5 Questions
What was the main cause of the Battle of Hastings?
A succession struggle
What was the outcome of the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
Harold defeated Tostig and Hardrada
What was the composition of the English army at the Battle of Hastings?
Mostly infantry with few archers
How did the Normans gain the upper hand in the Battle of Hastings?
By using the tactic of pretending to flee in panic
When was William crowned as king of England?
On Christmas Day 1066
Study Notes
- The Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066 between the Norman-French army of William and the English army under Harold Godwinson.
- It took place near the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex and was a decisive Norman victory.
- The background to the battle was the death of King Edward the Confessor, which set up a succession struggle.
- Harold faced invasions by William, his own brother Tostig, and the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada.
- Tostig and Hardrada were defeated by Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, leaving William as his only serious opponent.
- William landed his invasion forces in the south of England at Pevensey and established a beachhead for his conquest of the kingdom.
- The exact numbers present at the battle are unknown, but the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers, whereas 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 the Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to flee in panic and then turning on their pursuers.
- Harolds death led to the retreat and defeat of most of his army.
- William was crowned as king on Christmas Day 1066, effectively marking the culmination of his conquest of England.
Test your knowledge of one of the most pivotal battles in English history with our Battle of Hastings quiz! From the opposing armies to the tactics used, this quiz will challenge your understanding of the events that led up to William the Conqueror's victory over Harold Godwinson. See how much you really know about this game-changing moment in British history!
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