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Battle of Hastings Is One of the Most Important and Well Known Battles in English History

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Battle of Hastings Is One of the Most Important and Well Known Battles in English History Things I need to know to help me with this topic: The Battle of Hastings is one of the most important and well known battles in English history. It took place on 14 October 1066 and was the start of the Norman Conquest of England. The Normans were the next group of people to rule England after the Year 2 Anglo-Saxons. They built some of our most well-known castles, such as Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. In September 1066, Harald Hardrada invaded England. King Harold’s forces met him and Harald Hardrada was killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. William the Conqueror was crowned King of England after he beat King Harold’s army. Battle of Hastings Books, texts, primary and secondary sources you may use: Vocabulary you will use: • Castles by Maggie Freeman • Castles: Usborne Beginners Word Definition • – See Inside Castles by Katie Daynes Usborne flap book battle A fight usually between two armies. • Norman the Norman from Normandy by Philip Ardagh A large building which was strengthened Suggested family experience – Take a look at BBC’s hands on history website by castle against an attack from an enemy. clicking here. There are lots of activities to try at home linked to castles and the Normans. For example you may want to visit a Norman castle and use the ‘I Spy’ conflict Disagreement or argument. guide on the website to find out what to look for. You could even build a motte and bailey castle if you were feeling creative. An invasion where someone tries to take control conquest or a place. defend Protect yourself from an attack. You will be able to answer the following: invaders Enter a place to take control of it. • Who were the Normans? • Why did they invade? monarchy The head and the royal family of a country. • Who wanted to be King of England? • When was the Battle of Hastings? Normans People from Normandy in Northern France. • What is the Bayeux tapestry? What does it show? settlement A place someone begins to live. • Which local castles were built after the Norman invasion? • What is a motte and bailey castle? tapestry Textile art created by weaving • Why were castles were rebuilt using stone instead of wood? Quick Summary The battle was between two rivals for the English throne: William, from Normandy in northern France, Main Events and an Anglo-Saxon called Harold. After beating King Harold's army in battle, William the Conqueror marched on to London. He was crowned King William I of England on Christmas day 1066. 28 September 1066: William, the Duke of Normandy, arrived English language and culture were changed forever and King William's descendants have ruled ever in England since. Lots of castles in the United Kingdom for example Dudley Castle, Kenilworth Castle, Ludlow 14 October 1066: William beat King Harold II at the Battle Castle and Warwick Castle are all Norman. of Hastings The Bayeux Tapestry shows what happened in the battle. It is called the Bayeux tapestry as it is kept 25 December 1066: William crowned King at Westminster in Bayeux in France. Abbey Name some Explain what we Questions we’ll ask you What were the What happened at examples of local throughout the unit to can learn from the Battle of Norman castles in features of a check your knowledge and the Bayeux Hastings? the United Norman castle? understanding tapestry? Kingdom. In 1066, Edward the Confessor, King of England died. Edward died with no children, unlike today the crown didn’t always go to the eldest child of a monarch. There were several people who claimed the throne was theirs: Invaders Harold Godwinson – Harold was powerful and rich. Edward the Confessor chose Harold as his successor. William, Duke of Normandy – William’s grandfather was Edward the Confessor’s uncle. – Harald Hardrada Harald was the king of Norway. A previous king of Norway made an agreement with a previous king of England that if either of them died childless, the other would inherit the throne of the country. He The Normans invaded England in 1066 because they wanted to was killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. have Norman king in England after the Anglo-Saxon king died. The Normans invaded from Normandy, in Northern France. Click here for more information on the Norman invasion. Or scan the QR code. William landed on the south coast of England with The battle went on for a long time and both sides had The Norman army used archers about 10,000 men. He came face to face with chances to win, until William pretended to retreat. and cavalry (horses) but Harold's Harold's army just outside Hastings a few days later. Harold's army chased them but it was a trick; William The Battle army used their shields to make a Harold had lined his army up at the top of Senlac and his soldiers turned back to fight. During the wall to protect themselves. Hill, which he hoped would be easy to defend. fighting King Harold was killed. William had won. At the time the tapestry was One of the most famous created, very few people could historical sources in the read. Books were rare, as world is the Bayeux Tapestry, each one had to be written by which tells the story of the hand. A tapestry told the Norman invasion in great story in a way that everyone detail. It even shows how could understand. King Harold II was killed. The Bayeux Tapestry also tells us things about Norman life, It is 70 metres long and such as what clothes, armour 50 centimetres high. That and even boats looked like. is as long as 7 buses. William the Conqueror made a promise to his supporters. If they fought for him during the invasion, he would reward them with a share of land Castles in England. After the invasion, lots of land was given to William’s supporters and they quickly began to build castles to defend their land. The Motte and Bailey castle. The Motte and Bailey These first castles, called Motte and Bailey, castles could be built were made of wood and earth. The words rapidly, but they were Motte and Bailey come from Norman words quite easy to attack. Also, meaning mound and enclosure. The Motte, as, as the structures within was a huge mound of earth, piled so high that Dudley Castle, the castle were made from people would struggle to run up its sides. Kenilworth Castle, wood, they could be Knights could stand on the top of the mounds Ludlow Castle and burned down easily. Over and see approaching enemies. The Bailey was Warwick Castle are time, the Normans rebuild an enclosed area at the foot of the Motte Windsor Castle, one of our all Norman. the castles chosing stone which contained living areas, bakeries, stables Queen’s homes, was originally over wood. and other facilities. a Motte and Bailey castle. .
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