The Conquest - Why Did William Win?

Test yourself

The Differences Between the Sides

The Anglo-Saxons and Normans set up their armies very differently.

Cavalry and knights

William of Normandy used cavalry well in battle.
Lots of the Norman Knights rode on horseback. They had lots of armour. They could not break down the shield wall of the English, but once the English chased the Norman foot soldiers, the Knights could ride around attacking lots of English soldiers in a row.
This made leaving the shield wall even more dangerous.
Horses also struggle to ride uphill, making keeping the high ground even more important.

Foot soldiers

Both Harold II and William of Normandy had foot soldiers.
A key moment in the battle was when the English soldiers (fyrds) chased the Normans down the hill as they retreated.
This meant that the English troops lost the high ground.
The Norman foot soldiers were better trained than the English and they had better weapons (lots of English soldiers just fought with knives from their houses).
So it seems that the English soldiers were ill-disciplined, badly-equipped and worse-trained. This made breaking rank and chasing the Normans even sillier.

Shield wall

The English shield wall was a good defence against the strengths of the Norman attack - horseback knights and archers.
The best English troops were called 'housecarls'. These were professionally trained soldiers who often used axes to attack their opponents.

Leadership

Some historians argue that William won because he was a better leader.
It is hard to know whether Harold's men were less well-trained was because they were raised from local earls (instead of a central royal army), or because Harold was a bad leader & tactician.
Losing the high ground and chasing the Norman soldiers down the hill contributed to Harold's defeat. However, this may not have happened because Harold was a bad leader. His troops were tired and fighting Harald and William one after the other was outside Harold's control.
William's strategy seemed good and his combination of knights and archers worked well.

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.1.1The Song Dynasty

1.1.2The Liao Dynasty

1.1.3The Jin Dynasty

1.1.4Achievements of Chinese Dynasties

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.2.1The Byzantine Empire

1.2.2Strengths & Weaknesses of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.3.1The Islamic Empire

1.3.2Achievements of the Islamic Empire

1.3.3The Umayyads & Abbasids

1.3.4Strengths & Weaknesses of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.1The Beginning of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.2Characteristics of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.3Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.4The Story of Otto III

1.4.5Strengths & Weaknesses of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.5.1The Hierarchy of the Church

1.5.2The Church Officials

1.5.3Methods of Worship

1.5.4Religious Life & Monasticism

1.5.5Key Figures & Events

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.6.1The Church, Education & Daily Life

1.6.2The Influence of the Church on Politics

1.6.3Strengths & Weaknesses of the Church's Influence

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.7.1Conflicts with the Church

1.7.2Excommunication of King Henry IV

1.7.3Religious Movements & Heresies

1.7.4The Crusades

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.8.1The Norman Conquest & Its Aftermath

1.8.2The Anarchy: A Civil War for the Crown

1.8.3The Plantagenet Family Feuds

1.8.4The Wars of the Roses

1.8.5The Story of The Princes in the Tower

1.8.6Strengths & Weaknesses of Dynastic Struggles

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9.1The Magna Carta

1.9.2The Rise of Parliament

1.9.3The Baron’s Wars

1.9.4Strengths & Weaknesses of Political Challenges

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.10.1The Power of the People

1.10.2The Peasants Revolt of 1381

1.10.3Women in the Peasants Revolt

1.10.4Jack Cade’s Rebellion in 1450

1.10.5The Legend of Robin Hood

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.11.1Medieval England & Wales

1.11.2The Rise of Welsh Princes

1.11.3The Legend of the Red Dragon

1.11.4The History of Medieval England and Scotland

1.11.5Castles & the Stone of Scone

1.11.6The History of Medieval England and France 1

1.11.7History of Medieval England & France 2

1.12European Renaissance

1.12.1The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 1

1.12.2The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 2

1.12.3Advancements in Science and Technology 1

1.12.4Advancements in Science and Technology 2

1.12.5Renaissance Art

1.12.6The Age of Exploration 1

1.12.7The Age of Exploration 2

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.13.1Pre-1066

1.13.2Pre-1066 - Warfare

1.13.3Pre-1066 - Culture

1.13.4Edward's Death

1.13.5Claims to the English Throne