The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was a decisive Norman victory that marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era in England and the beginning of Norman rule. The battle was fought between the Normans, led by Duke William of Normandy, and the English, led by King Harold II.
The Norman army was larger and better equipped than the English army, with a strong cavalry force and a formidable array of archers. The Normans also had the advantage of surprise, as they had landed on the south coast of England just a few days before the battle.
The English, on the other hand, had just fought a grueling battle against the Vikings at Stamford Bridge and were exhausted and under-equipped. They also had fewer soldiers, as many of their best warriors had been killed at Stamford Bridge.
The battle began early in the morning and lasted all day. It was fought on a hill above the town of Hastings, with the English arrayed on one side and the Normans on the other. The English fought bravely, but they were no match for the Normans' superior tactics and weapons.
As the day wore on, the English line began to falter. King Harold was killed and his army began to retreat. The Normans pursued them and slaughtered many of the fleeing English soldiers.
In the end, the Battle of Hastings was a resounding victory for the Normans. Duke William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066, and the Norman conquest of England had begun.
The Battle of Hastings was significant for a number of reasons. It marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era in England and the beginning of Norman rule, which would have a profound impact on the language, culture, and political structure of the country. It also marked the beginning of a period of great upheaval and change in England, as the Normans brought with them new ideas, technologies, and ways of doing things.
Overall, the Battle of Hastings was won by the Normans due to their superior tactics, weapons, and the element of surprise. The English, exhausted from their previous battle against the Vikings and outmatched by the Normans, were unable to hold their ground and were ultimately defeated.
Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
At least twice, the Normans also apparently pretended to flee to encourage the English to break ranks from the defence line. William the Conquerors own chaplain, William of Poitiers, claims that his master brought 60000 men with him to England; and two other chroniclers assert that the dukes army was made up of 150,000 men. King Harold II of England is defeated by the Norman forces of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings, fought on Senlac Hill, seven miles from Hastings, England. When the rebels refused to do battle, William the Conqueror launched a scorched earth policy, which caused a famine. The odds seemed overwhelming in favor of the Brits, but Brigadier General Daniel Morgan had different ideas on the outcome of this battle.
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings was the result of William's naked ambitions. In reality, the surviving accounts of the Battle of Hastings are all suspect. Remember, it is Harold who swore allegiance to me after I freed him from Count Guy of Ponthieu. Essay Example In his quest to wrestle the throne of England from Harold, William had gathered an army of some 7,000 — 8,000 men, including calavary, Bretons, archers and men at arms. Now there is one less opponent to fight for my crown. He brought many new systems and regimes, which was better for the people.
The Reasons Why William Won the Battle of Hastings
London, The History Press, 2010. A section of the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the Norman Conquest of England and the battle of Hastings in 1066. However, it was a time of unease for Harold that year, as it was apparent that England was going to be invaded by either a Norman or a Scandinavian Force, and so Harold was nervous throughout the entirety of his nine month rain. If he shown just how powerful he was, then the Welsh princes would see that it was in their best interests to submit. The service was concluded amidst clouds of smoke, the new King shaking like a leaf. The English army does not appear to have had a significant number of archers. They would stand side-by-side, and their interlocking shields would form a solid wall.