Battle of Hastings
1066 CE · England
The Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066 CE in England between Normans, Bretons and Flemings vs Anglo-Saxon England; decisive Norman victory; Harold was killed and William became King of England.
Battle of Hastings: quick facts
- Date
- 1066 CE
- Location
- England
- Belligerents
- Normans, Bretons and Flemings vs Anglo-Saxon England
- Commanders
- William, Duke of Normandy vs King Harold Godwinson
- Result
- decisive Norman victory; Harold was killed and William became King of England.
- Era
- 🏰 Medieval Europe
- Quiz difficulty
- easy
What happened at the Battle of Hastings?
On October 14, 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II's Saxon army, changing English history forever. Harold was killed, allegedly by an arrow to the eye, and William became the first Norman King of England. The battle introduced feudalism to England and profoundly influenced the English language, culture, and aristocracy for centuries to come.
Did you know?
The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Battle of Hastings, is actually an embroidery, not a tapestry. It stretches 230 feet long and was likely commissioned by Bishop Odo, William's half-brother.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Hastings on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.