BattlefieldsSubmission of Canterbury to William I 1066
Medieval

Submission of Canterbury to William I 1066

1066
Kent, England
Also known as: Canterbury submission October 1066 · Kent yields to William the Conqueror
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Canterbury city and Archbishop Stigand
Forces
c. 500 Canterbury garrison/citizens
VS
Victor
William the Conqueror
Forces
c. 2,500 William forces
Outcome
Canterbury submitted peacefully; Archbishop Stigand submitted; William received keys of the city
The Battle

History & Significance

After Hastings, Romney and Dover, William marched to Canterbury where the city submitted without resistance. Archbishop Stigand, the controversial occupant of the see of Canterbury, also submitted to William here. The submission of Canterbury and its archbishop was symbolically crucial — it signalled the acquiescence of the English church to Norman rule. William then moved north and west, encircling London, before the city submitted and he was crowned at Westminster on Christmas Day 1066.

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