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 and marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest of England.
King Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066 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 on 28 September 1066.
Harold marched south swiftly to gather forces and confront William.
The exact numbers present at the battle are unknown, but the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers, while the invading force was split equally between cavalry, archers, and infantry.
The battle lasted from about 9 am to dusk, and Harold's 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.

Description

Test your knowledge of one of the most pivotal moments in English history with our Battle of Hastings quiz. From the succession struggle to the decisive victory of William, Duke of Normandy, this quiz will challenge your understanding of the events leading up to and during the battle. See if you can recall key details about the armies involved, the battle tactics employed, and the aftermath that ultimately led to the Norman Conquest of England.