1050s

The 1050s was a decade that began on 1 January 1050, and ended on 31 December 1059. It is distinct from the decade known as the 106th decade which began on January 1, 1051 and ended on December 31, 1060.

• 1050
  • Hedeby is sacked by King Harald Hardraade of Norway during the course of a conflict with King Eric Estridsson of Denmark.
  • King Anund Jacob of Sweden is succeeded by Emund the Old. (See Swedish monarchs.)
• 1051 Zenkunen War starts in Japan. It will continue until the early 1060s. Part of Clan disputes of the Heian period.
• 1054
  • A powerful supernova is observed. It is so bright that it can be seen in daylight. The supernova remnant left by the event is now known as the Crab Nebula.
  • Pope Leo IX and Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, decree each other's excommunication, finalising the Great Schism between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
• 1055
  • Seljuk Turks capture Baghdad.
  • Pope Victor II attains papacy.
• 1057
  • Change of Scottish Monarch from Macbeth to Lulach
  • Pope Victor II dies, Pope Stephen IX attains papacy.