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.