The Battle of Hastings

Study Notes

The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066 between William, Duke of Normandy, and King Harold Godwinson of England.
It was a decisive Norman victory, beginning the Norman Conquest of England.
The battle took place near present-day Battle, East Sussex.
The background was a succession struggle after the death of King Edward the Confessor.
Harold faced invasions from 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 Harold's only serious opponent.
William landed his invasion forces in the south of England on 28 September 1066.
The exact numbers present at the battle are unknown, but the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers.
The Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to flee in panic and then turning on their pursuers.
Harold's death led to the retreat and defeat of most of his army, and William was crowned as king on Christmas Day 1066.