Years: 1039 1040 1041 - 1042 - 1043 1044 1045

Decades: 1010s 1020s 1030s - 1040s - 1050s 1060s 1070s

Centuries: 10th century - 11th century - 12th century 1042 state leaders

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.

Births

Deaths

• August 24 - Michael V, emperor of the Byzantine Empire (b. 1015)
• Harthacanute, King of Denmark and England