1066
William invaded England
The year of the Norman Conquest, when William, Duke of Normandy, defeated the English king Harold II at the Battle of Hastings and claimed the English throne.
The date marks a fundamental turning point in English history, language, and culture—the last successful invasion of England.
In British education, 1066 is often the first historical date children learn.
1066 Norman-Saxon clash
- Norman ConquestFrench duke's English takeover
- William the ConquerorNorman who invaded England
- Bayeux TapestryEmbroidered 1066 conquest chronicle
- HastingsEnglish seaside town, historic
Harold Godwinson · Normans · Saxons · Anglo-Saxon · invasion · conquest · Stamford Bridge · Harald Hardrada
Drainage area boundary
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- transformationThorough change in form
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
before and after · pivotal · cultural transformation · regime change · new era · Old English · Norman French
Battle of Hastings
1066 Norman-Saxon clash
- Norman ConquestFrench duke's English takeover
- William the ConquerorNorman who invaded England
- Bayeux TapestryEmbroidered 1066 conquest chronicle
Harold Godwinson · Hastings · Normans · Saxons · Anglo-Saxon · invasion · conquest · Stamford Bridge · Harald Hardrada · Domesday Book
watershed
Drainage area boundary
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- transformationThorough change in form
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
revolution · before and after · pivotal · cultural transformation · regime change · new era · Old English · Norman French
- Medieval Dates1099
1066unconquered
Never overcome or subdued
Spanish Armada · 1940 · Agincourt · Battle of Britain · Trafalgar