Battle of Hastings 1066 Battle of Hastings 1066 References In 1065 Edward the Confessor became very ill. Harold of Wessex claimed that Edward promised him the throne just before he died on 5th January, 1066. The next day there was a meeting of the Witan to decide who would become the next king of England. The Witan was made up of a group of about sixty lords and bishops and they considered the merits of four main candidates: Harold, William of Normandy , Edgar Etheling and Harald Hardrada . On 6th January 1066, the Witan decided that Harold was to be the next king of England. (1) King Harold was fully aware that both King Hardrada of Norway and William of Normandy might try to take the throne from him. Harold believed that the Normans posed the main danger and he positioned his troops on the south coast of England. His soldiers were made up of housecarls and the fyrd . Housecarls were well-trained, full-time soldiers who were paid for their services. The fyrd were working men who were called up to fight for the king in times of danger.

Harold waited all summer but the Normans did not arrive. Never before had any of Harold's fyrd been away from their homes for so long. But the men's supplies had run out and they could not be kept away from their homes any longer. Members of the fyrd were also keen to harvest their own fields and so in September Harold sent them home. Harold also sent his navy back to London. (2) William of Normandy William's attack on England had been delayed. To make sure he had enough soldiers to defeat Harold, he asked the men of Poitou, Burgundy, Brittany and Flanders to help. William also arranged for soldiers from Germany, Denmark and Italy to join his army. In exchange for their services, William promised them a share of the land and wealth of England. William also had talks with Pope Alexander II in his campaign to gain the throne of England. These negotiations took all summer. William also had to arrange the building of the ships to take his large army to England. About 700 ships were ready to sail in August but William had to wait a further month for a change in the direction of the wind.

(3) In early September Harold heard that King Hardrada of Norway had invaded northern England. The messenger told Harold that Hardrada had come to conquer all of England. It is said that Harold replied: "I will give him just six feet of English soil; or, since they say he is a tall man, I will give him seven feet." With Hardrada was Harold's brother, Tostig, and 300 ships. Harold and what was left of his army headed north. Hardrada and his men entered the Humber and on 20th September defeated Morcar's army at Gate Fulford. Four days later the invaders took York . On the way Harold heard that the earls of Mercia and Northumbria had been defeated and were considering changing sides. Britain in 1066 The English army marched 190 miles from London to York in just four days. On 24th September Harold's army arrived at Tadcaster. The following day he took Tostig and Hardrada by surprise at a place called Stamford Bridge . It was a hot day and the Norwegians had taken off their byrnies (leather jerkins with sewn-on metal rings).

Harold and his English troops devastated the Norwegians. Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed. The Norwegian losses were considerable. Of the 300 ships that arrived, less than 25 returned to Norway. (4) While celebrating his victory at a banquet in York, Harold heard that William of Normandy had landed at Pevensey Bay on 28th September. Harold's brother, Gyrth , offered to lead the army against William, pointing out that as king he should not risk the chance of being killed. "I have taken no oath and owe nothing to Count William". (5) David Armine Howarth , the author of 1066: the Year of the Conquest (1981) argues that the suggestion was that while Gyrth did battle with William, "Harold should empty the whole of the countryside behind him, block the roads, burn the villages and destroy the food.

So, even if Gyrth was beaten, William's army would starve in the wasted countryside as winter closed in and would be forced either to move upon London, where the rest of the English forces would be waiting, or return to their ships." (6) Harold rejected the advice and immediately assembled the housecarls who had survived the fighting against Hardrada and marched south. Harold travelled at such a pace that many of his troops failed to keep up with him. When Harold arrived in London he waited for the local fyrd to assemble and for the troops of the earls of Mercia and Northumbria to arrive from the north. After five days they had not arrived and so Harold decided to head for the south coast without his northern troops. (7) Battle of Hastings Harold of Wessex realised he was unable to take William by surprise. He therefore decided to position himself at Senlac Hill near Hastings. Harold selected a spot that was protected on each flank by marshy land. At his rear was a forest. The English housecarls provided a shield wall at the front of Harold's army. They carried large battle-axes and were considered to be the toughest fighters in Europe. The fyrd were placed behind the housecarls.

The leaders of the fyrd, the thanes, had swords and javelins but the rest of the men were inexperienced fighters and carried weapons such as iron-studded clubs, scythes, reaping hooks and hay forks. William of Malmesbury reported: "The courageous leaders mutually prepared for battle, each according to his national custom. The English, as we have heard, passed the night without sleep in drinking and singing, and, in the morning, proceeded without delay towards the enemy; all were on foot, armed with battle-axes... The king himself on foot stood with his brother, near the standard, in order that, while all shared equal danger none might think of retreating... On the other side, the Normans passed the whole night in confessing their sins, and received the Sacrament in the morning. The infantry with bows and arrows, formed the vanguard, while the cavalry, divided into wings, were held back." (8) Battle of Hastings There are no accurate figures of the number of soldiers who took part at the Battle of Hastings.

Historians have estimated that William had about 5,000 infantry and 3,000 knights while Harold had about 2,000 housecarls and 5,000 members of the fyrd. (9) The Norman historian, William of Poitiers , claims that Harold held the advantage: "The English were greatly helped by the advantage of the high ground... also by their great number, and further, by their weapons which could easily find a way through shields and other defences." (10) At 9.00 a.m. the Battle of Hastings formally opened with the playing of trumpets. Norman archers then walked up the hill and when they were about a 100 yards away from Harold's army they fired their first batch of arrows. Using their shields, the house-carls were able to block most of this attack. Volley followed volley but the shield wall remained unbroken. At around 10.30 hours, William ordered his archers to retreat. Norman Knights at the Battle of Hastings, Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1090) The Norman army led by William now marched forward in three main groups.

