1.13.8

The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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