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The battle of Hastings C.E Revision - Coggle Diagram
The battle of Hastings
C.E Revision
Causes
3 wanted the throne, which led to a war
Harold Godwinson
Support of English army (only English claimant)
Very weak claim. Deathbed whisper.
Most important English noble
Edward the Confessor dies without an heir
William, Duke of Normady
Leader of the Norman army
Promised the throne in 1052 by Edward
Blood relative (cousin) of Edward
Harald Hardrada
Kind of Norway army
Descent of King Cnut, previous English king
Defeated and killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge-25th September 1066
The Battle
14th October 1066 between Harold Godwinson (English) and William, Duke of Normady (Normans)
They met near Hastings at Caldbec Hill with about 800 soldiers each
The English form 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 shield wall
The English were weakened, but the Normans were fresh and eager to fight
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 shieldwall
The Normans regroup(& William shows himself) and easily defeat the English not in the safety of the shield wall
The tactic of pretend retreating and then regrouping is used a number of times by William
With a severely weak and shieldwall. 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
Wind-William could not leave when he wanted to. When the wind changed and finally arrived, Harold Godwinson was up North fighting Hardrada
Therefore no one was defending the south coast when he arrived. His men pillaged which led to high morale
Battle of Stamford bridge-Harold's army were exhausted from marching. Many had been killed. His army was severely weakened
William's army
Strong and well disciplined
Well trained and structure
Fake retreats-The Normans tricked the English into breaking the shield wall. Decisive moment of the battle which led to the English being defeated
High morale Pope's support, undefended English coast
William's skill and preparation
Gained the support of his nobles by promising them land in England
Gained the Pope's support-"God is in your side"
Determined and ambitious. Believed he deserved the English throne.
He prepared thoroughly-Spring and Summer 1066
Harold'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 brother's advice to build up his army strength before fighting William's army. He rushed South
By the time fighting started, Harold's army was severely weakened. Many had been killed and wounded and the rest were exhausted from the long marching. 180 miles in 4 days
Consequences
After the battle
William crashed any opposition that rose up against him
Hw was cronwed King on Christmas 1066
Harold Godwinson was killed and the English army fled
He later becomes known as William the Conqueror
He built castles
Defensive structure, sign of his power, administratives centers
At first wooden motte and bailey castles. Easy to build
Later replaced by stone castles: Tower of London
The feudal system
Meant everyone was answerable to the king
Ensure he had complete power over his power
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"
The Domesday Book
A survey of the whole country
Wanted to know 1,how many soldiers he could recruit 2,How much tax he could charge 3,Who owned land where 4,make sure nobles became too powerful
For the exam
battle of hastings
Henry VIII