Normans - The Battle of Hastings

Question 1

What were William’s preparations for the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 1

• Received the Papal Banner as the Pope supported him and this showed that God was on his side
• ordered for 100s of ships to be built
• built pre-fabricated castle

Question 2

By August 1066, what did William’s army look like?

Answer 2

He had 7,000 soldiers, 700 ships and 3,000 horses

Question 3

What were Harold’s preparations for the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 3

• was expecting an invasion so straightaway ordered ships and seamen from around the country
• assembled the largest naval force ever in the country

Question 4

When did William arrive in England?

Answer 4

He arrived 3 days after the Battle of Stamford Bridge; the bad weather had delayed him and landed at Pevensey while Harold’s army was still in the North and built a castle there and in Hastings

Question 5

What was Harold’s response to William’s arrival?

Answer 5

He planned to surprise them but also wanted to stop their terrorizing so on the 11th October, he marched his troops 200 miles South in about 4-5 days

Question 6

What was wrong about Harold’s response to William’s arrival?

Answer 6

• he marched his troops down too early and too fast; tiring them out especially straight after a battle
• ignored his brother and mother’s advice of slowing down

Question 7

What was Harold’s army like?

Answer 7

Made up of housecarls ( professional soldiers), thegns (knights called up) and ordinary men known as the fyrd

Question 8

How did William assemble his army?

Answer 8

• didn’t have one so he had to call on his lords and knights
• asked his vassals to give him ships

Question 9

What was the formation of the English in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 9

• Harold’s men formed upon Senlac ridge and were protected by woodlands and the ground was damp and difficult
• The Saxons formed a shield wall on foot
• However the 2nd line (fyrd) only had simple weapons and no archers

Question 10

What was the formation of the Normans in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 10

• The Normans had a heavily armed calvary
• The 1st line included many archers
• The foot soldiers were wearing hauberks made of chain mail

Question 11

Describe the first part of the battle

Answer 11

• Normans attacked the shield wall but it stayed firm

- The hill made it difficult for the cavalry to charge at great speed so the English were at an advantage

Question 12

Describe the turning point of the battle

Answer 12

• A rumour went around that William was dead so the
  Normans panicked and began to flee
• The English broke their positions to go after them
• William found out about the rumour and took off his
  helmet to show he was alive and normans retuned and
  fought the English
• Harold was killed and the English realised they lost