1. The Battle of Hastings
SS 8
Chapter 2
Pages 38-42

2. The Battle of Hastings
Decisive victory in the Norman conquest of England
Normans came from modern day France
Took place on October 14th, 1066
The battle took place on Senlac Hill, north of Hastings, England

3. Who? Duke William of Normandy vs. King Harold II
King Harold had about 5000 weary soldiers and William had about infantry, archers and cavalry

4. How William and Harold know each other
Harold was shipwrecked and William befriended him
Harold distinguished himself in battle and became William’s Vassal
Vassal: one who swears loyalty to a lord
William and Harold then fight over the throne of England
BUT no Vassal would EVER claim something his lord claims – Harold broke his Feudal Contract

5. Harold makes his oath to William

6. Why did it happen?
Harold had claimed the throne of England for himself in January 1066 soon after Edward the Confessor died
Some sources say that while Edward had promised the throne to his cousin William, on his deathbed he decided to bestow it to Harold instead
On September 28, 1066, William of Normandy, after being delayed by a storm in the English Channel, asserted his claim to the English crown by military force

7. Harold is crowned King

8. The Battle Harold had no choice but to fight a defensive battle
Harold relied on the English Shield Wall tactic

9. Shield Wall Tactic

10. The Turning Point in the Battle
The Norman’s were having trouble breaking the shield-wall
William ordered his knights to pretend to retreat. When they did Harold’s army broke ranks to chase the enemy.
They were slaughtered and the shield wall was broken

11. Who Won?
Harold was killed during the battle; traditionally, it is believed he was shot through the eye with an arrow
Although there was further English resistance for some time to come, this battle is seen as the point at which William gained control of England.

12. Bayeux Tapestry
The famous Bayeux Tapestry depicts William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings