delegation of important English bishops and thanes. By Christmas, the earls Edwin, Morcar and Waltheof, along with Archbishop Ealdred of York, have also surrendered, having ensured that their positions will be secure under the new régime. Robert D’Oilly, a favourite of William’s, marries Aldgitha, Wigod’s only daughter. At this point Wallingford has 276 houses.

William the Conqueror

1067

William commands Robert D’Oyley to build a strong castle at Wallingford.

Motte of Wallingford Castle

1069

William imposes a curfew or "couvre feu" requiring fires to be put out across the country at 8 pm, but Wallingford is allowed an extra hour.

1071

Wigod died. The motte and bailey of the castle is finished. Aldred of Abingdon is imprisoned in the castle, probably for his part in the rebellion of Edwin and Morcar.

1077

Wallingford Priory is established by Paul, Abbot of St Albans in the Church of the Holy Trinity, given by Geoffrey the Chamberlain. Robert D'Oyley is credited with supplying funds for the Benedictine Holy Trinity Priory.

The seal of Wallingford Priory

1086

The Domesday book says there are 491 houses in Wallingford, and 22 Frenchmen living in the town, amongst about 3000 residents in total. Eight properties have been demolished to build the castle. There are 15 acres belonging to housecarls (professional Danish troops).

A page from the Domesday Book

1097