On the left were the Breton auxiliaries. On the right were a more miscellaneous body that included men from Poitou, Burgundy, Brittany and Flanders. In the centre was the main Norman contingent "with Duke William himself, relics round his neck, and the papal banner above his head". (11) The English held firm and eventually the Normans were forced to retreat. Members of the fyrd on the right broke ranks and chased after them. A rumour went round that William was amongst the Norman casualties. Afraid of what this story would do to Norman morale, William pushed back his helmet and rode amongst his troops, shouting that he was still alive. He then ordered his cavalry to attack the English who had left their positions on Senlac Hill. English losses were heavy and very few managed to return to the line. (12) At about 12.00 p.m. there was a break in the fighting for an hour. This gave both sides a chance to remove the dead and wounded from the battlefield. William, who had originally planned to use his cavalry when the English retreated, decided to change his tactics. At about one in the afternoon he ordered his archers forward.

This time he told them to fire higher in the air. The change of direction of the arrows caught the English by surprise. The arrow attack was immediately followed by a cavalry charge. Casualties on both sides were heavy. Those killed included Harold's two brothers, Gyrth and Leofwin. However, the English line held and the Normans were eventually forced to retreat. The fyrd, this time on the left side, chased the Normans down the hill. William ordered his knights to turn and attack the men who had left the line. Once again the English suffered heavy casualties. William of Normandy ordered his troops to take another rest. The Normans had lost a quarter of their cavalry. Many horses had been killed and the ones left alive were exhausted. William decided that the knights should dismount and attack on foot. This time all the Normans went into battle together. The archers fired their arrows and at the same time the knights and infantry charged up the hill. Death of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1090) It was now 4.00 p.m. Heavy English casualties from previous attacks meant that the front line was shorter.

The Normans could now attack from the side. The few housecarls that were left were forced to form a small circle round the English standard. The Normans attacked again and this time they broke through the shield wall and Harold and most of his housecarls were killed. With their king dead, the fyrd saw no reason to stay and fight, and retreated to the woods behind. The Normans chased the fyrd into the woods but suffered further casualties themselves when they were ambushed by the English. According to William of Poitiers : "Victory won, the duke returned to the field of battle. He was met with a scene of carnage which he could not regard without pity in spite of the wickedness of the victims. Far and wide the ground was covered with the flower of English nobility and youth. Harold's two brothers were found lying beside him." The next day Harold's mother, Gytha, sent a message to William offering him the weight of the king's body in gold if he would allow her to bury it. He refused, declaring that Harold should be buried on the shore of the land which he sought to guard.

(13) UK Battlefields Resource Centre - Britons, Saxons & Vikings - The Norman Conquest - The Battle of Battle of Hastings Battle of Hastings 14th October 1066 The battle of Hastings was fought on the morning of the 14th October 1066. The English army, led by King Harold, deployed on Senlac hill, where the Abbey and town of Battle now stand, but William's army had already marched north from Hastings and it is said that he engaged before Harold's troops were fully deployed. Contemporary accounts suggest it was a close run thing. William attacked with cavalry as well as infantry, something the English rarely if ever did. In contrast, Harold's well trained troops all fought on foot in the traditional English manner. Formed up behind a shield wall in such a good defensive location, they proved formidable opponents for the Normans. It is claimed that the fighting continued for most of the day. Finally, after reversals on both sides, William breached the shield wall. The collapse of the English defence may have been as a direct result of Harold himself being killed, for medieval armies so often lost their resolve once their leader was dead.

Once their carefully organised formation was broken they were vulnerable, particularly to cavalry attack. Despite a possible attempt to hold the Norman pursuit at a site described as the 'Malfosse', the English forces were routed, fleeing northward towards the woods of the Weald. Though other forces remained undefeated across the country, having lost their leader and most of the housecarls the English never again mounted a serious challenge. Victory at Hastings had given William one of the greatest prizes in Europe and saw the English people subjugated by an oppressive foreign aristocracy. 1066 is the best known date in English History. The battlefield also has, arguably, the most impressive of all battlefield monuments: Battle Abbey, which was built by the Conqueror in recognition of his victory and in memory of those who had fallen in battle. Despite the laying out of the Abbey and the town of Battle on Senlac hill, and various subsequent changes including the modern expansion of the town, much of the battlefield remains undeveloped. A visit can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience which has been improved by the opening of a new visitor centre and the provision of an excellent audio tour. Two alternative locations for the battle have recently been suggested, both of which have received considerable media coverage.

Nick Austin has claimed that the fighting took place nearer to the coast at Crowhurst while John Grehan argues in a recently-published book that the battle was actually fought on Caldbec Hill, a little to the north of Senlac. The Trust welcomes this new interest in the exact location of what is arguably the most important battlefield in England and approaches new theories about it with an open ï¿½ but cautious ï¿½ mind. Archaeology must be conducted to the highest standards and finds must be properly identified and recorded and subject to expert scrutiny. To this end the Trust is keen to work with English Heritage and the Sussex County Archaeologist to gain their considered views and also awaits expert independent verification of any finds and their significance. The Trust will be assessing the arguments in Mr Grehan's recent book. It has also invited Mr Austin to supply properly referenced submissions relating to the landscape and the sources that might establish the desirability of a project such as that at Bosworth to re-evaluate the location of the battle. To date the Trust has not yet received the sort of information that it needs as a point of departure, but it looks forward to that happening.

