106614 October 1066 · Battle, East Sussex

Battle of Hastings

The open grassy slope of the Hastings battlefield below Battle Abbey — Photo: Fanfwah. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Duke William of Normandy defeated King Harold II on a ridge north of Hastings after a day-long fight in which Harold was killed. William was crowned at Westminster that Christmas. The conquest replaced England's ruling class, brought Norman French into the language and covered the country with castles. William founded Battle Abbey on the battlefield.

Military & Battlefields
Royalty & Monarchy
London, United Kingdom

Sites

Site 1: Battle Abbey and battlefieldA walk over the slope to the stone marking where Harold fell.Map ↗
Site 2: Pevensey CastleRoman fort walls where William's army came ashore.Map ↗