1.13.9

The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings - Tactics

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Military Tactics in the Battle of Hastings

Tactics played a very important role in the outcome of the Battle of Hastings.

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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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