Photo of the Tower of London

Norman

A new take on the battle of Hastings. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Illustration of the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson, crowned and holding a scepter and orb, with scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry in the background.

One of medieval history’s biggest mysteries has just been solved – and it rewrites 1066

A section of the Bayeux Tapestry showing several mounted Norman figures riding left across the scene. The men wear simple tunics and carry spears; their horses are stylised with patterned manes. On the right, a nobleman holds a falcon on his gloved hand, indicating a falconry scene. Decorative animals and small trees fill the border, and a line of Latin text runs above the figures.

Is the Bayeux Tapestry in "mortal danger"? I think that's the wrong question to ask

The RUDE SECRETS of the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

This scene comes from the Bayeux Tapestry, the nearly 70-metre-long embroidered narrative that chronicles the events leading to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

The Bayeux Tapestry is beautiful, but what was its purpose? New research might have the answer

11th-century Europe: not just the Norman Conquest. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration of Matilda of Flanders, queen consort of William the Conqueror. As queen after the Norman Conquest, Matilda played a key political role.

The conqueror’s queen: meet the real Matilda of Flanders

William the Conqueror: life of the week. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Illustration of Emma of Normandy and two of her children

King and Conqueror’s most gruesome death should never have happened and would be “totally out of character”

A drawing of a king holding a crown on his head, against a black and white image of a church

Far away from England, the mystery of Harold Godwinson's lost crown might have just been solved

A woman in a grey cloak holds a swaddled infant to her shoulder

Edith the Fair: the life of Harold Godwinson’s first wife

Luther Ford as Tostig Godwinson in BBC drama King and Conqueror

How Tostig Godwinson’s brotherly betrayal hastened the fall of the Anglo-Saxons

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror in BBC Norman Conquest drama King and Conqueror

How historically accurate is King and Conqueror? Here’s the real history that should have happened

This posthumous portrait of William I, known as the Conqueror, was painted c.1590–1610 and is held by the National Portrait Gallery, London. Though created centuries after his death, it reflects early modern interest in the legacy of England’s first Norman monarch. (Photo by Getty Images)

Meet the real William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who reshaped England

Illustrations of Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror

How well did Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror know each other prior to the battle of Hastings?

A collage of four images, depicting four different kings against a blue background

1066: who was the rightful king?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the Normans sailing across the channel

The Bayeux Tapestry: a political football for 900 years

Thomas Becket: life of week. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Members of the Nazi party examining the Bayeux Tapestry.

Second World War

The strange story of the Nazi obsession with this legendary artefact still isn't over

The coronation of Harold Godwinson as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry

Is this toilet the ultimate Anglo-Saxon status symbol? Inside Harold II’s ‘ensuite’

A collage showing historical babies. Edward VI as a baby, Edward VIII as a baby, and a depiction of the baby Jesus.

Historical baby names: a guide to baby name trends from the Anglo-Saxons to today

Dismemberment & disgrace: the grisly fate of Simon de Montfort. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Shield of the English version of the British royal coat of arms, with the motto 'Dieu at Mon Droit'

Q&AWhat is the meaning of the British Royal Family’s motto?

The river Brathay finding its way to Elder Water lake during a sunny Autumn morning (Photo by Daniel Bosma/Getty)

The second Norman conquest: how William Rufus captured a forgotten kingdom. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Video podcastLife of the Week: Harold Godwinson (Harold II). This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Matilda of Scotland: the queen behind the veil. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Anglo-Saxon thegns

Q&AWho was Eadnoth the Staller?

Unravelling the Bayeux Tapestry HistoryExtra podcast series title card

The Bayeux TapestryUnravel its secrets

British castles: everything you wanted to know. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Scene of knights in battle, detail from Bayeux tapestry or tapestry of Queen Matilda, France, 11th century

The NormansWho were they & why did they invade England?