It was a resounding English victory. Harold had defended his kingdom, crushed the Viking threat, and restored his reputation as a warrior-king. But the celebration was short-lived.
October 1–13: The Long March South
Just days after the victory at Stamford Bridge, news arrived that William of Normandy had landed on the south coast of England on September 28, near Pevensey. Harold was forced to march his weary, battle-worn troops back down the length of England—another 250 miles—to face this new and formidable threat. Unlike the unarmored Norwegians, the Norman army was fresh, well-equipped, and included not just infantry but cavalry and archers—elements largely absent from the English army.
October 14: The Battle of Hastings
On the morning of October 14, Harold’s army, tired but determined, took up a strong defensive position on Senlac Hill near Hastings. William’s forces repeatedly attacked the English shield wall, but were initially repelled. Then, using a clever tactic—feigning retreat—William drew parts of the English army out of position. Slowly but surely, the Normans gained the upper hand.
In the final stages of the battle, King Harold was killed—traditionally believed to have been shot in the eye with an arrow, though this is debated. With his death, English resistance collapsed. William emerged victorious, and on Christmas Day 1066, he was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey.
The Aftermath: A New England
These eight days—from Stamford Bridge to Hastings—marked the end of Anglo-Saxon England. In less than three weeks, Harold Godwinson had fought two major battles, marched his army nearly 500 miles, and died defending his crown. The Norman Conquest brought profound changes to English society: the old Anglo-Saxon nobility was displaced, castles were built across the landscape, and Norman French influenced the English language.
Feudalism replaced older Anglo-Saxon traditions, and England became tied more closely to continental Europe. The Domesday Book, compiled two decades later, stands as a testament to the administrative revolution brought by the Normans.
Conclusion
The year 1066 is etched into English memory not just as a date, but as a turning point. The eight days that began with a northern invasion and ended with a southern conquest shaped the very identity of the English nation. They saw the end of one era and the beginning of another, as the Anglo-Saxon age gave way to the Norman rule. No other week in English history has witnessed such rapid and dramatic transformation. shutdown123