1.2.3 Why did William win?

Question 1

How did leadership play a role in the result of the battle? (3)

Answer 1

Some historians argue that William won because he was a better leader.
- It is hard to know whether Harold’s men were less well-trained because they were raised from local earls (instead of a central royal army), or because Harold was a bad leader & tactician.
- Losing the high ground and chasing the Norman soldiers down the hill contributed to Harold’s defeat. However, this may not have happened because Harold was a bad leader. His troops were tired and fighting Harald and William one after the other was outside Harold’s control
- William’s strategy seemed good and his combination of knights and archers worked well

Question 2

How did the shield wall have a role in the result of the battle?

Answer 2

The English shield wall was a good defence against the strengths of the Norman attack - horseback knights and archers

Question 3

What were the best English troops called?

Answer 3

Housecarls

Question 4

What were housecarls?

Answer 4

Professionally trained soldiers who often used axes to attack their opponents

Question 5

How did foot soldiers play a role in the result of the battle? (2)

Answer 5

Both Harold II and William of Normandy had foot soldiers
- A key moment in the battle was when the English soldiers (fyrds) chased the Normans down the hill as they retreated. This meant that the English troops lost the high ground
- The Norman foot soldiers were better trained than the English and they had better weapons (lots of English soldiers just fought with knives from their houses). So it seems that the English soldiers were ill-disciplined and worse-trained. This made breaking rank and chasing the Normans even sillier

Question 6

How did cavalry and knights play a role in the result of the battle?

Answer 6

William of Normandy used cavalry well in battle.
Lots of Norman Knights rode on horseback. They had lots of armour. They could not break down the shield wall of the English, but once the English chased the Norman foot soldiers, the Knights could ride around attacking lots of English soldiers in a row. This made leaving the shield wall even more dangerous. Horses also struggle to ride uphill, making keeping the high ground even more important.

Question 7

Key features of Harold’s army: (3)

Answer 7

• Harold’s fyrd (land army)
• Housecarls (well-trained soldiers)
• Javelin throwers

Question 8

What were Harold’s mistakes in the battle, which led to his defeat? (4)

Answer 8

• Harold marched straight to battle against William after fighting at St Stamford Bridge, without resting his men or gathering more troops
• Harold had disbanded his army because of the harvest
• Harold was aware of the feigned retreat tactic, but still fell for it
• Harold was on foot with his men. This showed them that he was willing to fight alongside them, but it also limited his ability to command his army

Question 9

What were William’s tactics in the battle, which led to his victory? (4)

Answer 9

• William’s men believed that God was on their side - they were fighting under the Papal Banner
• The Normans were well organised with clear communication around the battlefield and William could be seen by his men
• William had archers and cavalry
• William chose the battle site

Question 10

What were the factors of luck which helped William win? (3)

Answer 10

• The weather delayed William’s invasion
• Hardrada had invaded at the same time as William, forcing Harold to fight at two ends of the country
• William’s army had time to rest before the battle