1068 The tax of Danegelt was re-established; and the curfew-bell ordered to be rung at eight every evening, when the people were obliged, on pain of death, to extinguish their fire and candle.
1072 Surnames first used in England.
1075 William was reconciled with his son Robert, who had rebelled against him. Waltheof, earl of Northumberland, was beheaded for rebellion, and was the first English nobleman thus executed.
1076 William refused to pay homage to the see of Rome for the possession of England, and forbade his bishops to attend the council that Gregory had summoned. He however sent to Rome the tribute of Peter-pence. A great earthquake in England, and a frost from November to the end of April.
1078 William laid the foundation of London.
1079 The Norman laws and language introduced.
1085 Thirty-six parishes, containing a circuit of sixty miles in Hampshire, were depopulated and destroyed without any compensation to the inhabitants, in order to make New-Forest for William’s diversion of hunting. The tyrannical laws of the Forest were made.
1087 A dreadful famine in England. William went to France and destroyed the country with fire and sword. He died at Rouen by a fall from his horse, and was buried at Caen, in Normandy, in the monastery he had himself founded, but was denied interment by the proprietor till the fees were paid.
1088 An earthquake in London. A great scarcity this year, and corn not ripe till the end of November. William II embarked for Normandy, and made war against his brother Robert. William returned to England; and Henry his brother, was forced to wander without a residence.