The Battle Of Hastings was a famous battle fought between William Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror) and Harold Godwinson (King Harold) in 1066. The battle was fought over the English crown.
It all started when Edward the Confessor died. There were four contenders for the throne: Harald Hardrada, Edgar Atheling, Harold Godwinson and William Duke of Normandy. The crowning of a new king was put to a vote by a witanegemot (parliament). Edgar Atheling was a blood relative of Edward the Confessor and was a popular choice, but he was roughly 14 and wasn't old enough to have a proper rule over England. Harald Hardrada and William Duke of Normandy were strong leaders with good experience, but were considered too foreign to rule England. William knew that if Harold to be crowned King, it would be him instead, because Harold had swore this to William. But when Harold was crowned, William was furious and was prepared to take what was rightfully his.
Harold knew that William would attack England, so he deployed his forces to wait in the south for William's arrival. Months passed, but there was no sign of William, and Harold's army was getting restless. Soon after they received word that the Vikings from Scandinavia (info about Vikings available on 'Vikings' post) were attacking the north of England. Harold's army travelled the whole length of England where they caught the Vikings by surprise, and easily killed them.
After a huge journey to the north, Harold received word that William had assembled an army and had began attacking at the south and destroying everything in his path. Harold's army then had to race down to the south, exhausting themselves further, eventually arriving at Battle, which had a short distance between itself and Hastings. The battle was fought on Senlac Hill on the 14th of October. Harold and his army (Saxons) were at the top of the hill, while William's army (Normans) were at the bottom. At first, the Saxons formed their famous shield wall, interlocking shields for better protection. The Norman archers fired at the Saxons, but their arrows either bounced of the shields or flew over the top of them. William ordered his infantry and cavalry to attack the wall, but both couldn't break through. At one point, a part of the infantry fled down the hill and the Saxon's followed breaking their wall, but were swiftly killed. William decided to use this to his advantage, and he ordered fake retreats to lure the Saxons down the hill to their deaths. The Saxon army started shrinking, and it was another great tactic that won William the battle. He told his archers to their arrows higher, and they did. The arrows rained down on the Saxon's killing many, as well as King Harold who took an arrow to the eye. The Normans had won. Afterwards, they hacked Harold's body to pieces so the English would have no remains of their king.
The Battle of Hastings was won by William because of his great tactics, and other events before the battle which exhausted the Saxons.
It all started when Edward the Confessor died. There were four contenders for the throne: Harald Hardrada, Edgar Atheling, Harold Godwinson and William Duke of Normandy. The crowning of a new king was put to a vote by a witanegemot (parliament). Edgar Atheling was a blood relative of Edward the Confessor and was a popular choice, but he was roughly 14 and wasn't old enough to have a proper rule over England. Harald Hardrada and William Duke of Normandy were strong leaders with good experience, but were considered too foreign to rule England. William knew that if Harold to be crowned King, it would be him instead, because Harold had swore this to William. But when Harold was crowned, William was furious and was prepared to take what was rightfully his.
Harold knew that William would attack England, so he deployed his forces to wait in the south for William's arrival. Months passed, but there was no sign of William, and Harold's army was getting restless. Soon after they received word that the Vikings from Scandinavia (info about Vikings available on 'Vikings' post) were attacking the north of England. Harold's army travelled the whole length of England where they caught the Vikings by surprise, and easily killed them.
After a huge journey to the north, Harold received word that William had assembled an army and had began attacking at the south and destroying everything in his path. Harold's army then had to race down to the south, exhausting themselves further, eventually arriving at Battle, which had a short distance between itself and Hastings. The battle was fought on Senlac Hill on the 14th of October. Harold and his army (Saxons) were at the top of the hill, while William's army (Normans) were at the bottom. At first, the Saxons formed their famous shield wall, interlocking shields for better protection. The Norman archers fired at the Saxons, but their arrows either bounced of the shields or flew over the top of them. William ordered his infantry and cavalry to attack the wall, but both couldn't break through. At one point, a part of the infantry fled down the hill and the Saxon's followed breaking their wall, but were swiftly killed. William decided to use this to his advantage, and he ordered fake retreats to lure the Saxons down the hill to their deaths. The Saxon army started shrinking, and it was another great tactic that won William the battle. He told his archers to their arrows higher, and they did. The arrows rained down on the Saxon's killing many, as well as King Harold who took an arrow to the eye. The Normans had won. Afterwards, they hacked Harold's body to pieces so the English would have no remains of their king.
The Battle of Hastings was won by William because of his great tactics, and other events before the battle which exhausted the Saxons.