News of Harold's Coronation
William learns that Harold Godwinson has taken the English crown and begins preparing to enforce his own claim.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William Normandy Biography and Timeline
Follow William Normandy through 66 dated historical records for France.
William Normandy, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
66Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1066–1066Years on this page
1066
Breton Forces Join
Breton allies join William's army and are later assigned to the left division at Hastings.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Dives Army Assembly
William concentrates troops near the mouth of the Dives as the invasion army gathers during late summer.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Fleet
William gathers ships and supplies on the Norman coast while waiting for favourable winds
Role range: 1066-1066
Flemish Forces Join
Flemish allies assemble with William's expedition and later fight with the right division at Hastings.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Frankish Forces Join
Frankish troops join William's coalition and strengthen the non-Norman elements of the invasion army.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Horse Transport Preparations
William's expedition prepares ships and loading arrangements so mounted troops and their horses can cross the Channel together.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Invasion Shipbuilding
William directs preparations for a large transport fleet capable of carrying cavalry, infantry, horses, weapons and supplies.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Invasion Supplies Collected
William's forces collect armour, weapons, food and other supplies needed to sustain the cross-Channel expedition.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Channel Departure
William's fleet leaves Normandy after the wind changes, beginning the invasion crossing toward the English coast.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Mora Leads the Fleet
William sails aboard the Mora as the ducal ship leads the invasion fleet across the Channel at night.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Night Channel Crossing
William's fleet crosses the Channel during the night without interception by an English naval force.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Landing
William lands at Pevensey after crossing the Channel from Normandy
Role range: 1066-1066
Occupation
The Norman army occupies the old Roman fortification at Pevensey
Role range: 1066-1066
Pevensey Defensive Ditch
William's troops strengthen the landing position by adapting the Roman fortifications and cutting defensive earthworks.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Pevensey Fortification
William establishes a temporary fortified position within the Roman defences at Pevensey immediately after landing.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Advance
William moves his army from Pevensey toward Hastings
Role range: 1066-1066
March from Pevensey
William moves his army east from Pevensey toward Hastings after securing the initial landing area.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Embarkation
The Norman fleet waits at Saint Valery before crossing the Channel
Role range: 1066-1066
Fleet Transfer to Saint-Valery
William shifts his invasion fleet to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme while waiting for winds suitable for the Channel crossing.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Waiting for a Favourable Wind
William keeps the invasion force concentrated at Saint-Valery while persistent contrary winds delay departure.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Archers Open the Battle
William sends archers forward at the opening of the battle before infantry and cavalry attack the English ridge.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Counterattack on Pursuers
William's cavalry turns on English soldiers who have left the protection of the shield wall during the pursuit.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Deployment
William deploys infantry archers and cavalry against the English position
Role range: 1066-1066
English Line Breaks
William's army finally penetrates the weakened English position after prolonged fighting throughout the day.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Feigned Retreat
Norman cavalry tactics draw some English fighters away from the ridge
Role range: 1066-1066
Final Combined Assault
William combines renewed archery with cavalry attacks during the final phase of the struggle against Harold's line.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
First Assault Repulsed
William's first attacks fail to break the English shield wall defending the ridge above the battlefield.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Norman Centre Command
William personally commands the Norman centre while allied contingents occupy the flanks of his battle line.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Pursuit after Hastings
William's troops pursue fleeing English forces after Harold's death ends organised resistance on the battlefield.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Repeated Feigned Withdrawals
William's forces use further withdrawals to draw English fighters downhill and weaken the defensive shield wall.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Rumour of William's Death
A rumour that William has been killed spreads during a retreat and threatens the cohesion of the Norman army.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Three-Division Battle Plan
William divides his army into Breton, Norman, and Frankish-Flemish divisions before the Battle of Hastings.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Victory
William wins the Battle of Hastings and opens the way to the English throne
Role range: 1066-1087
William Reveals His Face
William removes or raises his helmet so retreating troops can see that he remains alive and in command.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Advance
William moves from Dover toward Canterbury to extend control in Kent
Role range: 1066-1066
Advance
William advances toward Dover after the victory at Hastings
Role range: 1066-1066
Battlefield Reconnaissance
William's forces study the ground around Hastings while awaiting the English army returning from the north.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Castle
Norman forces secure Dover as a key Channel stronghold
Role range: 1066-1087
Castle
Norman forces build a temporary castle at Hastings to secure the landing area
Role range: 1066-1066
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.