6. The Battle of Hastings (1066)

The great battle fought near the English seaside town of Hastings on October 14th 1066 was perhaps the most significant in England's history. The great victory won that day by Duke William of Normandy over Harold II of England was to shape forever the destiny of a nation. For at the end of a day of furious battle, the sun set not only on the dead and wounded who littered Senlac Hill, but also on the entire Anglo-Saxon way of life.