WHAT COULD HAROLD GODWINSON HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

Being the loser in battle is never great – so could Harold Godwinson have done anything differently? We’ve made an assessment of the key decisions he made in the build up to and during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Use this to help draw your own conclusions.

Decision Description For Against Assessment

He had been named as Edward’s heir and he was his brother-in-law. He was not of royal blood. Harold took the Did Harold make the right decision? crown of England on He was the most powerful noble in By taking the throne he put himself in a If he hadn’t taken the throne, the crown may have passed the death of Edward England at the time therefore the best position to be directly challenged by the to Edward’s nearest relation, Edgar Aethling, who was in the Confessor on hope for a quick succession. other contenders, Harald Hardrada and 1 his early teens and lacking in experience. 5th January 1066. He was the head of the royal army and William, duke of Normady. was able to successfully command forces.

When he heard of Harald Hardrada’s Harold needed to be decisive. By all accounts this was the correct decision – by acting By moving north, Harold left the south invasion, Harold His northern armies had not swiftly Harold caught Hardrada and his forces by surprise, coast of England unprotected and open moved north to succeeded in stopping Hardrada allowing his army to defeat them and achieve a great to invasion from the south. 2 challenge him and his forces moving inland. victory at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. immediately.

Harold and his men were tired from the When Harold heard Having landed unopposed in England, Battle of Stamford Bridge. They then had If Harold had waited longer he could have amassed a that William had William had already built a timber and to march over 190 miles south in 5 days. larger army made up of more rested and experienced landed in England earthwork castle at Pevensey and then men. However, the element of surprise had worked for he rushed south to moved his forces to Hastings. Harold’s haste meant he had to go into battle 3 with a shortage of archers as bowmen him at Stamford Bridge. meet him. Harold couldn’t let this invasion continue. travelled on foot and they’d not yet arrived.

Harold secured the better position on William had 2,000-3,000 knights. This gave There were a number of points during the battle when the battlefield, arranging his forces along his forces greater visibility and manoeuvrability being on horseback gave William the advantage – when the ridge. His housecarls were the finest on the battlefield (not possible in a ‘shield wall’ he needed to show his face to rally his troops, for Harold used different infantry in Europe and the Normans had formation). communicating changes in battle strategy and leading military tactics to to climb the slope to fight them. William at the The use of horses also allowed William to the charge. Harold employed a ‘shield wall’ communicate with his forces more quickly 4 Battle of Hastings. The battle was not easily decided. It lasted for 9 hours, formation which was thought to be and easily. (Horses were vulnerable to from dawn until dusk, indicating how challenging it was impenetrable by cavalry (as long as attack though and it’s said William had for both sides. it held together!). 3 horses killed beneath him.)

www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/teaching-resources 1 OF 2 Decision Conclusion

1

2

Harold Godwinson was killed at the Battle of Hastings on 3 14th October 1066.

HINT Don’t forget to consider Harold’s 4 decisions alongside other things that were beyond his control.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/teaching-resources 2 OF 2