Want to learn about the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England? 

This self-paced course provides you with the resources and background necessary for understanding these pivotal historic events. It will give you multiple perspectives through both primary and secondary sources, as well as video commentary from the instructor to guide you through them. 

Module 1

The Background to the Conquest

This module details the situation in Normandy and England in the 1050s and 1060s, along with the major leaders of this period.

Module 2

The Prelude to Hastings

This module details the important books and articles related to King Harold II’s rule, the Norwegian Invasion and battles in northern England, and William’s crossing of the English Channel.

Module 3

The Chroniclers

How do we know about this historic event? This module contains information describing the various written sources related to the Norman Conquest.

Module 4

The Bayeux Tapestry

Learn what we know about the iconic artistic depiction of the Battle of Hastings, along with new research on it.

Module 5

The Battle of Hastings

Learn which are the important books and articles related to the battle itself, including where it was fought and why the Normans won it.

Meet Your Instructor

Peter Konieczny

Peter Konieczny is the editor of Medievalists.net and was previously the editor of Medieval Warfare magazine. He is a specialist in medieval warfare.