BattlefieldsNorman Storming of Romney — Reprisal 1066
Medieval

Norman Storming of Romney — Reprisal 1066

1066
Kent, England
Also known as: Romney 1066 Norman reprisal · Harold II men killed at Romney
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Romney townspeople
Forces
c. 300 Romney townspeople
VS
Victor
Normans (William I)
Forces
c. 2,000 Norman forces
Outcome
Romney attacked and burned by Norman forces as reprisal for killing of storm-blown Norman soldiers
The Battle

History & Significance

After the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror marched his army around the coast to Romney, which he burned in reprisal for the killing of Norman soldiers who had been blown there by storms during the crossing. Orderic Vitalis records the punishment as exemplary. From Romney, William moved to Dover and then Canterbury. The Romney action established the terror implicit in Norman conquest and showed William's determination to enforce obedience before moving on London.

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