8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

1/17

The Battle of Hastings,1066

The Battle of Hastings,1066

By Mr RJ HugginsBy Mr RJ Huggins

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

2/17

The Saxon ArmyThe Saxon Army

Harold had two types of soldiers in his army:Harold had two types of soldiers in his army:

1. Housecarls

These were full time professional soldiers who

were well trained & paid.

During the Battle of Hastings, oneHousecarl managed to cut his way

through the neck of a horse to kill its

rider with just one blow!

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

3/17

The Saxon ArmyThe Saxon Army

Harold had two types of soldiers in his 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.

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

4/17

The Norman ArmyThe Norman Army

Spearmen ArchersHorsemen /

Calvary

These are

highly trained,

full time

professionalsoldiers!

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

5/17

The BattlefieldThe Battlefield

Unsuitable for

horsemen

Harold Army

forms a shield

Wall

Williams

Horsemen

Williams

Archers

Williams

Spearmen &

Foot soldiers

Harolds

Housecarls

Fyrd:

Part Time

Soldiers

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

6/17

The Start of the BattleThe Start of the Battle

The blowing of trumpetsannounced the start of thebattle on both sides.Eager and brave Normanswere the first to attack.The English threw javelinsand missiles of all sorts,dealing out savage blowswith their axes.

William of Poitiers

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

7/17

The Start of the BattleThe Start of the Battle

Bayeux Tapestry, The Normans attack the Saxon Shield Wall

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

8/17

Early Stages of the BattleEarly Stages of the Battle

The English were helpedby the advantage of theirhigh position which,massed tightly togetherthey held withoutattempting to advance.The weapons which theyfought with easily cutthrough shields and otherprotective armour.

William of Poitiers

Aha, Im

going to try

me someFrench frogs

legs!

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

9/17

The Normans start running awayThe Normans start running away

The Normans imaged their Duke wasdead, but he rushed after them and

showed his bared head. Look at me!

he shouted, Im still alive.

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

10/17

A Cunning Plan!A Cunning Plan!

Duke William

When the Normans

retreated a thousand

Saxon Warriors left

the protection of the

Shield Wall to chase

after the Normans.

They were easily

Killed by the NormanHorsemen!

Hey Lads,

I have aplan!

What was Williams

Cunning Plan?

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

11/17

Second Stage: Cunning Plan!Second Stage: Cunning Plan!

Normans pretend to run awayThey then turn around and splatter the

Saxons who are chasing after them!

Oh Oh!

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

12/17

Second Stage: Cunning Plan!Second Stage: Cunning Plan!

They withdrew, pretendingto turn in flight. Some

thousand or more of the

English rushed forward;suddenly the Normans

turned their horses, cut offthe force which was pursuing

(chasing) them, encircled

them and massacred (killed)them to the last man. Twicethe Normans used this trick

with equal success.

William of Poitiers

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

13/17

Third Stage: The ArchersThird Stage: The Archers

The Shield Wall wasweakened but still strong, soWilliam orders his Archers toaim high to distract theSaxons whilst he led anothercharge.

The Shield Wall wasweakened but still strong, soWilliam orders his Archers toaim high to distract theSaxons whilst he led anothercharge.

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

14/17

Fourth Stage:The Shield Wall

Collapses

Fourth Stage:The Shield Wall

Collapses

Harolds

brothers are

killed.

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

15/17

Final Stage: Death of HaroldFinal Stage: Death of Harold

William sends in a hit squad of Normans

to kill King Harold

Then it was with an

arrow which was shottowards the sky,

struck Harold above

the right eye.

Guy of Amein, 1067

Receiving the fatal arrow

from a distance, he died.One of the Norman

soldiers with a sword then

cut off his leg as he lay.

William ofMamesbury, 1125

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

16/17

AftermathAftermath

Once King Harold and his brothers are dead

the rest of the Saxon army runaway.

8/3/2019 Battle Hastings

17/17

The Battlefield TodayThe Battlefield Today

King Harold waskilled here