History: William of Normandy

1066- 1087 - William of Normandy defeated the English king Harold Godwinson at Hastings, October 14, 1066. William was crowned king of England, and proceeded to take control of the nation. William annexed large tracts of land on behalf of the Normans and became one of the largest holders of English land. William commissioned a work known as the Domesday Book in 1086.