By place Byzantine Empire •
September 25–
28 – Rebel general
Leo Tornikios (a nephew of Emperor
Constantine IX) proclaims himself emperor at
Adrianople, and besieges
Constantinople. Byzantine troops personally led by Constantine repel him, and re-occupy the walls. Tornikios is forced to withdraw, while his followers start to abandon him. Finally, he is captured at a church in
Boulgarophygon (modern
Turkey), and is publicly blinded. • Winter – Constantine IX allows the
Pecheneg tribes to cross the
Danube and settle permanently in Byzantine territory. He buys their alliance with presents, using them to attack his enemies (
Bulgars and
Magyars) in the rear, and so to prevent any southward advance of the
Kievan Rus'.
Europe • Spring –
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor ("the Black") travels to southern
Italy, and deprives
Guaimar IV of his title
Duke of Apulia and Calabria. He receives
homage from
Drogo of Hauteville, who becomes "Duke and Master of all Italy". •
August 10 –
Battle of Val-ès-Dunes: Norman duke
William I secures control over
Normandy with assistance from King
Henry I of France by defeating rebel Norman barons at
Caen. Later in October, William promulgates the "
Truce of God" throughout his duchy. •
October 25 –
Harald Hardrada becomes sole king of
Norway on the death of his nephew and co-regent
Magnus I ("the Good"). The crown of
Denmark passes to
Sweyn II.
By topic Religion •
October 9 – Pope
Clement II dies suddenly after a 9-month
pontificate.
Benedict IX usurps the papal throne as the 150th pope of the
Catholic Church (his third time in the office). • November – Benedict IX, with support of
Boniface III, Margrave of Tuscany, seizes the
Lateran Palace in
Rome. == Births ==