William built three thousand ships, and filled them with mighty horses and brave men. He crossed the sea and landed at Pevensey. He left some of his troops there, and hurried on to Hastings with the rest. He built a castle there. Harold rode all night to reach the enemy. The battle began at nine o'clock, and went on all day. Harold fought in the front rank of the army, and he fell, covered with wounds.

Written by a monk called Robert at a monastery in Normandy, about four years after the Battle of Hastings

The Normans attacked before Harold's army was ready. The English fought hard, and many men were killed on both sides. King Harold was killed, and so were his brothers Leofwine and Gyrth.

Taken from an old book called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This part was possibly written by a monk in York shortly after 1066

King William sent his men to all parts of England. They had to find out how much land the king had. They also found out how much land the churches and his barons held. This was done so well that every scrap of land, and every ox, cow, and pig was put into the report.

Written by a monk at Worcester soon after the year 1100

Walter Robson: Medieval Britain; Oxford University Press, 1991/2000, page 7