THE HISTORY DESK / EVENT GUIDE
When Was the Battle of Hastings? 14 October 1066
The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066. William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II’s army near the present-day town of Battle in East Sussex.
Dates to keep straight
- 25 September 1066 — Harold defeats Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge near York. This was a separate battle against a Norwegian claimant.
- 14 October 1066 — William’s army defeats Harold’s at Hastings. This is the date to use for the battle.
- 25 December 1066 — William is crowned king. The coronation follows the victory by more than two months.
Which date does the clue ask for?
The Norman conquest is the broader process. For a clue about combat near Battle Abbey, use 14 October. For a clue about William becoming a crowned king, use Christmas Day. Both events belong to 1066, but they answer different questions.
Try a quick recall check
How far apart are the Battle of Hastings and Magna Carta?
149 years. The battle was in 1066 and King John sealed the charter at Runnymede in 1215. The two dates anchor very different episodes in English history.