KEY FACTS Battle of Hastings 1066 - History Learning Site Home » Medieval England » Battle of Hastings 1066 Battle of Hastings 1066 Citation: C N Trueman "Battle of Hastings 1066" historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, 5 Mar 2015. 20 Oct 2016. The Battle of Hastings was to shape the future of Medieval England . However, the battle took place about seven miles from Hastings – so in many respects it is misnamed. Why, then was the Battle of Hastings so-called? In 1066 , Battle was an important area. Even in the Domesday Book , this part of Sussex was valued at £48 before the battle and £30 in 1066 itself. Compared to other parts of Sussex, Battle was wealthy. However, the title Battle of Battle would not have worked, and for convenience sake, the nearest large town was selected – Hastings. The battle itself was fought by the current Battle Abbey – however, the main thrust of the battle concerned Harold’s position on Senlac Hill, a short distance from the current abbey. Why was Battle so important?

In the 11th Century, the coastline of Sussex was different to that of today. The coast was nearer to Battle than it is today and the only major ‘road’ that linked Hastings to London went through Battle. If Harold held out at Battle, William would have had great difficulties sustaining his campaign. If William won, he would have control of the only proper ‘road’ to London – the heart of England. Scenes from the battlefield: Harold’s view from the top of Senlac Hill: The view from Harold’s position Harold would have had a major advantage by placing his shield wall here. William and the Normans would have had to attack Harold up this hill. William’s men gathered in what appears to be a second field behind the single tree line (just above the central line). Also, Harold knew roughly the route that the Normans would have to take. The single tree line that runs just above the centre of the photo is wet and boggy from water that flows down the hill. William would not have been able to move his cavalry through this area as the horses would have been bogged down. In October, this section would probably have been very boggy.

If the current geography is similar to that of 1066, William would have attacked from the left of the photo. William’s view from the bottom of Senlac Hill: The view the Normans had of Harold’s position Harold’s shield wall would have been roughly where the remains of the abbey can be seen, running along the top of Senlac Hill. The climb for William’s soldiers – in their heavy chain mail armour – would have been difficult even if the Saxons had not been trying to kill them! The Bayeaux Tapestry shows that the Saxons rained down arrows on the advancing Normans – so the advance up the hill would have been very dangerous for men and horses. William would have avoided the bog by the central tree line. His troops would have attacked via the gap to the central left in the photo. Though the photo seemingly shows a relatively flat piece of land, the incline from the bottom of the hill to the top is reasonably steep. Though Norman soldiers of the time would have been fit and strong, the climb would still have been tiring in the best of circumstances – in a battle, it would have been a lot worse. Battle of Hastings?

No, the Battle of Caldbec Hill: Real site of 1066 carnage was a mile away, claims historian | Daily Mail Online Next Battle of Hastings? No, the Battle of Caldbec Hill: Real site of 1066 carnage was a mile away, claims historian Historian John Grehan claims that the famous 1066 conflict actually took place on Caldbec Hill and not Senlac Hill as originally thought No human remains or artefacts have ever been found at Senlac Hill in the village comments For a millennium, it has stood as a monument to one of the bloodiest struggles in England’s history. Hordes of tourists troop to Battle Abbey to stand at the spot where King Harold fell at the Battle of Hastings. Now, if the theories of a local historian are to be believed, they may be going to the wrong place. John Grehan claims the spot where the Battle of Hastings is commemorated is not actually where the fighting happened. According to Mr Grehan, the supposed site of the struggle, marked by Battle Abbey, is a mile away from the real scene of combat in 1066.

Members of historical re-enactment groups, assuming the role of Saxon and Norman soldiers, perform the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey Mr Grehan points out that no human remains or artefacts from the conflict have ever been found near Battle Abbey, even though some 10,000 men are believed to have died there. His theory is that the real site of the fighting was the steep Caldbec Hill, to the north-west of Hastings – and if he is proved right, history books around the world may have to be rewritten. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share Thousands of tourists flock to Battle Abbey every year to learn about the conflict, which resulted in the death of King Harold and played a pivotal role in the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror. Now Mr Grehan, 61, is calling for the site at Caldbec Hill to be excavated to see whether the remains of battle victims are buried there.

The Bayeux Tapestry, part of which is pictured, famously depicts the 1066 battle which saw King Harold supposedly shot through the eye with an arrow in what was a decisive victory for William the Conqueror He said: ‘I assumed everything was known about the Battle of Hastings but I found that almost nothing is known by way of fact. Excavations have been carried out at Battle Abbey and remnants pre-dating the battle were found, but nothing relating to the conquest. Some 10,000 men died at the Battle of Hastings; there has to be a mass grave somewhere.’ It is documented that King Harold assembled his English army on Caldbec Hill before advancing on Senlac Hill – or Battle Hill – a mile away to meet the invading Normans. Another section of the Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the Battle of Hastings. Historian John Grehan has claimed that the conflict may have actually taken place on Caldbec Hill and not at Battle Hill as historically thought But Mr Grehan believes Harold never left his defensive hilltop position and the Normans took the battle to the English. He has studied contemporaneous documents in the national archives and built up a dossier of circumstantial evidence that he believes proves his theory.

Witness accounts from 1066 state the battle was fought on steep and unploughed terrain, consistent with Caldbec Hill. Senlac Hill, meanwhile, was cultivated and had gentle slopes. The Great Gatehouse at Battle Abbey, Battle, East Sussex. The Abbey stands close to the site where it had been thought that the Battle of Hastings took place In addition, the Normans erected a cairn of stones on the battle site to commemorate their victory, known as a ‘Mount-joie’ in French. The summit of Caldbec Hill is still known as Mountjoy. One English source from the time, John of Worcester, also stated that the battle was fought nine miles from Hastings, the same distance as Caldbec Hill. Harold is supposed to have abandoned his high position to meet William on lower ground, a tactic that makes no sense as he would have been moving away from his reinforcements. Furthermore, Mr Grehan believes he has identified the site of a mass grave where the fallen soldiers may be buried. Mr Grehan, from Shoreham, West Sussex, has made his arguments in a book called The Battle of Hastings – The Uncomfortable Truth, to be published in January.

