William Normandy Biography

William summons Norman, Breton, Frankish and Flemish allies to provide men, ships, horses and equipment for the invasion.

William seeks papal approval for his expedition, strengthening the religious and political case presented for invading England.

William rejects Harold's accession and presents himself as the rightful successor to Edward the Confessor.

William of Normandy asserts that Edward promised him the English throne

William organises his army into Norman Breton Flemish and French contingents

Horses weapons and provisions are collected for a large amphibious invasion

William obtains papal support for his claim and incorporates the blessing into the justification for his English expedition.

William presents Harolds earlier oath as evidence supporting the Norman claim to England

William learns that Harold Godwinson has taken the English crown and begins preparing to enforce his own claim.

Breton allies join William's army and are later assigned to the left division at Hastings.

William concentrates troops near the mouth of the Dives as the invasion army gathers during late summer.

William gathers ships and supplies on the Norman coast while waiting for favourable winds

Flemish allies assemble with William's expedition and later fight with the right division at Hastings.

Frankish troops join William's coalition and strengthen the non-Norman elements of the invasion army.

William's expedition prepares ships and loading arrangements so mounted troops and their horses can cross the Channel together.

William directs preparations for a large transport fleet capable of carrying cavalry, infantry, horses, weapons and supplies.

William's forces collect armour, weapons, food and other supplies needed to sustain the cross-Channel expedition.

The Norman fleet waits at Saint Valery before crossing the Channel

William shifts his invasion fleet to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme while waiting for winds suitable for the Channel crossing.

William keeps the invasion force concentrated at Saint-Valery while persistent contrary winds delay departure.

William's fleet leaves Normandy after the wind changes, beginning the invasion crossing toward the English coast.

William sails aboard the Mora as the ducal ship leads the invasion fleet across the Channel at night.

William's fleet crosses the Channel during the night without interception by an English naval force.

William lands at Pevensey after crossing the Channel from Normandy

The Norman army occupies the old Roman fortification at Pevensey

William's troops strengthen the landing position by adapting the Roman fortifications and cutting defensive earthworks.

William establishes a temporary fortified position within the Roman defences at Pevensey immediately after landing.

William moves his army from Pevensey toward Hastings

William moves his army east from Pevensey toward Hastings after securing the initial landing area.

William moves from Dover toward Canterbury to extend control in Kent

William advances toward Dover after the victory at Hastings

William's forces study the ground around Hastings while awaiting the English army returning from the north.

Norman forces secure Dover as a key Channel stronghold

Norman forces build a temporary castle at Hastings to secure the landing area

William establishes Hastings as the main fortified base for his army while waiting for Harold's approach.

William's occupation and ravaging of the Hastings area puts political and military pressure on Harold to seek battle.

William allows troops to obtain supplies from the surrounding countryside while keeping the army close to its ships.

William sends archers forward at the opening of the battle before infantry and cavalry attack the English ridge.

William's cavalry turns on English soldiers who have left the protection of the shield wall during the pursuit.

William deploys infantry archers and cavalry against the English position

William's army finally penetrates the weakened English position after prolonged fighting throughout the day.

Norman cavalry tactics draw some English fighters away from the ridge

William combines renewed archery with cavalry attacks during the final phase of the struggle against Harold's line.

William's first attacks fail to break the English shield wall defending the ridge above the battlefield.

William personally commands the Norman centre while allied contingents occupy the flanks of his battle line.

William's troops pursue fleeing English forces after Harold's death ends organised resistance on the battlefield.

William's forces use further withdrawals to draw English fighters downhill and weaken the defensive shield wall.

A rumour that William has been killed spreads during a retreat and threatens the cohesion of the Norman army.

William divides his army into Breton, Norman, and Frankish-Flemish divisions before the Battle of Hastings.

William wins the Battle of Hastings and opens the way to the English throne

William removes or raises his helmet so retreating troops can see that he remains alive and in command.

Norman forces threaten London from the south bank of the Thames

William uses the Thames crossing at Wallingford to continue a western encirclement of London instead of attacking the city directly.

William is reported to have delayed after illness during the advance toward London

William advances through the Thames Valley after failing to secure an immediate submission from London.

William agrees to take the English crown after the leading men of London and other magnates submit to his authority.

William receives the submission of leading English nobles at Berkhamsted as organised resistance around London collapses.

William enters London after securing the submission of leading English nobles

William circles west of London to pressure the city into submission

William is crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey

William is acclaimed in both English and French during his Christmas Day coronation at Westminster Abbey.

William and the clergy complete the coronation service while smoke and disorder drive many people from the abbey.

Norman guards mistake the coronation acclamation for an attack and set nearby buildings on fire outside Westminster Abbey.

William is crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey

William receives the crown from Ealdred, Archbishop of York, because Archbishop Stigand does not perform the ceremony.

William is crowned according to the established English coronation rite, reinforcing the legitimacy of his new kingship.