<P> The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066 between the Norman - French army of William , the Duke of Normandy , and an English army under the Anglo - Saxon King Harold Godwinson , beginning the Norman conquest of England . It took place approximately 7 miles ( 11 kilometres ) northwest of Hastings , close to the present - day town of Battle , East Sussex , and was a decisive Norman victory . </P>
what norman leader won a military victory at the battle
William , the Duke of Normandy