He added: ‘Two days after the battle the Normans moved on towards Winchester. They had two days to get rid of the thousands of bodies. You can’t dig that many graves in such a short space of time. ‘At the bottom of Caldbec Hill is Malfosse ditch, I believe the bodies were rolled down the hill and dumped in this ditch which was filled in. A proper archaeological dig of that ditch needs to happen.’ Roy Porter, the regional curator for English Heritage which owns Battle Abbey, said they were obliged to look into alternative theories for the battle site. But he said the spot the abbey is built on is based on a number of historical sources and is documented before 1120. He added: ‘It would be premature to comment on Mr Grehan’s thesis until the book is published.’ WHAT DOES HISTORY SAY ABOUT THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS? It has historically been believed that the Battle of Hastings took place at a site now known as Battle on October 14 1066. Harold organised his troops in three wedges on Senlac Ridge, overlooking the battlefield.

He had little more than 5,000 weary men who found themselves up against a Norman force of up to 15,000 infantry, archers and cavalry. Facing such odds, Harold had no choice but to fight a defensive battle. He was forced to rely on the much-vaunted English shield-wall. His men could stand and let the Norman attacks break themselves. The tactic was initially very successful. Relentlessly, the Norman knights hurled themselves against the English shields, but were unable to make any headway. Then the Bretons led by Count Alan on the Norman left began to give way. The whole incident is portrayed on the famous Bayeux tapestry. The battle had turned. Now the English wall had broken, and the Normans were able to lever open the cracks. Exhaustion and the shear numbers of Normans took their toll. Gyrth and Leofwine, the two remaining brothers of Harold were killed according to the Tapestry, and Harold was soon to follow. We see him taking an arrow in the eye and then being ridden down by a Norman cavalryman, one of four who managed to break through the English line and trample Harold into the ground.

Though the English still fought on bravely after their king had fallen, their cause was lost, and eventually they fled into the night. (Source: BBC) 1066 The Battle of Hastings - YouTube 1066 The Battle of Hastings Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Oct 12, 2010 It's the 14th of October, 1066 and two opposing armies come together on Senlac Hill to argue Harold's right to the English throne or uphold William the Bastard's claim of an old king's dying behest. For the Normans the ominous sight of Harold's Saxon shield wall straddling Senlac ridge with the dragon banner of Wessex and his own personal banner of the Fighting Man, flying in the stiffening breeze greets them on this bleak October morning.

William relied on basic tactics with archers in the front rank weakening the enemy with arrows, followed by infantry which would engage in close combat, culminating in a cavalry charge that would break through the English forces. However, his tactics did not work as well as planned. William's army attacked the English as soon as they were ready and formed up. Norman archers shot several volleys but many of the arrows hit the shield wall and had very little effect. Believing the English to have been softened up, William ordered his infantry to attack. As the Normans charged up the hill, the English threw down whatever they could find: stones, javelins, and maces. The barrage inflicted heavy casualties among the Norman ranks, causing the lines to break up. The infantry charge reached the English lines, where ferocious hand-to-hand fighting took place. William had expected the English to falter, but the arrow barrage had little effect and nearly all the English troops still stood, their shield wall intact. As a result William ordered his cavalry to charge far sooner than planned. Faced with a wall of axes, spears and swords, many of the horses shied away despite their careful breeding and training.

After an hour of fighting, the Breton division on William's left faltered and broke completely, fleeing down the hill. Suffering heavy casualties and realising they would be quickly outflanked, the Norman and Flemish divisions retreated with the Bretons. Unable to resist the temptation, many of the English broke ranks, including hundreds of fyrdmen and Harold's brothers, Leofwyne and Gyrthe. In the following confused fighting, William's horse was killed from underneath him, and he toppled to the ground. Initially, many of William's soldiers thought that he had been killed, and an even greater rout ensued. It was only after he stood up and threw off his helmet that William was able to rally his fleeing troops. William and a group of his knights successfully counter-attacked the pursuing English, who were no longer protected by the shield wall, and cut down large numbers of fyrdmen. Many did not recognise the Norman counter-attack until it was too late, but some managed to scramble back up the hill to the safety of the housecarls. Harold's brothers were not so fortunate—their deaths deprived the English of an alternative leader after the death of Harold.

The two armies formed up, and a temporary lull fell over the battle. The battle had turned to William's advantage, since the English had lost much of the protection provided by the shield wall. Without the cohesion of a disciplined, strong formation, the individual English were easy targets. William launched his army at the strong English position again and many of the English housecarls were killed. With such a large number of English fyrdmen now holding the front rank, the disciplined shield wall that the housecarls had maintained began to falter, presenting an opportunity to William. At the start of the battle the hail of arrows fired at the English by William's bowmen was ineffective because of the English shields. Though many on the front ranks still had shields, William ordered his archers to fire over the shield wall so that the arrows landed in the clustered rear ranks of the English army. The archers did this with great success. Legend states that it was at this point that Harold was hit in the eye by an arrow. Many of the English were now weary. William's army attacked again, and managed to make small chinks in the shield wall. They were able to exploit these gaps, and the English army began to fragment.

