Invasion 1066: The Battle of Hastings

About this board game

Invasion 1066: The Battle of Hastings is a two-player game about William the Conqueror’s attempt to become King of England, with Harold defending his throne. Released in 2014, it has a listed play time of 140 minutes.

Set across a battlefield mapped at 50 meters per hex, the game presents forces whose units range from 100 to 250 men. Its design is described as quick-playing and bloody, combining accessible mechanisms with details that reflect the events and forces of the battle.

Players face important battlefield pressures beyond simply moving troops. Army morale varies by troop type, while cavalry charges create opportunities for decisive action. Leader loss can affect the course of the battle, adding another risk to the struggle between the invading and defending armies.

• Two-player conflict: Play as William the Conqueror or Harold.
• Battlefield scale: Maneuver across a map where each hex represents 50 meters.
• Varied forces: Units represent between 100 and 250 men.
• Historical touches: Use cavalry charges, troop-type morale, arrow supply, Saxon javelins, and the Papal banner.

Arrow supply and Saxon javelins add distinctive ranged-weapon considerations, while the Papal banner brings another historical feature into the game. These elements are included in an easy-to-play package intended to capture the character of the confrontation without relying on complicated mechanisms.

Whether you aim to secure the crown as William or preserve Harold’s rule, Invasion 1066: The Battle of Hastings focuses on a direct, dramatic contest with clear choices and dangerous consequences. Its combination of a compact rules approach, historical details, and bloody action makes the battle easy to enter while keeping the outcome uncertain.