The Battle of Hastings was fought between the Norman army of William, Duke of Normandy, and the English army of King Harold Godwinson, near the town of Hastings in southern England, on a hill now known as Battle. Harold had won a victory against the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge in the north only days earlier, and marched his exhausted army south to meet William, who had landed with an invasion force. The English shield wall held for much of the day, until the Normans, helped by feigned retreats and archers and cavalry, broke it, and Harold was killed. William was crowned king at Westminster on Christmas Day and went on to conquer England, changing its language, law, and ruling class. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts these events.
Before and after
- from 1065 to 1833Kingdom of Castile
- 1066Construction of Tower of London
- 20 September 1066Battle of Fulford
- from 28 September 1066 to 1 January 1075Norman conquest of England
- 14 October 1066Battle of Hastings
- 30 December 10661066 Granada Anti-Jewish massacre
- 1067Construction of Wartburg
- c. 1067Origins of Minsk
- 1070Construction of Windsor Castle
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1095 to 1291Crusades
- 1206Temujin is proclaimed Genghis Khan
- 1212Children's Crusade
- from 1213 to 1221Fifth Crusade
- from 18 July 1270 to 30 October 1270Eighth Crusade
- 30 March 1282Sicilian Vespers
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 11th century.