William and a handful of knights broke through the wall, and struck down the English king. Without their leader and with many nobles dead, hundreds of fyrdmen fled the field. The housecarls kept their oath of loyalty to the king, and fought bravely until they were all killed. William's victory placed a foreign ruler on the throne of England Category Battle of Hastings (1066) | Medieval Battles | Battlefields of Britain Battlefields of Britain Medieval Battles BATTLE OF HASTINGS (1066) Possibly the most significant battle in English history, Hastings was the third battle fought in rapid succession by Harold Godwineson, last Saxon King of England. Marching his troops south from York he sought to surprise and destroy the forces of William, Duke of Normandy who had landed at Pevensey and already established his first castle at Hastings. Skip to > Historical Background On the 4 January 1066, the English King Edward the Confessor died childless. During his reign he had carefully managed a number of competing claimants to his throne and, whilst he might have achieved his own objective of ending his days peacefully in his own bed, his death prompted a succession crisis.

Despite William, Duke of Normandy allegedly having received a promise of the English throne from Edward in the 1040s, the dying King nominated the powerful landowner Harold Godwineson as his heir and successor. With broad support from the English nobility he was crowned as Harold II just a day after Edward’s death. Alongside William, another foreign magnate was aggrieved by his coronation; the Norwegian King, Harald Hardrada who had set his sights on conquest despite a fairly flimsy legal claim to the English throne. Both Normans and Norwegians made preparations to invade and Harold spent the Summer of 1066 in the south of England with his army waiting for an invasion. Summer came and went with no attack prompting Harold to disband his army; but no sooner than he had news arrived of Harald Hardrada’s invasion in the north. The forces of the Norwegian King, aided by Godwineson’s own brother, sailed up the River Ouse to attack York . A fierce fight ensued where the northern Earls Edwin and Morcar tried to thwart the invaders but were defeated at the Battle of Fulford on 20 September 1066.

Five days later King Harold was in the north with his army where he surprised and defeated them at the Battle of Stamford Bridge . Harald of Norway was killed and the Viking forces decimated. Prelude With Harold and his army in the north, William landed unopposed at Pevensey on 28 September 1066. Rather than proceed inshore, he immediately consolidated his beachhead first by taking control of the old Roman fortification at Pevensey Castle and then proceeding east where he hastily erected Hastings Castle . Concurrently he sent small forces to attack local settlements – all of which were under the guardianship of Harold; William, who required a decisive victory early in his campaign to avoid logistical challenges, hoped to goad the English King into early battle. It worked for when news reached King Harold (who was still in York celebrating his victory at Stamford Bridge) he immediately headed south to London. By the 12 October he had mustered his forces and set out towards the south coast hoping to surprise the Norman invaders. Unfortunately for Harold, William’s scouts alerted him early and he led his forces inland to meet the threat. Numbers The English force probably numbered around 7,000 fighting men although some historians cite figures much higher.

It was predominantly infantry as most of Harold’s archers had been left behind during the fast march south from York whilst cavalry was not used in battle by the Saxons. The core element of Harold's forces were his own household troops, Housecarls, who were heavily armoured professional soldiers regarded as some of the best in Europe. Armed with shields, spears and double-handed axes these were the men who had won at Stamford Bridge. The bulk of the English infantry force though were unarmoured men levied from the shires with little experience of fighting. It was this mixed force that arrived in vicinity of Senlac Hill on the night of 13 October 1066. Historians are again divided on the size of the Norman force both in actual numbers and relative size to the English. It is probable that the invading force was smaller than the Saxons but not significantly so. Crucially though it was a balanced force; William brought armoured cavalry, significant numbers of archers and a predominantly armoured infantry force.

The Battle Alerted to the approach of the Saxons, William had marched his army inshore and on the morning of 14 October 1066 the two forces met in the vicinity of the modern village of Battle named after what was about to come. It was possible Harold was surprised by the presence of the Normans - they had marched further inshore than he expected - but he occupied the summit Senlac Hill which was a strong defensive position well suited to Saxon tactics. - Stage 1: Deployment William planned a decisive three phase battle. First he would weaken the English position with an crossbow assault and second break their organised ranks with an infantry attack. The third and final phase would be to see the (by then) disorganised English ranks devastated by a heavy cavalry charge. Accordingly he configured his army into three ranks: archers to the front, infantry in the second rank (in three groups; Normans in the centre, flanked by Bretons on the left and French troops on the right) with cavalry to the rear. Harold’s plan was to hold his position and repulse each Norman attack until his enemy was spent. Only then would he initiate a charge downhill to destroy the remnant.

Harold placed his armoured Housecarls at the front of his line whose shields and heavy weapons would be needed to deal with the Norman assaults. - Stage 2: Norman Archers Attack The battle commenced around 9.30am with William deploying his archers as planned. These men fired their crossbows directly at the English line but with little effect. Whilst the lack of English archers meant reply was limited, the shields of the Housecarls absorbed the brunt of the attack and Norman ammunition was soon exhausted. - Stage 3: Norman Infantry Attack William now sent his infantry forward to smash the English lines. However, the English ranks were still intact as the arrow assault had largely been ineffective. The Normans faced an unenviable task of attacking uphill against a heavily armoured frontline. - Stage 4: Bretons Break The Normans met a murderous reception at the top of Senlac Hill. The Breton forces, on the Norman left, broke and fled especially when rumours that Duke William had been killed circulated. - Stage 5: William Rallies Bretons As the Bretons retreated, a portion of the English army were seduced into following.

