14/10/2026
in 1066, two armies faced one another near Hastings in a battle that would change England forever.
King Harold Godwinson’s men had marched south after a bloody encounter at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire. Now, with little time to recover, they faced another invading army: the forces of William, Duke of Normandy.
Taking their position on Senlac Hill, the English fought on foot behind a formidable shield wall. Against them, William deployed infantry and cavalry, but for much of the day Harold’s men held their ground.
The turning point came when English troops broke ranks to pursue retreating Normans. Away from the protection of their tightly packed formation, they became vulnerable to cavalry attacks.
Harold was killed in the fighting, traditionally said to have been struck in the eye by an arrow. His loyal bodyguard continued to fight, but by the end of the battle, William had won.
The victory opened the way for the Norman Conquest, bringing a new ruling aristocracy and profound changes to England. The struggle for a crown had altered the course of a nation.
Read more about the Battle of Hastings in our article. Link in the comments.
