Who won the Battle of Hastings?

William, Duke of Normandy (later William the Conqueror) defeated King Harold II of England.

Why is 1066 important in British history?

1066 marks the Norman Conquest of England. William became King, and Norman rule transformed English society, law, language, and architecture.

How did King Harold II die?

Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings. Tradition says he was shot in the eye with an arrow, though this is debated by historians.

Battle of Hastings 1066: What the Life in the UK Test Asks

Key facts

Date: 14 October 1066
Victor: William, Duke of Normandy
Defeated: King Harold II
Result: Norman Conquest of England
William crowned: Christmas Day 1066

The Battle of Hastings is one of the most important events in British history. Fought on 14 October 1066, it changed England forever.

What Happened

In January 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without an heir. Harold Godwinson was crowned King of England, but William of Normandy believed he had been promised the throne.

William invaded England with approximately 7,000 soldiers. Harold marched south after defeating another invasion at Stamford Bridge. The armies met near Hastings.

The Battle

Harold's army held the high ground on Senlac Hill
The English fought with shields and axes in a "shield wall"
William used cavalry, archers, and infantry
After hours of fighting, Harold was killed (legend says by an arrow to the eye)
The English army collapsed and William won

The Norman Conquest

After Hastings, William marched to London. He was crowned King on Christmas Day 1066.

The Norman Conquest brought massive changes:

New ruling class - Norman lords replaced English nobles
Feudal system - Land granted in exchange for military service
Castles - William built castles across England to control the population
Domesday Book - A great survey of all England (1086)
Language - French became the language of the court and law

Legacy

The Battle of Hastings ended Anglo-Saxon England and began a new era. Norman French influenced English language, law, and culture for centuries.

Why it comes up in the test

The Battle of Hastings and 1066 are frequently tested. Know the date, the key figures, and the consequences.

Common traps

Confusing 1066 with other dates
Thinking the battle was in Hastings (it was nearby, at Senlac Hill)
Forgetting that Harold had just fought at Stamford Bridge

Battle of Hastings 1066: common questions

The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066.

Magna CartaA historic charter signed in 1215 that established the principle that everyone, including the King, was subject to the law.

Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.