1042

Events

*April 18/April 19 — Emperor Michael V of the Byzantine Empire attempts to remain sole Emperor by sending his adoptive mother and co-ruler Zoe of Byzantium to a monastery.
*April 19 — Michael V of the Byzantine Empire is deposed by popular revolt. Zoe, Empress of the Byzantine Empire with co-rulers since 1028, becomes reigning Empress with her sister Theodora.
*June 8 — Edward the Confessor becomes King of England.
*June 11 — Empress Zoe marries for the third time and elevates her husband to the throne as Constantine IX.
*George Maniaces, Byzantine general in Sicily, revolts against Constantine IX.
*Harald III of Norway, at this time leader of the Varangian Guard in the Byzantine Empire, returns to Norway, possibly because of his involvement in Maniaces' revolt.
*Magnus I of Norway becomes King of Denmark.
*The Normans in Italy move their capital to Melfi.
* Abad II succeeds his father to the throne of Sevilla.
* Incursions by the Western Xia and the threat of further Liao Dynasty military actions against the Song Dynasty force an increase in tribute payments to the Liao.
* The Almoravids, led by Abdullah Ibn Yasin, invade Morocco.
* Byzantine-Arab Wars: The Byzantines conquer Edessa, returning to Christian hands after 400 years of Islamic rule.

Births

* "date unknown" — Pope Urban II (d. 1099)

Deaths

* June 8 — Harthacanute, King of Denmark and England
* August 24 — Michael V, Byzantine Emperor (b. 1015)