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the battle of Hastings '1066' CE revision - Coggle Diagram
the battle of Hastings '1066' CE revision
causes
three men wanted the throne, which led to war.
Harold Godwinson
most important english noble
support of english army
very weak claim, death bed whisper...
edward the confessor dies without an heir
william duke of normandy.
norman army
promised the throne in 1052 by edward
blood relatives (cousin of edward)
harald hadrada
king of norway (large army)
descendant of king cnut, previous English king.
defeated by harold godwinson at battle of stanford bridge 25th september 1066
the battle
they met at a place near Hastings at Calbec hill with about 8000 soldiers each the english were weakened/tired but the normans were fresh and eager to fight
the English (HG) form at long shield wall at the top of the hill.
14th october 1066 between harold godwinson and william duke of normandy.
the Norman archers began firing, but this had little affect. Then the infantry and finally the cavalry advanced, but none could break the shield wall the Normans retreated.
a second attack is launched. a rumour (or tactic?) is spread that william has been killed. As a result the norman troops run away
the Normans regroup ( & William shows himself) and easily defeat the English not in the safety of the shield wall
the tactic of pretend retreat and then regrouping is used a number of times by william
with a severely weakened shield wall, 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?
williams luck
Wind- could not leave when he wanted when he finally arrived Harold Godwinson was up north fighting Hadrada
Therefore the south coast was undefended when he arrived. His men pillaged which led to high morale.
Battle of Stamford Bridge- Harold's army were exhausted from marching. also, many have been killed or wounded. his army was severely weakened
Williams army
strong and well disciplined
well trained and structured (archer,infantry and Calvary)
high morale-popes support, undefended English coast (pillage)
fake retreats-The Normans tricked the English into breaking the shield wall. Decisive moment of the battle which led to the english being defeated.
Williams skill and preparation
gained the support of his nobles by promising them land in England
determined and ambitious. believed he deserved the English throne
gained the popes support - 'god is on our side'.
he prepared thoroughly- spring and summer 1066
Harlod's army and mistakes
the fyrd. Much of the army was made up of untrained farmers. They were brave but ill disciplined. Broke the shield-wall against orders.
Ignored his brothers advice to build up his strength before fighting William's army.
by the time fighting started, Harold's army was severely weakened. Many had been killed or wounded and the rest were exhausted from the long marching. 180 miles in 4 days.
consequences
after the battle.
William crushes 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 became known as William the conqueror
how did william keep control after the battle?
he introduced the feudal system
king,nobles,knights,peasants
meant everyone was answerable to the king
ensured he had complete power over his people
he defeated the rebellions
brutally crushed the rebellion and laid waste to a huge area of land
'harrying of the north'
This sent a clear message to anyone thinking of rebelling
he built castles
later replaced by stone castles e.g tower of london
defensive structure, sign on his power, administrative centres.
at first, wooden motte and bailey castles. easy to build
the Domesday book
Wanted to know:1 how many soldiers he could rectruit 2 how much tax he could charge. 3 who owned land where 4 make sure no nobles become too powerful
A survey of the whole country