Quick action by Duke William turned disaster into success; riding into the fleeing Bretons with helmet raised he assured them he was still alive and persuaded them to hold their ground. Concurrently he directed cavalry to cut down the English pursuers. This was effective but the English line held, depleted but intact. - Stage 6: Feigned Retreats? The Normans seemingly now attempted to replicate their success on the left elsewhere by either “feigned retreats” as suggested by the chroniclers or genuine fleeing. Either way the efforts failed and the English maintained their position on top of Senlac Hill. - Stage 7: Cavalry Attack William now tried to smash the English line with a portion of his cavalry. But attacking uphill against the still intact English frontline was an impossible task; it is likely they suffered heavy casualties without any success against the defending forces. - Stage 8: Combined Attack Hours had now passed and by late afternoon the English line was still intact. William now tried a coordinated attack. Instructing his archers to fire over the heads of the armoured frontline into the unarmoured rear, he concurrently ordered an infantry attack from a force made from the survivors of the original three infantry groups.

The combined attack worked, and it was allegedly at this time Harold took an arrow in the eye, and the infantry attack broke up the English line. - Stage 9: English Defeat With Harold dead, the English lacked leadership to rally their line. William sent a cavalry charge forward which routed the English force. Aftermath The battle finished late in the day but the Normans used every minute of daylight left to pursue and kill the English forces fleeing the battlefield. Much of the nobility of Saxon England either died on top Senlac Hill or where cut down by the Norman pursuit. Two and a half months later William was crowned in London and, despite some significant uprisings, the Normans entrenched their presence by constructing castles across the country. In the short term the effect was felt purely in England with vast swathes of the Saxon aristocracy being dispossessed. Longer term the impact was felt in Wales, Scotland and Ireland as the Norman influence spread. Few battles have had such a profound impact on the history of the British Isles. Location of the Battle Perhaps due to the lack of archaeological finds on the traditional site, a number of alternative locations have been mooted for the location of the Battle of Hastings.

Caldbec Hill, about 0.5 miles to the north of the traditional site, is most often suggested but evidence for this is extremely limited. Currently most historians believe the traditional site remains the most probable although arguments relating to the orientation of the battle are persuasive; it is possible the Normans advanced on an axis centred on modern day Lower Lake Road albeit with the English position remaining in vicinity of the site of Battle Abbey. Bibliography Beresford, M.W and St Joseph, J.K.S (1979). Medieval England - An Aerial Study. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Burne, A.H (2005). Battlefields of England. Pen and Sword Books Ltd, Barnsely. Carruthers, B and Ingram, J. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: Illustrated and Annotated. Pen and Sword, Barnsley. Carpenter, D (2004). The Struggle for Mastery. Penguin Books Ltd, London. Cyprien, M and Fairbairn, N (1983). A Traveller's Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Evans Brothers Ltd, London. Dodds, G.L (1996).

Battles in Britain 1066-1746. Arms & Armour, London. Douglas, D.C and Greeaway, G.W (ed) (1981). English Historical Documents Vol 2 (1042-1189). Routledge, London. English Heritage (1995). Battlefield Report: Hastings (1066). Swindon. Gibbs-Smith, C.H (1973). The Bayeux Tapestry. Cavendish, Leicester. Green, H (1973). Guide to the Battlefields of Britain and Ireland. Constable, London. Huscroft, R (2009). The Norman Conquest: A New Introduction. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow. Kinross, J (1979). The Battlefields of Britain. London. Lancaster, J.H.D (2013). Hastings: Battlefield visit notes and observations. CastlesFortsBattles.co.uk. McLynn, F (1999). 1066: The Year of the Three Battles. Pimlico, London.

Ordnance Survey (2015). Battle. 1:1250. Southampton. Reynolds, A.J (1999). Later Anglo-Saxon England: Life and Landscape. Stroud. Schofield, G (1966). The Third Battle of 1066. History Today, London. Smurthwaite, D (1993). The Complete Guide to the Battlefields of Britain. Michael Joseph, London. What's There? The ruined remains of Battle Abbey is owned by English Heritage and is sited on the traditional (and still most likely) battlefield. A major tourist attraction, it offers excellent exhibitions and a battlefield walk (complete with audio tour). Traditional Interpretation: View to the south from Battle Abbey. Normans advanced towards camera. Traditional Interpretation: View to the east from near Battle Abbey. Normans advanced from the distant centre to the near right. Alternative Interpretation (Revised Axis): View to west and line of the Norman advance. Alternative Interpretation (Revised Axis): English position (the Abbey High Altar is to the rear of the houses). Alternative Interpretation (Revised Axis): View to north from Marley Lane.

A steep drop on English left flank was recorded by chroniclers. Today the land is owned by the National Trust. Battle Abbey. The abbey was built on the orders of William the Conqueror with construction commencing around 1070. It was lightly fortified during the fourteenth century as a consequence of the Hundred Years War. The fortified Gatehouse, shown above, was built at this time as were the surrounding walls. Location. One of the most persuasive arguments for the traditional battlefield being the correct location is the Abbey itself where great effort was expended modifying the unsuitable terrain for the structure and community. Attempts to build on a more suitable location nearby were vetoed by William. Getting There Located in the small village of Battle about 6 miles north west of Hastings and is very well sign-posted. A dedicated car park serves the site; parking is pay on departure although English Heritage members are only charged £1 (or free for life members).

A further 200 metres along Upper Lane, the National Trust have preserved the view to the north of the village Battle Abbey BBC - History - British History in depth: 1066 Print this page Claims to the throne It all began with the death of Edward the Confessor, in January 1066. The Bayeux tapestry depicts Edward on his deathbed, offering the English crown to Harold, and this event is reflected in most of the chronicles of the time. Edward's corpse was eventually borne in state to his own new cathedral church at Westminster, and the tapestry shows Harold there, being offered the crown by the magnates of England, among whom must have been Edwin and Morcar. Harold was crowned at Westminster Abbey by Archbishop Stigand of Canterbury and Archbishop Ealdred of York. It is significant that only the former is depicted (and actually named) on the Bayeux tapestry, as his appointment had never been recognised by the Pope, allowing the Norman propaganda machine to portray Harold's coronation as illegal.

