Battle of Hastings

Question 1

What event occurred in January 1066 that impacted England’s leadership?

Answer 1

Edward the Confessor, the King of England, passed away, leaving no direct male heir.

Question 2

Who was chosen by the Witan to succeed King Edward as the new ruler of England?

Answer 2

Harold Godwinson was chosen by the Witan to be the new king of England after Edward’s death.

Question 3

What significant celestial event was observed in 1066, and how was it interpreted by William the Conqueror?

Answer 3

Halley’s comet was seen in 1066, interpreted by William the Conqueror as a heavenly sign predicting his forthcoming victory.

Question 4

What was Halley’s comet seen as by many people in 1066?

Answer 4

Halley’s comet was considered an omen of change by many, indicating significant upcoming events or shifts.

Question 5

How did William the Conqueror perceive Halley’s comet?

Answer 5

William the Conqueror viewed the appearance of Halley’s comet as a divine indication of his imminent triumph in battles to come.

Question 6

What familial connection did Harold Godwinson have with King Edward, and how did it benefit his claim to the throne?

Answer 6

Harold was the brother of King Edward’s wife, which strengthened his claim through family ties.

Question 7

Why did Harold Godwinson have support from the nobles?

Answer 7

Harold was the son of Earl Godwinson, which meant he had the support of powerful nobles due to his family’s standing.

Question 8

Who supported Harold’s claim to the throne, making it more legitimate?

Answer 8

Harold received the backing of the Witan, a council of Anglo-Saxon kings in England, which added legitimacy to his claim.

Question 9

What advantage did Harold possess due to his ethnicity?

Answer 9

Being Saxon, Harold had extensive knowledge of the country, its people, and its customs, which could be beneficial for governance.

Question 10

What were Harold Godwinson’s claims regarding King Edward’s dying words, and what was the uncertainty surrounding this claim?

Answer 10

Harold stated that King Edward entrusted his wife and kingdom to him, though uncertainty exists about whether these were King Edward’s actual last words.

Question 11

What potential drawbacks weakened Harold’s claim to the throne?

Answer 11

There were doubts about whether King Edward truly appointed Harold, and there were other claimants who some believed might have been better suited for the role.

Question 12

How was William of Normandy related to King Edward the Confessor, and how did this connection support his claim to the throne?

Answer 12

William was King Edward’s cousin, which gave him royal lineage and strengthened his claim to the English throne.

Question 13

What claim did William make regarding King Edward’s promise, and how did he use this claim to bolster his right to the throne?

Answer 13

William asserted that King Edward promised him the throne in 1051 as gratitude for his assistance, using this promise to legitimize his claim.

Question 14

What previous experience did William possess that made him a viable candidate for ruling England?

Answer 14

William had successfully ruled Normandy, demonstrating his ability to govern, which made him a potentially capable leader for England.

Question 15

What skill set did William possess that made him a valuable candidate for protecting England?

Answer 15

William was a skilled fighter, instilling trust in his ability to defend England if he were to become king.

Question 16

What obstacles did William face despite his claim and qualifications?

Answer 16

Harold Godwinson had already been crowned king by the Witan, posing a challenge to William’s claim. Additionally, ruling both England and Normandy might have been a monumental task.

Question 17

What was a potential concern regarding William taking on the role of ruling England and Normandy?

Answer 17

Some believed that managing the responsibilities of both England and Normandy might have been overwhelming, potentially affecting his ability to govern effectively.

Question 18

What experience did Harald Hardrada have that made him a potential candidate for the English throne?

Answer 18

Harald was the king of Norway, possessing experience in ruling, which made him a viable contender for the throne of England.

Question 19

How did Harald’s ancestral connection to King Cnut relate to his claim to the English throne?

Answer 19

Harald was an ancestor of King Cnut, who had previously ruled England, thereby reinforcing his claim to the throne based on family ties.

Question 20

What claim did Harald make regarding his family and ruling England, and how did he use this claim to bolster his right to the throne?

Answer 20

Harald claimed that his family had been promised the right to rule England, using this as a basis to strengthen his claim.

Question 21

What qualities did Harald Hardrada possess that made some believe he would be a capable leader for England?

Answer 21

Harald was a seasoned warrior, frequently engaged in successful wars, which suggested he could be an effective leader.

Question 22

Why were people apprehensive or fearful of Harald?

Answer 22

Harald was powerful, and his reputation as a victorious warrior instilled fear among people.

Question 23

What were some drawbacks or concerns regarding Harald’s potential rule in England?

Answer 23

Harald’s high taxation made him unpopular among some, weakening his support. Additionally, his claim was deemed weak due to the passage of time since King Cnut’s rule, and the Viking lifestyle might not have been welcomed by the English populace.

Question 24

Who was Edgar the Atheling related to, and why was this important for him to become king?

