1066: A Year to Conquer England

When King Edward the Confessor dies without an heir, it triggers a bitter race to succeed him as King of England. Earl Harold is on the spot and takes the crown. But in Normandy, Duke William believes the throne has been promised to him and decides to invade. Meanwhile in Norway, the Viking King Harald Hardrada, also fancies himself as King of England, and he too puts together an invasion force. Very soon, England will be under attack.

King Harold of England has to take on two invasion forces. First, his brother Tostig attacks the south coast. He is repelled, but there is more to come. Later in the year, a vast Viking invasion force led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway lands in the north of England. Harold rushes to Stamford Bridge to fight for his kingdom and for his life. Meanwhile, Duke William of Normandy is ready to invade, but storms keep his invasion fleet trapped in port.

After months of being trapped in port in northern France, the winds finally change and Duke William leads his vast invasion fleet across the Channel. But King Harold is 300 miles away in the north having defeated the Vikings. He has to rush back south, gather a new army, and head to Hastings to take on this new invasion. The two armies will meet at Battle in Sussex on 14th October 1066. And the outcome will change the shape of England and Europe forever.