The Battle Of Hastings 1066 Flashcards
How did Harold set up his troops (geographically) ? What advantage did this give Harold what could this show
Strong defensive position on top of a ridge
Thick undergrowth and woods to the left and right meant William couldn’t outflank him
Could show good leadership qualities
How big is Harold’s army estimated to be ? How big was Williams army estimated to be ?
Harold: 6,000
William: 7,500
How did Harold set up his troops ( actual positioning of different units) thinks front line who and what did they do
And behind them
Front line- well armed and armored housecarls, full time soldiers*highly experienced- had axes and swords- formed a strong shield wall
Behind them Thegns and Fyrds (mix of Ceorls and peasants)
Relitivly few archers
What where Harold’s men armed with ?
Javelins, swords, bows and axes
How where Williams men arranged( actual units)? What where the compositions within these units
Three division
- Bretons on the left
- Normans middle
- right side soldiers from France, Picardy and Flanders
Each with archers, cavalry and infantry
What actions did William take before the battle ?
It is said that he gave a speech before the fight broke out
Reminding them of their absolutes and talents as warriors
How they had gods support and told them of the danger of loosing the battle
When was the battle of Hastings ?
14 October 1066
First stage of the battle: Norman advance, think the two different advances and why Harold has an advantage- extra: what did William fear
-Firing up hill made it hard for Normans to attack
- Norman infantry met with hail of spears, stones and axes
- William sends his cavalry up and in but they are slowed by the hill and muddy ground
- Harold has an advantage: he’s defending William was having to work hard as he feared Harold may receive reinforcements
Second stage of battle: Bretons start retreating/ braking up- key point here as they sort of don’t (not the feigned retreat/ flight that comes later)
- as the death toll rises on the Norman side the Bretons of the left began to panic
- Some fled and where chased by Saxon warriors
- Harold couldn’t stop his men from chasing them as he was on foot
- the Bretons on horse back then turn on them and slaughter the Saxon warriors chasing them
Third stage of the battle: Normans fear the worst
Norman troops on the centre and left pull back fearing William has been killed
The Norman’s seem to be on the brink of defeat
William allegedly lifted his helmet and rode around showing he was still alive and shouted at his troops
Fourth stage of the battle: pause in fighting- when, why and what
Around 2-3 pm there is a brake in fighting
Standard in medical warfare and allows both sides to take on food+ water
Harold still has high ground and if he held out until night fall it could pose a great risk to the Norman who could then be surprise attacked
Fifth stage of the battle: feigned flight!!!, what it does and who died
The fight resumes
- here William may of order his troops to pretend to retreat hoping to break the shield wall by doing so
- it works and weakens the Saxon warriors and the shield wall isn’t fully broken but certainly weaker
- Harold’s brothers Gryth and Leofwine die but William still hadn’t taken the hill
Sixth stage of the battle: the last push by William.
Late afternoon 4pm and William rallies his troops for a final push
-His archers fired devastating vollies and the infantry and cavalry charge
- some Norman’s where ordered to focus on Harold’s position, he gets killed by either an arrow or sword as accounts vary
Last stage of the battle:
With Harold dead many saxons flee
- Saxon line is shorter and Norman’s force there way up
- as night fell the saxons slowly where killed and the battle is won by the Normans
Key vocabulary which could help answer questions about the battle of Hastings ?
Inevitable
Likely
Crucial
Turing point
