The Norman conquest of England was the invasion and occupation of England in the eleventh century by an army of Normans, Britons and French led by Duke William II of Normandy. William defeated Harold II of England on October 14, 1066 at the Battle of Hastings and was crowned as King of England on Christmas Day of that year. He then consolidated his control over England by establishing many of his followers on the island, which also involved the introduction of numerous political, economic and social changes in medieval England.