An English coastal region associated with the Norman victory of 1066.
The region around Hastings in East Sussex was the site of the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, where William of Normandy defeated and killed Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
The battle was fought at Senlac Hill, some miles from the town, and ended with the collapse of the English shield-wall after hours of Norman cavalry and archer attacks.
Harold's army had marched south rapidly after defeating Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge five days earlier. Norman feigned retreats and sustained arrow volleys gradually weakened the shield-wall. Harold's death — the exact manner disputed between accounts — broke English resistance.
William's victory gave him control of England's south and the path to London. He was crowned at Westminster on Christmas Day 1066. Battle Abbey was later founded on the battlefield site, reportedly on the spot where Harold fell.