Brittany Campaign
William campaigns in Brittany while Harold Godwinson is present in Normandy and accompanies the Norman forces.
Role range: 1035-1087
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William I the Conqueror Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow William I the Conqueror through 277 dated historical records for England.
William I the Conqueror, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
277Distinct records
2 of 7Page
1064–1066Years on this page
1064
Arrest of Harold II
Hands Harold Godwinson over to William I the Conqueror
Role range: 1066-1087
Arrest of Harold II
Hears of Harolds arrest & demands that Guy of Ponthieu hand him over to him
Role range: 1066-1087
Oath
Harold allegedly swears an oath to William supporting his claim to the English throne. Harold allegedly swears an oath supporting William Is claim to the Englishe throne
Role range: 1066-1087
Succession
Harold II swears an oath to William & supports his claim to the throne of England
Role range: 1066-1087
1065
Siege of Dol
William lays siege to Dol, represented on the Bayeux tapestry
Role range: 1066-1087
1066
Death of Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor dies, opening the succession crisis in which William asserts his claim to the English throne.
Role range: 1035-1087
Harold Crowned King
Harold Godwinson is crowned king, and William treats the accession as a rejection of his claimed right to succeed Edward.
Role range: 1035-1087
Coronation of William I the Conqueror
Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064
Role range: 1066-1087
Coronation
Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064
Role range: 1066-1087
Fleet Assembly at Dives
William gathers ships and troops at Dives while waiting for conditions suitable for crossing the Channel.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Invasion of England
Sets sail for St Valery-sur-Somme but loses some ships blown ashore by a westerly wind. Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme
Role range: 1066-1087
Channel Wind Changes
A favourable wind finally allows William's invasion fleet to leave Saint-Valery-sur-Somme for England.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Mora Leads Invasion Fleet
William sails aboard the Mora, which leads the invasion fleet across the Channel during the night.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Invasion of England
The invasion force sets sail, William leads the fleet out of the harbour in the Mora
Role range: 1066-1087
Landing at Pevensey
William lands unopposed at Pevensey with his army and begins establishing a secure base on the Sussex coast.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Invasion of England
During the morning the invaders are off Beachy Head
Role range: 1066-1087
Invasion of England
Lands at the old Roman castle & harbour at Pevensey. Lands at Pevensey, Sussex without any opposition, he commands a force of about 10,000
Role range: 1066-1087
Advance to Hastings
William moves his army from Pevensey toward Hastings and secures a stronger operating base.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Invasion of England
The invasion force heads off for Hastings where there is an unguarded road to London
Role range: 1066-1087
Fleet Moves to Saint-Valery
William transfers the invasion fleet to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme after prolonged delays caused by unfavourable winds.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Hastings Fortification
William establishes defensive works at Hastings while awaiting Harold's approach from the north.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Army Deploys at Senlac
William deploys his army below the English position at Senlac with archers, infantry and cavalry arranged for a combined assault.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Death of Harold at Hastings
Harold is killed during the final fighting, and the English army loses the leadership needed to continue organized resistance.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Norman Feigned Retreats
Norman forces exploit English pursuit during retreats and counterattack troops drawn away from the defensive ridge.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Norman Victory at Hastings
William wins the Battle of Hastings, eliminating Harold's field army but not yet securing control of England.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
William Rallies His Army
William raises his helmet and rides among his troops after a rumour spreads that he has been killed.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Battle of Hastings
Marches from Hastings & reaches Telhan Hill 1 mile from Harold. Marches 7 miles from north of Hastings to confront Harold & catch him by surprise. Fields 4,000 Normans, 1,500 Flemings & 2,000 Bretons. Commands the Norman centre. Carries a mace & wears the relics upon which Harold had sworn his oath. Battle commences at 9 am when William orders his archers to fire at the English line
Role range: 1066-1087
Battle of Hastings
Harold loses his element of surprise & the Normans attack
Role range: 1066-1087
Burial
Harold an oath-breaker had lost claim for a decent burial & is buried on the sea-shore
Role range: 1066-1087
Canterbury Submission
Canterbury submits as William advances through Kent after his victory at Hastings.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Dover Submission
Dover submits to William, giving the Normans control of a strategically important Channel port.
Role range: 1066-1072 – 1035-1087
Capture of Canterbury
After the Battle of Hastings Canterbury surrenders without a fight
Role range: 1066-1087
Capture of Dover
After the Battle of Hastings Dover surrenders without a fight
Role range: 1066-1087
Capture of Winchester
William captures Winchester from Queen Edith
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Berkhampstead
Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Berkshire
Attacks Edgars forces while laying siege to Southwark & moves upstream to Berkshire
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of London
William I the Conqueror crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead. Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of London
Cannot attack London directly so decides to surround it
Role range: 1066-1087
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.