King William I (the Conqueror)

William maintained that Edward the Confessor had promised him the succession and that Harold Godwinson had sworn to support his claim. Harold became king in 1066, and William invaded England to challenge him.

William's Norman army used archers, infantry, and cavalry against Harold's shield-wall on Senlac Hill. After a day-long battle on October 14, 1066, Harold was killed and the English army collapsed.

William's forces devastated parts of northern England in 1069 and 1070 while suppressing rebellions and Danish intervention. Contemporary and later accounts describe widespread destruction, hunger, and displacement.

William commissioned the great survey in 1085 to record landholding, resources, and taxable value across much of England. The resulting Domesday Book gave the crown detailed information about the kingdom it controlled.