William the Conqueror on the Bayeux Tapestry

William the Conqueror

The first Norman king of England, William the Conqueror (previously William, Duke of Normandy) defeated the Anglo-Saxon king Harold II at the battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 – a triumph famously recorded in the Bayeux Tapestry. William the Conqueror transformed the face of Anglo-Saxon England: he skillfully secured his hold on the lands he had invaded, replacing the English ruling class with Norman counterparts and building defensive fortresses at strategic points throughout the kingdom. Under William the feudal system [a hierarchical system in which people held lands in return for providing loyalty or services to a lord] was introduced; the church was reorganised and England’s links to Europe were strengthened. But no one at the time called William ‘the Conqueror’ – the earliest recorded use of that nickname occurred in the 1120s, and the name didn’t become commonplace until the 13th century

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Episode 6Why the Nazis loved the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 5The mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 4Who made the Bayeux Tapestry?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 3The Bayeux Tapestry’s ‘big moment’. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

This 19th-century illustration depicts Harold Godwinson swearing fealty to William of Normandy

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The Bayeux Tapestry: what is it, why was it made and what story does it tell?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman invasion of 1066

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Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron are pictured in front of an enlarged image of the Bayeux Tapestry. Burnham looks towards the smiling French president, while a scene from the medieval embroidery fills the background.

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A nighttime projection of the Bayeux Tapestry illuminates the White Cliffs of Dover, depicting Norman ships crossing the Channel alongside the word “Merci!” and the British Museum logo, celebrating the tapestry’s loan to the UK in summer 2026.

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I correctly predicted that the Bayeux Tapestry would come home. But is football coming home too?

A stylised illustration shows sections of the Bayeux Tapestry rolled up and tied, standing upright inside an open cardboard box marked “special delivery”. The bright yellow background features faint imagery and text, evoking news coverage of the tapestry’s proposed loan.

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A tailor in a black vest and white shirt holds two large horns as he attaches them to a Viking’s helmet. The Viking wears a grey helmet, blue tunic, feathered cloak, and has a long orange beard, all set against a bright green background

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A cartoon-style rubber date stamp with a red top and a yellow crown sits on a stack of three yellow books labeled 1, 2, and 3. The stamp’s rotating number bands are visible, and the books are arranged like steps against a plain background.

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A section of the Bayeux Tapestry showing several mounted Norman figures riding left across the scene. The men wear simple tunics and carry spears; their horses are stylised with patterned manes. On the right, a nobleman holds a falcon on his gloved hand, indicating a falconry scene. Decorative animals and small trees fill the border, and a line of Latin text runs above the figures.

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Is the Bayeux Tapestry in "mortal danger"? I think that's the wrong question to ask

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The RUDE SECRETS of the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry showing soldiers crossing the Channel in a large sailing ship, with shields lining the sides of the vessel. Other ships are visible nearby, while animals and decorative motifs appear in the border below.

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Conquest? What conquest? The other dramatic events that really mattered in 1066. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A painting of a ship with several white sails and flags on it. In front of the ship, there are large crowds of people in small boats

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A colourful illustration inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, showing women embroidering scenes of medieval warriors, archers and a mounted knight onto a large piece of fabric. The tapestry is draped over a tree-stump table, with balls of coloured wool scattered around it.

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Michael Wood on women’s contributions to the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A black and white photograph shows two men standing with their faces very close together. They both have serious expressions on their faces and are staring down the lens of the camera. Across the bottom are the words KING & CONQUEROR

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The wrong moustache in the Battle of Hastings. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A drawing of a king holding a crown on his head, against a black and white image of a church

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An aerial view of the River Brathay winding through the Lake District landscape towards Elter Water, surrounded by green fields and woodland. Sunlight illuminates the hills and colourful foliage, with mountains rising beneath clouds in the distance.

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The second Norman conquest: how William Rufus captured a forgotten kingdom. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Image of Empress Matilda

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Part two in our 20-part series looking at decisive moments of the last 1,000 years in British history explores 1050–1099

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William the Conqueror was the second king of England to be crowned in 1066

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The coronation of William of Normandy on Christmas Day in 1066

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Cnut's invasion of England: setting the scene for the Norman conquest. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Matilda (circa 1031-1083) was Queen Consort of William the Conqueror. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)

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Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry HistoryExtra podcast series title card

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Unravelling the Bayeux TapestryEpisode 5: What now?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066. Had Harold survived it, William might have found his position untenable because of straightforward logistics, says historian Marc Morris

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What if...William the Conquerer had lost at Hastings?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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