1.4.1
The Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings was the final victory in William's invasion. His invasion of England landed in the UK on the 28th September and the Battle of Hastings happened on the 14th October 1066.
Harold's army moved north - September 1066
Harold's army moved north - September 1066
- Harold II's army had marched north to support the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria against Harald Hardrada.
- On the 25th of September 1066, Harold Godwinson defeated Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge.
- Harold II had marched his army north, believing that William of Normandy would not invade in 1066. The wind conditions made sailing across the English Channel difficult and most armies do not attack during winter, because of the difficulties of fighting and creating temporary camps during winter.
William of Normandy sets sail
William of Normandy sets sail
- Despite the bad wind conditions, William of Normandy set sail in September, whilst Harold's army was near York.
- The Norman fleet landed in Sussex, at a place called Pevensey. His soldiers set foot on English soil on the 28th September 1066.
- Harold's army did not begin to march from York to the south of England until the 2nd of October 1066.
- Harold's army was very tired. They had marched from the South to York and back in the space of 2 weeks. Some soldiers had also been injured in the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
The march to meet William
The march to meet William
- Harold II's army marched down from York and on the 14th October 1066, Harold's army met William of Normandy's army near Hastings, another town in Sussex.
Overview of the battle
Overview of the battle
- Harold tried to defeat William of Normandy using a surprise attack. However, William's army saw the English troops.
- Usually, armies try to secure 'the high ground' either at the top of a hill or on top of a mountain. Harold II's army managed to 'gain the upper hand' and position itself at the top of the hill.
- After 9 hours of fighting, the English shield wall, which was supposed to be protecting English troops from the Norman archers was beginning to fail, as men got more tired. Harold II was killed. Popular myth says that he was killed by an arrow through his eye, but most historians dispute this.
- The death of Harold effectively meant William had won the English throne.
Military Tactics in the Battle of Hastings
Military Tactics in the Battle of Hastings
Tactics played a very important role in the outcome of the Battle of Hastings.
Norman archers vs English shield wall
Norman archers vs English shield wall
- William's archers fired arrows at the English from a very long distance. This meant that English troops could not throw javelins far enough to hurt the Norman soldiers. The range of archers is further than men can throw javelins.
- The English used shields, put one next to the other, to create a 'shield wall'. This helped to protect the English troops from the arrows but also defends well against 'infantry' who are troops on foot.
The poor discipline of the English troops
The poor discipline of the English troops
- Historians report that when the Normans retreated (backed away from the battle), English soldiers chased after them. This is called breaking rank.
- Imagine the English being well-organised in a long wall of shields, before then all running after the Normans.
- The shield wall would have been destroyed, exposing the English troops to the Norman arrows and the English soldiers would have then been in a 1-1 battle with Norman soldiers using things like swords.
- Chasing after the Normans showed a lack of strategy or discipline, which may have led the English to lose the battle.
High vs low ground
High vs low ground
- Harold II's English army had the high ground. Usually being higher than an opponent is an advantage.
- Being higher, usually means that you can effectively fire arrows further, throw javelins further, and infantry are more tired if they have run uphill to attack you.
- The English army had the high ground, by standing on a hill, but still lost the battle.
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
Jump to other topics
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
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