The Battle Of Hastings

Question 1

When did William land in England and where?

Answer 1

28th September, Pevensy Bay on the South coast of England

Question 2

Where was Harold when William arrived in the south of England?

Answer 2

In the north following the defeat of Harald Hardrada

Question 3

When did the Saxons leave York and when did they arrive in London?

Answer 3

2nd October ,6th October

Question 4

When did Harold leave London?

Answer 4

12th October

Question 5

Where did both armies rush to gain control of and why?

Answer 5

Caldbec hill, the hill had a good view of surroundings and was surrounded by marsh making it difficult to launch a surprise attack

Question 6

In what ways was Harold well equipped?

Answer 6

His troops were well armed and armoured highly experienced housecarls and also thegns. They carried javelins, bows, swords, axes but there were few archers

Question 7

Which three categories did each of the three divisions of Williams men have?

Answer 7

Archers, cavalry, infantry

Question 8

Who gained control of the hill and what did they do?

Answer 8

Harold and he organised his shield wall along the edge, protecting them from archers

Question 9

When did the battle begin and how long did it last?

Answer 9

14th October, 8 hours (long for a medieval battle)

Question 10

In what order did William send his men up the hill?

Answer 10

Firstly archers which did no damage to shields, then Norman foot soldiers who attacked shields with axes causing damage, then cavalry who failed to break the shield wall

Question 11

What happened when a rumour went round that William was dead?

Answer 11

He tipped his helmet back to show he was alive

Question 12

What happened when the death toll rose for Williams men?

Answer 12

One division fled and Saxon soldiers disengaged from the shield wall to chase them, Normans on horseback turned on the Saxons and slaughtered them

Question 13

Why did the Saxon wall break up and what did this cause?

Answer 13

More and more men were tempted to go down the hill but were killed, the shield wall was less effective against cavalry attacks and Gyrth and Leofwine were killed

Question 14

What does the Bayeux Tapestry illustrate?

Answer 14

Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye (this is not verified by any factual evidence)

Question 15

Name 4 of Harold’s failures which caused his defeat MAIN REASON

Answer 15

He moved his army south rather than staying in London with fortified walls, his men disengaged from the shield wall which rendered them vulnerable to cavalry attacks, he brought his brothers so if they were all killed there would be no one to control England, he had a shortage of housecarls and archers

Question 16

Name 6 of Williams successes which led to Harold’s defeat

Answer 16

Gathered his coast along the south of France so Harold couldn’t tell when he was going to invade, carried out cavalry attacks, horses made them more mobile, William tipped back his helmet to show he was alive (motivating his troops), William had scouts to inform him of the movement of Harold’s army, soldiers were equipped with axes which did great damage to the shield wall

Question 17

Name 4 reasons Stamford Bridge caused Harold’s defeat

Answer 17

Harold went into battle although his best soldiers had died or were tired, less than a month between the two battles, long journey from Stamford Bridge to Caldbec Hill which tired out soldiers more, Harold left the South unprotected

Question 18

Name 3 reasons the lack of support from Morcar and Edwin caused Harold’s defeat

Answer 18

Important Earls of Northumbria and Mercia, refused to supply troops, rival noble families who did not support the Godwin’s