Start

How it all Began

It all began with the death of Edward the
confessor, on 5 January 1066.
Edward had made quite a few promises to
different people about becoming king after
he died. Though he didn’t know that was
going to create one of the biggest battles in
English history.

The contenders to the throne were;

Harold Godwinson, Harald Hadrada and
William of Normandy.
 How it all Began

In the meantime whilst England did not have a king. Harold

was put in to fill the gap between the time the new king
was made. In fact he lasted from 5 January — 14 October
1066.
 Harold Godwinson
Claim to the Throne
 Harald Hadrada
Claim to the Throne
 William of Normandy
Claim to the Throne
 The Saxon Army
Harold had two types of soldiers in his army:
1. Housecarls

During the Battle of Hastings, one

Housecarl managed to cut his way
through the neck of a horse to kill its
rider with just soldiers
These were full time professional one blow!who
were well trained & paid. They were the most
feared warriors in the world. NEXT
 The Saxon Army
Harold had two types of soldiers in his army:

2. Fyrd

These were part time, unpaid soldiers who were

called up when the country was in danger.
 The Norman Army

These are
highly trained,
full time
professional
soldiers!

Spearmen Horsemen / Archers

Calvary
 The Battlefield
Harold Army Harold’s
William’s
forms a shield Housecarls
Archers
Wall

Fyrd:
William’s
Part Time&
Spearmen
Unsuitable for
Soldiers
Foot soldiers
horsemen

William’s
Horsemen
 The Start of the Battle

‘The blowing of trumpets

announced the start of the
battle on both sides.
Eager and brave Normans
were the first to attack.
The English threw javelins
and missiles of all sorts,
dealing out savage blows
with their axes.’

William of Poitiers
 The Start of the Battle

Bayeux Tapestry, The Normans attack the Saxon Shield Wall

 Early Stages of the Battle

‘The English were helped

by the advantage of their
high position which,
massed tightly together
they held without Aha, I’m
attempting to advance.
going to try
The weapons which they
fought with easily cutme some
through shields andFrench
other frogs
protective armour.’ legs!

William of Poitiers
The Normans start running away

‘The Normans imaged their Duke

was dead, but he rushed after them
and showed his bared head. “Look at
me!” he shouted, “I’m still alive.”
 A Cunning Plan!

When the Normans

retreated a thousand
Saxon Warriors left
the protection of the
What was William’s
Shield Wall to chase
Cunning Plan?
after the Normans.
Hey Lads, They were easily
I have a Killed by the Norman
plan! Horsemen!

Duke William
Second Stage: Cunning Plan!

Oh – Oh!

They then turn around and splatter the

Normans pretend to run away
Saxons who are chasing after them!
Second Stage: Cunning Plan!
‘They withdrew, pretending to
turn in flight. Some thousand
or more of the English rushed
forward; suddenly the
Normans turned their horses,
cut off the force which was
pursuing (chasing) them,
encircled them and
massacred (killed) them to
the last man. Twice the
Normans used this trick with
equal success.’
William of Poitiers
Third Stage: The Archers

The Shield Wall was

weakened but still strong, so
William orders his Archers to
aim high to distract the
Saxons whilst he led another
charge.
Fourth Stage:The Shield Wall
Collapses

Harold’s
brothers are
killed.
 Final Stage: Death of Harold
William of
Guy of Amein, 1067
Mamesbury, 1125

“Then it was with an

“Receiving the fatal arrow
arrow which was shot
from a distance, he died.
towards the sky,
One of the Norman
struck Harold above
William
soldiers withsends
a swordin
the right eye.”
thena hit squad of Normans
cut off his leg asto
hekill
lay.”King Harold
 Aftermath

Once King Harold and his brothers are dead the

rest of the Saxon army runaway, apart from the
housecarls who made a circle round Harold's body
until the were all dead.
The Battlefield Today

King Harold was

killed here
 The Result

Finally on the 25th December

1066 William of Normandy
was crowned king of
England.
But that wasn’t the end of
William’s Battles.

Though the people weren’t

that happy.