A Basic Overview...
On the 14th of October 1066, a famous battle was fought for kingship of England. The Battle of Hastings.
Shortly after the death of, the childless, King Edward the confessor in January 1066, a succession struggle began between several claimants to the thrown. Harold was crowned King, because of Edward’s will and therefor was faced by invasions by William, Tostig (His on brother) & the Norwegian king Harold Hardrada (Harold III of Norway).
In the Battle of Fulford on September 20, 1066 Tostig & Harold (Hadrada) defeated a gathered batch of Englishmen. 5 days later Harold (King) defeated Tostig & Harold’s (Hadrada) forces in the Battle of Stamford Bridge. With Tostig and Harold (Hardrada) dead, William was Harolds only serious opponent.
When Harold was recovering William landed his invasion. At the south of England à Penvensy on the 28th of September 1066. They established a beachhead for William’s conquest. Harold was forced to march south while gathering forces.
(Exact amount unknown) In the Battle of Hastings Harold had around 10 000 troops while William had around 7 000. The Englishmen was composed of almost entirely of infantry & some archers. Williams was only half infantry, a quarter cavalry & a quarter archers. Harold tried to surprize William, but Williams scouts spotted him & reported him.
The Battle lasted from 9am-Dusk. Early efforts in the battle had little effect on the English, so the Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to run/flee & than turn on their pursuers. Later, when William decided that the archers were doing nothing to the enemy but embed the arrows in their shields. He told them to fire up in stead of straight. Harold copped an arrow in the eye, which then resulted in the end of the battleà Most of his trooped either died or retreated.
William wanted to be crowned king fast, so there for he was crowned on Christmas Dayà (December 25, 1066). Unfortunately, rebellions & resistance plagued Williams rule. Still, Hastings effectively marked the start of Williams rule… and the beginning of a new era.
Shortly after the death of, the childless, King Edward the confessor in January 1066, a succession struggle began between several claimants to the thrown. Harold was crowned King, because of Edward’s will and therefor was faced by invasions by William, Tostig (His on brother) & the Norwegian king Harold Hardrada (Harold III of Norway).
In the Battle of Fulford on September 20, 1066 Tostig & Harold (Hadrada) defeated a gathered batch of Englishmen. 5 days later Harold (King) defeated Tostig & Harold’s (Hadrada) forces in the Battle of Stamford Bridge. With Tostig and Harold (Hardrada) dead, William was Harolds only serious opponent.
When Harold was recovering William landed his invasion. At the south of England à Penvensy on the 28th of September 1066. They established a beachhead for William’s conquest. Harold was forced to march south while gathering forces.
(Exact amount unknown) In the Battle of Hastings Harold had around 10 000 troops while William had around 7 000. The Englishmen was composed of almost entirely of infantry & some archers. Williams was only half infantry, a quarter cavalry & a quarter archers. Harold tried to surprize William, but Williams scouts spotted him & reported him.
The Battle lasted from 9am-Dusk. Early efforts in the battle had little effect on the English, so the Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to run/flee & than turn on their pursuers. Later, when William decided that the archers were doing nothing to the enemy but embed the arrows in their shields. He told them to fire up in stead of straight. Harold copped an arrow in the eye, which then resulted in the end of the battleà Most of his trooped either died or retreated.
William wanted to be crowned king fast, so there for he was crowned on Christmas Dayà (December 25, 1066). Unfortunately, rebellions & resistance plagued Williams rule. Still, Hastings effectively marked the start of Williams rule… and the beginning of a new era.