Battle of Hastings

The battle of Hastings, in which the Anglo-Saxon king Harold II attempted to defend his realm from the invasion forces of William, Duke of Normandy (later known as William the Conqueror), took place on 14 October 1066. The battle, won by William, marked the beginning of the Norman conquest of 1066. The Norman conquest heralded a dramatic and irreversible turning point in English history: William the Conqueror 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. He also set about transforming the face of Anglo-Saxon England: 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

Medieval-style illustration of a crowned figure and companion reclining beside a table of fruit, looking toward ships and a battle scene in the sky above a green landscape.

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How cruel was William the Conqueror to the Anglo-Saxons? This document reveals the "miserable" truth. 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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The making of the Bayeux Tapestry: who made it, how long did it take, and how has it survived?

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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Politically embarrassing to politically powerful: how the Bayeux Tapestry became a tool of diplomacy

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Churchill and the Crown. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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The Bayeux Tapestry’s secret code of tyranny and injustice. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Composite image of Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland wearing a Viking helmet and the Norway national team shirt, standing with his hands on his hips against an illustrated background of Viking longships filled with oarsmen. The image links Haaland and Norway’s modern 'Viking row' football celebration with historical depictions of Viking seafarers.

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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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Politics and the Bayeux Tapestry: the inside story of the blockbuster loan to the British Museum

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A new take on the battle of Hastings. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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

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.

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Episode 4How William the Conqueror brutally secured rule of England. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 3How 1066 altered England’s fate FOREVER. 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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Not 1066 again! Should we ditch our obsession with dates?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 2The LAST Anglo-Saxon kings of England | Harold II and the road to 1066. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 1 The VIKING king of England: the story of King Cnut and the Danish conquest of 1016. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Two figures cut out from the Bayeux Tapestry and digitally rearranged, with one appearing to use an oversized needle and thread to embroider a mounted warrior below. The collage places the figures against a blank section of linen bordered by sections of the original tapestry.

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Just how many Bayeux Tapestries were there?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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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Far away from England, the mystery of Harold Godwinson's lost crown might have just been solved

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Video podcastLife of the Week: Harold Godwinson (Harold II). This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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1066: the pope and the conqueror. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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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Turning points1066: The year of four kings. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Tostig Godwinson, brother of King Harold II of England, and King Harald Hardrada of Norway receive the submission of the city of York

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Hastings, Stamford Bridge and Gate Fulford: three battles that lost England

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.

A depiction of the Norman army, from the Bayeux Tapestry

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Battle of Hastings quiz: how much do you know about the 1066 clash?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry HistoryExtra podcast series title card

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Unravelling the Bayeux TapestryEpisode 4: What's missing?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry HistoryExtra podcast series title card

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Unravelling the Bayeux TapestryEpisode 3: What story does the Tapestry tell?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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