Why Did William Win the Battle of Hastings?

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WHY DID WILLIAM WIN THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS? Analyse the reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066. By completing the card sort activity, you’ll identify and organise evidence around four main arguments. This will help you make a well-reasoned argument for William’s victory and Harold’s defeat. 1 Read the four main arguments for William’s victory below. Sort the evidence so that each bit sits underneath one of the 2 main arguments. Write a sentence for each group (argument and evidence) 3 explaining why those things explain William’s overall victory. Conclude by deciding which of the four main arguments best 4 explains William’s victory and why. HINT If you’re writing this as an essay, don’t forget to William, Duke of include an introduction saying how and why the Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson at battle came about and what your essay will cover. the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066 MAIN ARGUMENTS William was victorious at the William won the Battle of Battle of Hastings due to his Hastings because of his superior excellent leadership skills. strategy and tactics. William was able to defeat William was helped to victory Harold and his army because by Harold being unlucky on a Harold made some mistakes. number of occasions. www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/teaching-resources 1 OF 2 EVIDENCE Harold took the William used the throne of England tactic of a false Harold was wounded after Edward the retreat in an attempt and killed at the Confessor died, which the break the shield Battle of Hastings. meant he had to face wall and lure English two rivals who also troops off the ridge. wanted the throne. When Harold heard that William had Harold’s brother William brought an landed in England he Tostig, joined army equipped with rushed south instead forces with Harald 2000 horses by boat of taking his time to Hardrada. to England. build a big army. The wind changed Harold had to rush direction allowing Harold chose a good north to fight Harald William to sail to position on the ridge Hardrada as his England when Harold which put William at northern armies had was in the north a disadvantage. not defeated him. defeating Harald Hardrada. William lifted his Harold fought at Harold fought the helmet and showed Hastings with a Battle of Hastings his face to his troops weakened army as with an army tired to prove he was alive a result of the Battle from marching over and to encourage of Stamford Bridge. 190 miles. them to fight on. www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/teaching-resources 2 OF 2.

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The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings The Battle of Hastings is one of the most famous battles in English history. What Caused the Battle? In 1066, three men were fighting to be King of England: William of Normandy, Harold Godwinson and Harald Hardrada. Harold Godwinson was crowned king on 6th January 1066. William and Harald were not happy. They both prepared to invade England in order to kill King Harold and become king themselves. Harald Hardrada attacked from the north of England on 25th September. However, he was killed in battle and his army was defeated by King Harold’s army. King Harold was then told that William of Normandy had landed in the south and was attacking the surrounding countryside. King Harold was furious and marched his tired troops 300 kilometres to meet them. Eight days later, Harold and his men reached London. William sent a messenger to London. The message tried to get Harold to accept William as the true King of England. Harold refused and was angered by William’s request. Harold was advised to wait before attacking William and his army. His troops were very tired and they needed time to prepare for the battle. However, Harold ignored this advice and on 13th October, his troops arrived in Hastings ready to fight. They captured a hill (now known as Battle Hill) and set up a fortress surrounded with sharp stakes stuck in a deep ditch. Harold ordered his forces to stay in their positions no matter what happened. The Battle of Hastings On 14th October, the battle began.
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The Anglo-Saxons
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Timeline1800 18001600
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An Account of the Battle of Hastings 1066 by William of Malmesbury
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INTRODUCTION Anglo-Norman England Has Long Been a Fertile
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Edgar Aethling
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