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The Battle of Hastings - CE Revision - Coggle Diagram
The Battle of Hastings - CE Revision
Causes
3 men wanted the throne
Edward the confessor died without heir
Harold Godwinson
Most important English noble
Support of English army
Very weak claim, claimed to have been promised on deathbed
William, Duke of Normandy
Support of norman army
Blood relative (cousin) of Edwards
Promised the throne in 1052 by Edward
Harald Hardrada
King of norway
Descendant of King Cnut
Defeated by Harold Godwinson at the battle of Stamford Bridge - 25ht September 1066
The battle
The norman archers began firing, but this had little effect. The infantry and finally the cavalry advanced, but none could break the shield wall. The Normans retreated.
A second attack is launched. A rumour is spread that William has been killed (it could have also been a tactic). As a result the norman troops run away
The English form a long shield wall at the top of the hill
The ill-disciplined English fyrd (mostly farmers) run after the Normans, breaking the shield wall
The English were weakened and tired, but the Normans were fresh and eager to fight
The Normans regroup (& William shows himself) and easily defeat the english not in the safety of the shield war
They met near Hastings at Caldbec Hill with about 8000 soldiers each
The tactic of pretence retreating and then regrouping is used a number of times by William
14th October 1066 between Harold Godwinson (English) and William, Duke of Normandy (Normans)
With a severely weekend shieldwall, William's troops began to slaughter the English
In the late afternoon, the Normans finally reached King Harold and he was hacked to death (not an arrow to the eye).
Why did William win?
William's skill and preparation
Determined and ambitions. Believed he deserved the English throne
Gained the support of his nobles by promising the land in England
Gained the Pope's support - "God is on our side"
He prepared thoroughly - Spring and Summer 1066
William's luck
Wind - Could not leave when he wanted, when he finally arrived, Harold Godwinson was up North fighting Harald Hardrada
Therefore, the south coast was undefended when he arrive. His men pillage which lead to high morale
Battle of Stamford Bridge - Harold's army were exhausted. Many had been killed or wounded
William's army
Well trained and structured (archers, infantry and cavalry
Higth moral - Pope's support, undefended English coast so many got to pilage
Strong and well disciplined
Fake retreats - The normans tricked the English into breaking the shieldwall. Decisive moment of the battle which led to the English being defeated
Harold's army and mistakes
Ignored his brother's advice to build up his army's strength before fighting William's army
By the time fighting started, Harold's army was severely weekend. Many had been killed or wounded and the rest were exhausted from the long marched. 180 miles in 4 days
The fyrd. Much of the army was made up of untrained farmer. They were brave but ill-disciplined. Broke the shield wall against orders
Consequences
After the battle
William crushed any opposition that rose up against him
William is crowned King on Christmas Day 1066
Harold Godwinson was killed and the English army fled
He later becomes known as William the Conqueror
How did William keep control?
The Domesday Book
Wanted to know: 1. how many soldiers he could recruit 2. How much tax he could charge 3. Who owned what land 4. Make sure no noble became too powerful
A survey of the whole country
He introduced the Feudal system
Menat everyone was answerable to the king
Ensure he had complete power over his people
King, Nobles, Knights, Peasants
He defeated rebellions
Brutally crushed the rebellion and laid waste to a huge area of land
This sent a clear message to anyone thinking of rebelling
'Harrying of the North'
He built castles
At first wooden Motte and Bailey castles - Easy to build
Later replaced by stone castles. e.g. Tower of London
Defensive structure, sign of his power, administrative centres