![\"\"](\"http:\/\/castlestudiestrust.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Bayeux_Sc.36_William_with_Papal_Banner-e1539101126604.jpg\")
<\/a>The story of the Norman Conquest and the battle of Hastings goes back before 1066. In 1051, Edward the Confessor promised William, Duke of Normandy, that when he died the Norman would become king of England. Harold Godwineson \u2013 a powerful Anglo-Saxon earl \u2013 met William and swore would recognise the duke\u2019s claim to the English throne when Edward died. But there was a twist still to come. Edward the Confessor fell ill late in 1065, and on his deathbed made Harold his heir. On hearing the news of Edward\u2019s death and Harold’s coronation, William sent a message to the pope, asking for his permission to invade England and take the crown.<\/p>\n
The calm before the storm<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/castlestudiestrust.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/7233212466_34c7b83fde_o-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>Chateau de Falaise in Normandy, where William grew up. Photo by Elisa Pictures<\/a>, licensed CC by NC-ND 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHarold had fought alongside William and expected the duke to attempt an invasion. The new king of England raised an army in May 1066 and camped in the south of England, ready to fight. With the pope\u2019s support, William built a fleet of ships for his army but bad weather prevented them from crossing the Channel. This delayed the invasion for so long, that in early September Harold disbanded his own fleet of ships.<\/p>\n
Everything happens at once<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/castlestudiestrust.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/41120702012_081a81ab10_k-1024x578.jpg\")
<\/a>William landed at Pevensey Bay on the morning of 28 September 1066 and fortified the nearby Roman fort. Photo by Richard Nevell<\/a>, licensed CC by-SA 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHarold\u2019s younger brother, Tostig, was in exile and had been raiding England. In September he and Harald Hadrada, king of Norway, landed 300 ships in northeast England to claim the English throne. At the battle of Fulford on 20 September they defeated an Anglo-Saxon army led by the earls of Northumbria and Mercia. Harold marched north, and on 25 September faced the invading army at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire. Tostig and the Norwegian king were both killed in the battle, ending in victory for Harold.<\/p>\n
While Harold\u2019s army was recovering after a bloody battle and a long march, William\u2019s luck changed. The weather turned, and he set sail across the Channel on 27 September, landing at Pevensey Bay in Sussex on the morning of 28 September. William and his Norman, French, and Breton soldiers set up camp in the Roman fort at Pevensey. They began raiding the local area which happened to belong to King Harold himself. News of William\u2019s arrival reached Harold in York on 1 October. He reacted to the news (and the insult) by marching back south, going via London to collect more soldiers.<\/p>\n
The Battle of Hastings begins<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Harold had fought alongside William and expected the duke to attempt an invasion. The new king of England raised an army in May 1066 and camped in the south of England, ready to fight. With the pope\u2019s support, William built a fleet of ships for his army but bad weather prevented them from crossing the Channel. This delayed the invasion for so long, that in early September Harold disbanded his own fleet of ships.<\/p>\n
Everything happens at once<\/h2>\n<\/a>William landed at Pevensey Bay on the morning of 28 September 1066 and fortified the nearby Roman fort. Photo by Richard Nevell<\/a>, licensed CC by-SA 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHarold\u2019s younger brother, Tostig, was in exile and had been raiding England. In September he and Harald Hadrada, king of Norway, landed 300 ships in northeast England to claim the English throne. At the battle of Fulford on 20 September they defeated an Anglo-Saxon army led by the earls of Northumbria and Mercia. Harold marched north, and on 25 September faced the invading army at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire. Tostig and the Norwegian king were both killed in the battle, ending in victory for Harold.<\/p>\n
While Harold\u2019s army was recovering after a bloody battle and a long march, William\u2019s luck changed. The weather turned, and he set sail across the Channel on 27 September, landing at Pevensey Bay in Sussex on the morning of 28 September. William and his Norman, French, and Breton soldiers set up camp in the Roman fort at Pevensey. They began raiding the local area which happened to belong to King Harold himself. News of William\u2019s arrival reached Harold in York on 1 October. He reacted to the news (and the insult) by marching back south, going via London to collect more soldiers.<\/p>\n
The Battle of Hastings begins<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Harold\u2019s younger brother, Tostig, was in exile and had been raiding England. In September he and Harald Hadrada, king of Norway, landed 300 ships in northeast England to claim the English throne. At the battle of Fulford on 20 September they defeated an Anglo-Saxon army led by the earls of Northumbria and Mercia. Harold marched north, and on 25 September faced the invading army at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire. Tostig and the Norwegian king were both killed in the battle, ending in victory for Harold.<\/p>\n
While Harold\u2019s army was recovering after a bloody battle and a long march, William\u2019s luck changed. The weather turned, and he set sail across the Channel on 27 September, landing at Pevensey Bay in Sussex on the morning of 28 September. William and his Norman, French, and Breton soldiers set up camp in the Roman fort at Pevensey. They began raiding the local area which happened to belong to King Harold himself. News of William\u2019s arrival reached Harold in York on 1 October. He reacted to the news (and the insult) by marching back south, going via London to collect more soldiers.<\/p>\n