The Battle of Hastings: 1066

The Battle of Hastings

-Why did Harold fail?

- William arrived in Hastings before Harold 

- On his journey back down from the battle of Stamford Bridge, he stopped at London for a few days to let his tired army rest 

- The battle lasted for 8 hours (Very long for a medieval battle)

- William sent his archers forward, but the English were protected by their shields

- The foot soldiers then went up the hill and did little damage to the shield wall 

- Norman Cavalry laboured up the hill but could not break the shield wall

- Despite the end result the battle started in Harold's favour 

- As rumour spread that William had been killed, morale dropped low

- He had not been killed, so tipped back his helment and revealed he had been fighting along side his soldiers all the time 

- He showed his potential as a warrior king ( a good solider ) 

- He reassembled his troops to show that he was still alive 

- As the shield wall is only a defensive weapon, it got to a point where it had to break or the English had to attack

- The Norman's did a fake retreat and the tired, badly disciplined soldiers chased after them, and do the shield wall broke 

- The Normans gradually reduced the number of Saxon forces until there was no shield wall left 

- Norman cavalry charges and mounted knight attacks became more effective 

- Harold, his brothers and the remaining fyrd held their position at the top of the hill

- Now they were heavily outnumbered and unable to hold off the cavary charges 

- Harold and his brothers were killed 

- The remaining housecarls were so loyal to Harold that they remained fighting until they were all dead or severly injured 

William was victorious