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The Battle of Hastings-CE Revision - Coggle Diagram
The Battle of Hastings-CE Revision
Causes
Edward the confessor dies whithout an heir
3 men wanted the throne, which led to war
Harold Godwinson
Support of English army (only English claimant)
Very weak claim, death bed whisper...
Most important English noble
William, Duke of Normandy
Promised the throne in 1052 by Edward
Blood relative (cousin) of Edward
Leader of the Norman army
Harald Hardrada
Descendent of King Cnut, previous English King.
Defeated and killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge-25th September 1066
King of Norway (large army)
The Battle
14th October 1066 between Harold Godwinson (English) and William, Duke of Normandy (Normans)
They met near Hastings at Caldbec Hill with about 8000 soldiers each
The English were weeekened/tired, but the Normans were fresh and eager to fight
The English formed a long shield wall at the top of the hill
The Norman archers began firing, but this had little effect. Then the infantry and finally the cavalry advanced, but none could break the sheild 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 ill-disciplined English fyrd (mostly farmers) run after the Normans, breaking the sheild wall.
The Normans regroup (& William shows himself) and easily defeat the English not in the safety of the shield wall.
The tactic of retreating and regrouping is used a number of times by William
With a severly weakened shield wall, William began to slaughter the English.
In the late afternoon, The Normans final reached King Harold and he was hacked to death (not an arrow to the eye)
Why did William win?
William's Luck
Therefore, the south coast was undefended when he arrived, His men pillaged which led to high morale
Battle of Stanford Bridge- Harolds army were exhausted from marching. Also, many had been killed or wounded. His army was severly weakened
Wind- William could not leave when he wanted to. When the wind changed and he finally arrived, Harold Godwinson was up North fighting Hardrada
Willim's army
Well trained and structured (archers, infantry and cavalry)
High morale- Pope's support, undefended English coast (pillage)
Strong and well disciplined
Fake retreats- The Normans tricked the English into breaking the shield wall Descive moment of the battle which led to the English being defeated
William's skill and preperation
Gained the support of his nobles by promising them land in English
Gained the Pope's support- "God is on our side"
Determined and ambitious. Believed he deserved the English throne
He prepared thouroughly- Spring and Summer 1066
Harold's army and mistakes
By the time fighting started, Harold's army was severly weakened. Many had been killed and wounded and the rest were exhausted from the long marching. 180 miles in 4 days
Ignored his brothers' advice to build up his army's strength before fighting William's army. He rushed South
The fyrd. Much of the army was made up of untrained farmers. They were brave but ill-disciplined. Broke the shield wall against orders
Consequences
After the battle
William crushed oppision that rosed against him
William is crowned King on Christmas Day 1066
Harold Godwinsonwas killed and the English army fled
He later becomes known as William the conqueror
How did William keep control after the battle
Catles
Defensive structure, sign of his power, adminstrive centres
At first, wooden motte and bailey castles. Easy to build
Later replaced by stone castles e.g Tower of London
The feudal system
King, nobles, Knights peasants
Meant everyone was answerable to the king
Ensure he had complete power over his people
He defeated rebellions
'Harrying of the North'
Brutally crushed the rebellion and laid waste to a huge area of land
This sent a strong/clear message to anyone who was thinking of rebelling
The Domesday Book
A survey of the whole country
Wanted to know 1. how many soldiers he could recruit 2. How many tax he could charge 3. Who owned land where, 4. Make sure no nobles became too powerful