Answer 24

Edgar was related to King Edward, which made some people think he should be the king after Edward died.

Question 25

Why was Edgar special among the princes of England?

Answer 25

Edgar became the only prince left after his father died, making him a strong candidate to be the king.

Question 26

Why might King Edward have wanted Edgar to be the king?

Answer 26

King Edward brought Edgar’s father back from being away, suggesting he might have wanted Edgar to be the next king.

Question 27

What made Edgar’s family ties important in the question of who would be king?

Answer 27

Edgar had the closest family connection to King Edward among all those who wanted to be king.

Question 28

What might have made some people unsure about Edgar becoming king?

Answer 28

Edgar was young, and some people weren’t sure if he was strong enough or knew enough to rule well.

Question 29

Why were some people worried about Edgar ruling the kingdom?

Answer 29

Because Edgar was still a teenager, some thought he might not be strong or experienced enough to keep the kingdom together.

Question 30

Who fought in the Battle of Fulford in 1066, and what happened in that battle?

Answer 30

Earl Edwin and Earl Morcar fought against Harald Hardrada in the Battle of Fulford. Edwin and Morcar lost this battle.

Question 31

What was the result of the Battle of Fulford for Edwin and Morcar?

Answer 31

Edwin and Morcar lost the battle to Harald Hardrada.

Question 32

After winning at Fulford, what did Harald Hardrada do?

Answer 32

Hardrada captured the city of York and set up his army’s camp 15 miles south at Stamford Bridge.

Question 33

When did the Battle of Stamford Bridge take place, and who fought in it?

Answer 33

The battle occurred on September 25th, 1066, between Harald Hardrada and Harold Godwinson.

Question 34

How many soldiers were in each army in the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 34

Harold Godwinson had around 15,000 soldiers, while Harald Hardrada had approximately 9,000 soldiers.

Question 35

Who won the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 35

Harold Godwinson emerged as the victor in this battle.

Question 36

What happened to the Norwegians during the battle?

Answer 36

The Norwegians were taken by surprise, as most of their weapons and extra troops were on ships far away.

Question 37

What significant event occurred regarding Harald Hardrada during the battle?

Answer 37

Harald Hardrada was killed during the battle, and the Vikings left England with far fewer soldiers than they had before.

Question 38

Describe a famous story from the Battle of Stamford Bridge. What happened with the Norse axeman (berserker)?

Answer 38

A legendary Norse axeman, said to be a berserker, reportedly defeated many Englishmen until an English soldier floated under a bridge and shot an arrow upwards, killing the Norseman.

Question 39

What did Harold Godwinson’s victory at Stamford Bridge show about him as a leader?

Answer 39

This victory showcased Harold Godwinson as a decisive and capable leader for England.

Question 40

What other significant news arose after Godwinson’s victory?

Answer 40

Despite the victory, news arrived of William of Normandy’s landing in the south of England, presenting a new challenge for Harold Godwinson.

Question 41

When did the Battle of Hastings take place, and who were the main opponents?

Answer 41

The battle occurred on October 14th, 1066, between Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy.

Question 42

How many soldiers were in each army in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 42

Harold Godwinson led around 7,000 men, while William of Normandy commanded about 9,000 soldiers.

Question 43

Who emerged as the victor in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 43

William of Normandy won this battle.

Question 44

What challenge did Harold Godwinson face on his return to the south after the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 44

As Godwinson marched south, many of his working men in the army, called fyrds, had left for the harvest season.

Question 45

What kind of soldiers made up Harold Godwinson’s army in the Battle of Hastings, and what were their differences?

Answer 45

Godwinson’s army consisted mainly of fyrds (working men) and housecarls (professional soldiers). Housecarls were trained, while fyrds were farmers armed with basic weapons.

Question 46

Describe William of Normandy’s army during the Battle of Hastings. What soldiers did he have, and how were they trained?

Answer 46

William’s army consisted of archers, cavalry, crossbowmen, and foot soldiers, all trained and experienced. Many were professional mercenaries.

Question 47

Where did Harold Godwinson’s army position themselves during the Battle of Hastings, and what advantage did it offer?

Answer 47

Harold’s army took position on Senlac Ridge, utilizing streams and boggy ground that made it difficult for the Norman army, especially with Godwinson’s shield wall.

Question 48

How did William of Normandy win the Battle of Hastings, and what led to the victory?

Answer 48

William’s army used a feigned retreat tactic twice, breaking Harold’s shield wall and initiating the battle, ultimately resulting in William’s victory.

Question 49

What rumor exists about Harold Godwinson during the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 49

There is a rumor that Harold Godwinson was struck in the eye by an arrow during the battle.

Question 50

What historical artwork depicts the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 50

The Battle of Hastings is famously depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.