On the tapestry, the members of the congregation shown as witnessing the event are facing Harold, but their eyes are turned towards Halley's Comet, which is depicted in the sky as a portent of the doom to come. Harold is seen receiving news of the Comet with fear in his eyes. William decided on invasion... These bad omens for Harold were important to William of Normandy, who was set on claiming the English crown for himself - omens as important as the 'promise' of 1051 and the 'oath' of 1064. This was because, despite his pre-eminent position, he required the active co-operation of his nobles for the great venture he was planning - the venture to invade England and become the English king. William could not just demand support from his nobles, he had to convince them of his case. He needed to show his followers that his claim was a lawful one, and that he had God on his side. So when he decided on invasion, he took elaborate measures to ensure he had strong support, and even sent an envoy to the Pope asking for his blessing. William did not move immediately.

He only began plans for an invasion after Tostig arrived in neighbouring Flanders, looking for support against Harold in a projected invasion of Northumbria. This was the lever that William needed: with Harold occupied in the north, William could invade in the south. Whether or not he thought God was on his side, William's preparations were very down to earth. Top Harold becomes king Westminster Abbey, the site of Harold's coronation © On top of anything else, William must have been painfully aware that his claim to England's throne was actually the least legitimate of all the putative contenders. It rested entirely on a spurious promise, made over 15 years previously, and on the fact that William's great-grandfather was Edward's maternal grandfather. Harold had an equally weak blood claim, through the brother-in-law of King Cnut, although it was he who was Edward's last nominated heir. There were others with much stronger blood claims, among them Swegn Estrithson, King of Denmark, who was the nephew of King Cnut; and Edgar the Aetheling, grandson of Edmund Ironside, from whom Cnut had wrested the kingdom in 1016.

Aetheling actually means 'throneworthy' and was the title given to the most legitimate heir; but a legitimate blood claim was only part of the issue. The crown would go to the claimant who could muster most support amongst the 'great and the good' of England. In January 1066, Edgar Aetheling was a minor, and with the wolves breathing at the door, the English magnates could not afford to risk the kingdom in such inexperienced hands. So they turned to Harold, the obvious power behind the throne, who, as we have seen, had prepared his ground well. Instead, William watched, and he waited... Immediately after Edward's death, the cards were flying and everyone was gambling madly. Tostig enlisted the help of a powerful Joker in the pack, the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada, an adventurer who had fought for the Byzantines in the Varangian Guard and was now trying to recreate the Viking kingdom of Northumbria. William had the other Joker, the Pope, in his pocket, and was drawing his Aces around him.

He toured Normandy, visiting each of his most powerful barons in person, and also made deals with neighbouring magnates like Eustace of Boulogne and the exiled Count Alan of Brittany. He promised them land and positions within his new kingdom, which they in turn could grant to their followers in return for loyal service. In May 1066, Tostig made his first, abortive, attempt to invade England. Harold called out the English levy (the fyrd), which was an army of English peasant farmers obliged to fight for their king when required to do so, and kept it out. He wanted to be ready to face the invasion fleet that William had built and mustered at Rennes on the Norman coast. But William did not come. Instead, William watched, and he waited, and he made his meticulous preparations. These included the gathering of all the great magnates of Normandy, called to attend the dedication of his wife Matilda's new abbey at St Etienne, in Caen, on 18 June 1066. There William asked for the blessing of God on his invasion plan, and ensured that he also had the backing of man.

Top Stamford Bridge Stamford Bridge, the site where Harold defeated Tostig © In July, William's invasion fleet moved north to Dives, but still it did not cross the Channel. The sources say that the leader was waiting for fair weather, but he may equally have been awaiting news that Tostig had made his move. Either way, it was a perfect strategy. The English fyrd was a levy of peasant farmers, who by August were clamouring to be released so that they could take in their harvest. Harold had no option but to let them go. ...Tostig fell beneath the Raven Banner... On 20 September 1066, Harald Hardrada and Tostig sailed up the Ouse, with more than 10,000 men in 200 longships, to launch their long-awaited invasion of Northumbria. Earls Edwin and Morcar came out to meet them with a hastily assembled levy that consisted mainly of their own personal retainers. They were defeated at Fulford outside York, and their forces were so decimated that they were unable to play any further part in the campaigns of that year.

Harold reacted by scraping together a scratch force of his own, made up largely of his own housecarls and his 'thegns'. He raced north, calling up all the shire levies he could muster on the way. In four days he marched 180 miles - to surprise Hardrada and Tostig, east of York, at Stamford Bridge, on 25 September. Before the battle began, Harold offered Tostig his earldom back if he would change sides, but Tostig threw the offer back in the king's face. The Norwegians held a strong position, defending the bridge on the north-eastern shore of the River Derwent. Legend has it that a lone axeman held the bridge against all-comers for hours, until a sneaky Englishman paddled under the bridge in a barrel and thrust a spear up through the wooden slats. Once the bridge fell, the battle was a foregone conclusion. Both Hardrada and Tostig fell beneath the Raven Banner in a last, desperate stand. Harold had won the day, but at a price.

His army was tired and badly mauled, and he had lost the forces of both the Earl of Northumbria and the Earl of Mercia. Top Pevensey landings William built the first castle of the Conquest at Pevensey © This was the point at which William acted. Having sailed his fleet to St Valéry sur Somme, he waited for the wind to be in the right direction, and two days after Stamford Bridge, he sailed. His fleet consisted of almost 700 ships of classic Norse design, headed by the Mora, which is depicted on the Bayeux tapestry with a carved dragon figurehead on its prow, and a trumpeter sounding signals at its stern. ...the Normans pillaged and burned the surrounding area... Most sources claim that William's forces made landfall at Pevensey, but this may just be because Pevensey was the best-known port on the southern English shore. Recent work by amateur archaeologist Nick Austin suggests he may have found the actual site of William's landing, and first encampments, at Wilting Manor, outside Hastings. Once ashore, William ordered that some of his boats be symbolically burnt, while the rest were dismantled and pulled ashore.

