Questions and Answers
What was the composition of the English army at the Battle of Hastings?
Infantry only
What caused Harold's army to retreat and be defeated?
Harold's death
When was William crowned king?
Christmas Day 1066
Study Notes
- In 1066, King Edward the Confessor died, setting up a succession struggle between several claimants to his throne.
- Harold, the current king, was forced to march south swiftly to gather forces to face an invasion by William, Duke of Normandy.
- The composition of the forces at the battle is unclear, but it is thought that the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers, while only about half of the invading force was infantry, the rest split equally between cavalry and archers.
- The battle lasted from about 9 am to dusk, and early efforts of the invaders to break the English battle lines had little effect.
- Harolds death led to the retreat and defeat of most of his army.
- After further marching and some skirmishes, William was crowned as king on Christmas Day 1066.
- There continued to be rebellions and resistance to Williams rule, but Hastings effectively marked the culmination of Williams conquest of England.
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