Battle of Hastings: A History from Beginning to End

In 1066, England was in a state of turmoil. King Edward the Confessor had died, leaving behind no heirs and no clear line of succession. It is said that he had promised the English throne to his distant cousin, William, the Duke of Normandy, but after Edward’s death, Harold Godwinson took the throne, claiming that the king had left it to him just before he passed away. The crowning of Harold met with William’s displeasure, and he immediately prepared to invade England. An invasion of England—known for its fierce warriors and mighty army and navy—necessitated that William gather as many troops as he could find.

Meanwhile, Harold’s brother, Tostig, had joined forces with King Harald Hardrada of Norway, a Viking who saw England as ripe for conquest. Over the months of September and October in 1066, events would come to a head with William, Hardrada, and Tostig converging on England to fight Harold for the crown. Only one would leave the Battle of Hastings alive.