The Battle of Hastings occurs on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II.

It takes place at Senlac Hill, approximately 10 km (61⁄4 miles) northwest of Hastings, close to the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex, and is a decisive Norman victory.Harold II is killed in the battle—legend has it that he was shot through the eye with an arrow.

He is the last English king to die in battle on English soil until Richard III is killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

The battle marks the last successful foreign invasion of the British Isles.

Although there is further English resistance, this battle is seen as the point at which William gains control of England, becoming its first Norman ruler as King William I.The battle also establishes the superiority of the combined arms attack over an army predominately composed of infantry, demonstrating the effectiveness of archers, cavalry and infantry working cooperatively together.

The dominance of cavalry forces over infantry will continue until the emergence of the longbow, and battles such as Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt in the Hundred Years War.The famous Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events before and during the battle.

Battle Abbey marks the site where it is believed that the battle was fought.

Founded by King William "the Conqueror" (as he becomes known), it serves as a memorial to the dead and may have been an act of penance for the bloodshed.

The site is open to the public and is the location of annual reenactments of the battle.