On 28 September 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, landed with his invasion force at Pevensey in Sussex. The arrival began the Norman invasion of England that would lead to the Battle of Hastings little more than two weeks later.

William had spent months assembling men, horses, ships and supplies, but crossing the Channel depended on the weather. His fleet had been delayed by unfavourable winds and was eventually forced eastwards to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. A suitable wind arrived on 27 September, and the fleet sailed that evening, crossing the Channel overnight.

The timing favoured William. King Harold II was hundreds of miles away. A Norwegian invasion led by Harald Hardrada, supported by Harold’s brother Tostig, had forced the English king north. Harold defeated them at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September, only three days before William reached the Sussex coast.

William therefore landed at Pevensey without opposition. His men occupied the old Roman fort and set up temporary defences before moving their main base toward Hastings. From there, the Norman army gathered supplies from the surrounding area while William waited for Harold’s response.

News of the landing reached Harold in the north. He turned south and gathered forces as he travelled.

On 14 October, sixteen days after the landing at Pevensey, the English and Norman armies met near Hastings. Harold was killed and the English army defeated. William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.