Battle Of Hastings Flashcards
When did it take place?
Saturday 14th October 1066
When did Harold reach Senlac hill?
13th October 1066
When did William reach Harold?
14th October 1066
How far did they travel?
8km
When did the battle begin?
Around 9 am
What did William first order?
His archers to fire at Harold’s men
What did he next order?
He sent his foot soldiers up the hill
What did William next do?
He sent his knights but they also couldn’t break the wall
What was Williams tactic?
William had to get the English off the top of the hill. He ordered some of his soldiers to run away down the hill as if they were retreating. The English, thinking they were winning, charged down the hill after the Normans.
What then happened?
Without the safety of the shield wall, Harold’s men who had run down the hill were quickly cut to pieces by William’s knights on horseback. William saw this was his chance to win the battle – and the crown. He hoped that if he kept repeating the trick, the English would keep falling for it. And they did! The English shield wall grew weaker and weaker. William then turned to his archers once more and arrows rained down on Harold’s men.
What happened at the end?
As the sun set, Harold was killed and the battle was lost. Some said he had been shot in the eye by an arrow before being cut to pieces by some of William’s men. William had the body buried at a secret location despite Harold’s mother offering her son’s weight in gold in exchange for the body.