An earth embankment was built across the harbour mouth to protect the ships from the weather, and a castle was constructed at the top of the hill. The remnants of these may still be seen today. Then the Normans pillaged and burned the surrounding area, in order to force Harold to come south and defend his people. Harold did not hesitate. Having heard of William's landing while at York, he raced his army down the old Roman road of Ermine Street, stopping on the way at his foundation of Waltham Abbey, to pray for victory. By 12 October, he was back in London and gathering what forces he could to face William. By the 14th, he was on the way to Hastings. William received news of Harold's approach from Vitalis - a prominent vassal of Odo of Bayeux, who is depicted on the Bayeux tapestry bringing the message - and marched out to face the English king. Top The Battle of Hastings Battle, the site of the Battle of Hastings © The Battle of Hastings took place at a site now known as Battle on 14 October 1066. Harold drew up his army in three wedges on Senlac Ridge, overlooking the battlefield.

With him he had little more than 5,000 footsore and weary men, ranged against a Norman force of up to 15,000 infantry, archers and cavalry. Facing such odds, Harold had no choice but to fight a defensive battle. He was forced to rely on the much-vaunted English shield-wall, behind which his men could stand and let the Norman attacks break themselves. The ferocious resolution of the English struck terror into the foot-soldiers... The tactic was a great success. Again and again, the Norman knights hurled themselves against the English shields, but as the Bayeux tapestry shows, they were unable to make any headway. Then, on the Norman left, the Bretons under Count Alan began to give way. Orderic Vitalis takes up the story: 'The ferocious resolution of the English struck terror into the foot-soldiers and knights of the Bretons and other auxiliaries on the left wing; they turned to flee and almost the whole of the Duke's battle line fell back, for the rumour spread that he had been killed.

But the Duke, seeing a great part of the opposing army springing forwards to pursue his men, met them as they fled, threatening and striking them with his spear. 'Baring his head and lifting his helmet he cried: "Look at me, I'm alive and with the aid of God I will gain the victory!" No sooner had the Duke spoken these brave words than their failing courage was restored, and surrounding several thousand of their pursuers, they mowed them down almost at once.' It was the turning point of the battle. The whole incident is portrayed on the Bayeux tapestry. It was the turning point of the battle. Now the English wall had broken, and the Normans were able to lever open the cracks. Exhaustion and weight of numbers also took their toll. Gyrth and Leofwine, the two remaining brothers of Harold are depicted being cut down on the tapestry, and Harold was soon to follow. We see him on the Bayeux tapestry taking an arrow in the eye and then being ridden down by a Norman cavalryman, one of four who managed to break through the English line and trample Harold into the ground.

Though the English still fought on bravely after their king had fallen, their cause was lost, and eventually they fled into the night. The body of Harold was eventually recovered... Tradition has it that William gave thanks to God for his victory and ordered that all in his army should do penance for the souls that they had killed that day. He himself paid for the foundation of Battle Abbey on the spot where Harold fell. The body of Harold was eventually recovered after a long search, but its face was so badly disfigured that they had to bring it to his concubine, Edith Swan-neck, to identify by the intimate marks upon his body. Initially, William had the body buried next to the battlefield, with a headstone reading, 'Here lies Harold, King of the English', but after Harold's name was blackened by later Norman propaganda, the headstone was removed, and the body was disinterred and taken to Harold's abbey at Waltham. Top King William The Abbé-aux-Dames, where William prayed before embarking for England © The contest for England was not yet over, however.

William kept his army in Hastings for about a week, then he marched through south-eastern England, via Dover and Canterbury, to London Bridge. Finding this too heavily defended, he continued along the southern bank of the Thames to Wallingford, sending a detachment to take Winchester on the way. Wallingford was the easternmost ford of the Thames, and was defended by an ancient Anglo-Saxon burh (a fortified town) under the command of the king's thegn Wigot of Wallingford. By now it was December, and the long campaign had sapped the English will to resist. Dover and Southwark had been razed to the ground, and William now had control of Canterbury, the religious centre of England, and Winchester, the ceremonial seat of the English kings. At Wallingford, the first English submissions occurred. Archbishop Stigand of Canterbury led a delegation of important English bishops and thegns, who surrendered to William, and Wigot opened the gates of Wallingford to him. By Christmas, the earls Edwin, Morcar and Waltheof, along with Archbishop Ealdred of York, had also surrendered, having ensured that their positions would be secure under the new régime.

...with the new king trembling from head to foot. William was crowned by Archbishop Ealdred on Christmas Day, in Edward's new abbey cathedral at Westminster. This is significant, because the new king chose to be crowned in the same location as King Harold, deliberately stressing the continuity between himself and Edward's old régime. He also ensured that he was not crowned by Stigand, whose legitimacy was questioned by the Pope. During the ceremony, the assembled magnates (both Norman and English) shouted their acclamation of the new king; but their shouts startled the guards outside the cathedral who, fearing an English uprising, promptly set fire to the neighbouring city of London. Orderic Vitalis paints a vivid picture of the terrified congregation fleeing from the smoke-filled church whilst the remaining Bishops hastily completed the ceremony, with the new king trembling from head to foot. It was an interesting start to a completely new era.

Question: In 1066, on which hill did Harold deploy his troops for the Battle of Hastings?
Answer: SENLAC