 On 5 January 1066 Edward the Confessor , King of England , died . Edward 's lack of children meant there was no clear legitimate successor , leading eventually to a succession dispute . Some medieval writers state that shortly before Edward 's death he named his brother @-@ in @-@ law , Harold Godwinson , Earl of Wessex , as his heir . Others claim that Edward had promised the throne to his cousin , William , Duke of Normandy , a powerful autonomous ruler in northern France . Harold , the most powerful English noble , took the initiative and was crowned king on 6 January . William , lacking Harold 's proximity to the centres of English royal government , gathered troops and prepared an invasion fleet . He invaded England in October , and subsequently defeated and killed Harold at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 . William was crowned on Christmas Day at Westminster , becoming William I. 
