Hastings Base Established
William establishes Hastings as the main fortified base for his army while waiting for Harold's approach.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William Normandy Biography and Timeline — Page 2
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
2 of 2Page
1066–1066Years on this page
1066
Pressure on Harold
William's occupation and ravaging of the Hastings area puts political and military pressure on Harold to seek battle.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Sussex Foraging Operations
William allows troops to obtain supplies from the surrounding countryside while keeping the army close to its ships.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Advance
Norman forces threaten London from the south bank of the Thames
Role range: 1066-1066
Crossing at Wallingford
William uses the Thames crossing at Wallingford to continue a western encirclement of London instead of attacking the city directly.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Illness
William is reported to have delayed after illness during the advance toward London
Role range: 1066-1066
Thames Valley Advance
William advances through the Thames Valley after failing to secure an immediate submission from London.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Coronation Acclamation
William is acclaimed in both English and French during his Christmas Day coronation at Westminster Abbey.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Coronation Completed amid Disorder
William and the clergy complete the coronation service while smoke and disorder drive many people from the abbey.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Coronation Fire
Norman guards mistake the coronation acclamation for an attack and set nearby buildings on fire outside Westminster Abbey.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Coronation of William the Conqueror
William is crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey
Role range: 1066-1087
Coronation
William is crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey
Role range: 1066-1087
Ealdred Officiates
William receives the crown from Ealdred, Archbishop of York, because Archbishop Stigand does not perform the ceremony.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
English Coronation Rite
William is crowned according to the established English coronation rite, reinforcing the legitimacy of his new kingship.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Crown Accepted
William agrees to take the English crown after the leading men of London and other magnates submit to his authority.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
English Leaders Submit
William receives the submission of leading English nobles at Berkhamsted as organised resistance around London collapses.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Entry
William enters London after securing the submission of leading English nobles
Role range: 1066-1066
March
William circles west of London to pressure the city into submission
Role range: 1066-1066
Appeal for Papal Support
William seeks papal approval for his expedition, strengthening the religious and political case presented for invading England.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Challenge to Harold's Kingship
William rejects Harold's accession and presents himself as the rightful successor to Edward the Confessor.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Claim
William of Normandy asserts that Edward promised him the English throne
Role range: 1035-1087
Papal Blessing Received
William obtains papal support for his claim and incorporates the blessing into the justification for his English expedition.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
William presents Harolds earlier oath as evidence supporting the Norman claim to
William presents Harolds earlier oath as evidence supporting the Norman claim to England
Role range: 1035-1087
Allied Contingents Summoned
William summons Norman, Breton, Frankish and Flemish allies to provide men, ships, horses and equipment for the invasion.
Role range: 1066-1066 – 1035-1087
Command
William organises his army into Norman Breton Flemish and French contingents
Role range: 1066-1066
Logistics
Horses weapons and provisions are collected for a large amphibious invasion
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.