The key battle fought in 1066, leading to the Norman Conquest of England, was the Battle of Hastings. This decisive conflict occurred on October 14, where William, the Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II of England. The battle’s outcome marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England and initiated a significant shift in the country’s culture, language, and governance. The Norman Conquest profoundly influenced English history, leading to changes in the aristocracy and the introduction of Norman customs and governance structures.