William Nicholson is going back to his period piece roots for his next project. According to Variety, Nicholson has been tapped to write 1066, about the battle to end all battles in England.

The film will revolve around the epic battle between King Harold and William the Conquerer for the throne of England, which concluded with the Battle of Hastings. William's win led to the Norman's rule and the battle was the last successful invasion of Great Britain. The film will concentrate on the relationship between Harold and William, once great friends who turned into bitter rivals for the throne. Harold's death - by an arrow to the eye - is legendary still to this day in England.

Nicholson, who also wrote the epic Best Picture winner Gladiator, is writing the film for Shine Pictures, which has greenlit the film and fast-tracked it for a prodcution start late this year.