The Battle of Hastings 1066 Background of England

The Battle of Hastings 1066

Background of England The Romans Julius Caesar invades Britannia 55 -54 BC The Saxons Departure of Romans in A. D. 410 Saxons, Angles, and Jutes Britain became England The Vikings Invasion begins in the 9 th Century

Background of Normandy The Romans The Franks The Vikings The Duchy of Normandy

Why the battle happened? Edward the Confessor dies without an heir to the throne. William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson of England asserted their claims.

Significance William the Conqueror was the first and last to successfully invade and take over England.

Leaders King Harold Godwinson William I Defeated the Wales in a series of campaigns (1062 -63) Began fighting battles at the age of 19 Secured Normandy in 1047 after The Battle of Val-ès-Dunes

Comparing Forces English 6000 Fyrd 40 day militia Farming tools Kite shields 1200 Housecarls Bill and Spears Kite Shields Possibly a few archers No Cavalry Normans 700 ships 7500 Infantry Battleaxe or Lance Kite Shield 3600 Knights Battleaxe, Spear, and Sword Kite Shield 1000 Archers 100 yard range

Norman Invasion 28 September – Landed near Pevensey Harold rushed south William set up camp overlooking Hasting 13 October Harold lead his troop to Senlac Hill 7 miles NW of Hastings William went on the defense

Norwegian Invasion September 1066 Vikings and Hardrada lose at Stamford Bridge

14 October 1066

Bishop Odo William’s half-brother who fought at Hastings.

Death of Harold Godwinson

The Aftermath No statistics Saxon delegation surrender to William in Berkhamstead William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066 Later defeated the Scots and Welsh

Bayeux Tapestry- 230 feet long