27 September – William the Conqueror and his army set sail from the mouth of the River Somme to begin the invasion of England. He was also known as William the Bastard because he was the illegitimate child of Robert I (Duke of Normandy) and Herleva, the Duke’s mistress.

William was only 7 or 8 years old when his father died at Nicea on his way back from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. William’s succession wasn’t smooth both because he was illegitimate and because of his age. However, with the support of the French king Henry I, William became the Duke of Normandy in 1035, but the first 25 years of his reign was spent securing his rule in Normandy.

William, who had a claim to the English throne because he was related to Edward the Confessor decided to challenge Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother-in-law, who had taken the throne after Edward’s death.

William set sail with his army on 27 September, landing at Pevensey on the English south coast on 28 September, by December 25 1066 William was crowned king of England, becoming the first Norman king of England.