BattlefieldsBattle of Hastings
Early Medieval

Battle of Hastings

1066
East Sussex, England
Also known as: Battle of Senlac Hill · Battle of Senlac · Battle of Caldbec Hill
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
East Sussex, England
Status
Registered · ENG 3
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Harold Godwinson (English)
Forces
English forces under Harold Godwinson (c. 7,000–8,000).
VS
Victor
William the Conqueror (Normans)
Forces
Norman forces under William the Conqueror (c. 7,000–8,000)
Outcome
Harold killed; English army destroyed; Norman Conquest sealed
The Battle

History & Significance

The most consequential battle in English history. Harold, having marched his exhausted army south from Stamford Bridge, faced William's Norman-Franco-Flemish force on Senlac Hill. After a day-long battle lasting from morning to dusk, Harold was killed — traditionally shot in the eye by an arrow — and the English shield-wall broke. The Norman Conquest that followed transformed English language, law, aristocracy, church, and culture. Nothing before or since has so fundamentally remade England.

Casualties & Losses

Harold and his brothers Gyrth and Leofwine killed; English thegnly class virtually wiped out

Registered Historic Battlefield

This battlefield is listed on the Register of Historic Battlefields — a national designation identifying Britain's most significant battle sites for protection and further research. Reference: ENG 3.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around East Sussex

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near East Sussex