William the Conqueror's Invasion Route

This map shows the route of William the Conqueror in late 1066 as he invaded and took control of England. William first moved his invasion fleet from the River Dives in Normandy to St. Valery.

When the conditions were suitable for a crossing William sailed his fleet across the English Channel. The fleet landed at Pevensey without opposition and William defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Dover was the next target as William needed the important Channel crossing point. Canterbury fell and William marched to London. He was forced back and marched around London via Newbury and Wallingford to Berkhamsted. Here the Archbishop of York and the Earls met William and accepted him as their new king.