Harold brother Normandy Hastings Edward witan Harold heir

Harold brother Normandy Hastings Edward witan Harold heir Tostig 1066 Stamford Bridge Edgar 14 Norway William

12 February 2022 Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? Objectives: To identify the factors that helped William to win the Battle. To describe those factors. To prioritise the causes of William winning the Battle of Hastings.

Causation? Meanwhile, William of Normandy It was the evening of 14 th October 1066. vowed to thank God for his victory by The fighting had begun early in the building a great church on the site. You morning, but was finally over. Amidst can still visit Battle Abbey today. But the slaughter, Harold Gdwinson was what were the real reasons for identified by his mistress, dead! William’s victory? • Explaining why things happened in History is a key part of an historian’s job. Historians try to show lots of types of causes (factors) work together to cause events. • There are many ways to build explanations. One is to look for the impact of different factors in causing an event.

Causes • There are 3 main reasons why William won the Battle of Hastings. These are: 1. William’s strengths 2. Harold’s weaknesses 3. Other reasons (or luck)

• William’s strengths: Things that William or his side (the Normans) have done well. • Harold’s weaknesses: Things that Harold did wrong or something that Harold’s side has done poorly • Other aspects or Luck: Something that has nothing to do with either Harold or William.

Task – 10 minutes: 1. Write the question “Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? ” at the top of your sheet. 2. Read through the causes sheet. You will decide which category they belong in. 3. Write out at least two causes in each category. (the same one could go in more than one category)

William’s strengths • The Normans prepared carefully. They brought with them a useful mixture of well-equipped foot soldiers, archers and cavalry • William arranged his troops carefully and used them skilfully in the battle • The Norman’s clever trick of pretending to retreat caused the English to leave their strong position on the hill. • The Normans had knights on horseback who were skilful fighters • William was skilful, ambitious and determined to be King of England • The Norman’s clever trick of pretending to retreat caused the English to leave their strong position on the hill.

Harold’s weaknesses • Some of Harold’s best fighters died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge • The Battle of Stamford Bridge and the journey south made Harold’s troops very tired. • The Battle began before Harold’s troops were properly ready.

Other aspects which were nothing to do with either side • In the middle of the battle, Harold was killed. The English were weak without their leader. • The wind changed and allowed William’s troops to cross the channel at a time when Harold’s troops were away in the north.

Conclusion You need to write a paragraph explaining which of the reasons for Williams win is the most important. Try to give at least two way that reason is the most important. Here is a sentence to help you with this. I think the most important reason why William won at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 is …………… ……. . ……………………………. . This is because ………………………. Also, ……………………………. . ke a m u o y n Ca s k n i l / s n o s compari e h t n e e w bet ? s e s u a c t n differe g n i r b d l u That wo o t n o i s u l your conc. l e v e l r e h a hig