Week 30 Part 3 - Reasons for William's Victory PDF

To explain why William won at the Battle of Hastings. KEY TERMS Luck Brutality Tactics Leadership Motivation Shield Wall Cavalry Rumour Feigned Retreat Standards Discipline Pope Cavalry Scouts Motte and Bailey Mounted Knights You will be abl...

To explain why William won at the Battle of Hastings. KEY TERMS Luck Brutality Tactics Leadership Motivation Shield Wall Cavalry Rumour Feigned Retreat Standards Discipline Pope Cavalry Scouts Motte and Bailey Mounted Knights You will be able to describe the main events at the Battle of Hastings. You will describe how William won and start to explain why. You will explain a variety of clearly organised reasons for William’s victory. You will evaluate the main reason or turning point in the Battle that led to William’s victory.  term P O R T CAVAL SUP k e y k a t each o sides RY Loo t w e d to the attle of P O P E lin k g t he B cide i f OF ROUND dur i n D e gs. to Hastin term links e ey th the k o-Saxons, ngl the A ans or inde ed ARCHERS SHIELD Norm both! BATTLE RLS AXE C A SWORDS H OUSE FYRD CHAINMAIL D R OP TE AR SHIELD FARMIN G SHIELD WALL TOOLS  term P O R T CAVAL SUP k e y k a t each o sides RY Loo t w e d to the attle of P O P E lin k g t he B cide i f OF ROUND dur i n D e gs. to Hastin term links e ey th the k o-Saxons, ngl the A ans or inde ed ARCHERS SHIELD Norm both! BATTLE RLS AXE C A SWORDS H OUSE FYRD CHAINMAIL D R OP TE AR SHIELD FARMIN G SHIELD WALL TOOLS  You will pair up with another student. One of you will be from William’s Norman army, the other will be from Harold’s Anglo-Saxon army. Why do you think your side lost Why do you think your side against William? won? Ẍ What errors were made? ✔ What worked? Ẍ What disadvantages did you have? ✔ What were your good tactics? Ẍ What decisions went wrong? ✔ How was decision making good? Ẍ Why was luck not on your side? ✔ Why was luck on your side? Ẍ Why did your tactics not work? ✔ What advantages did you have? What categories do your reasons fit into? Explain why Harold Godwinson was ‘The main reason for William’s victory at the defeated at the Battle of Hastings. Battle of Hastings was the tactics used by the Normans’. You may use the following in your answer: How far do you agree with this statement? Norman Tactics Stamford Bridge You may use the following to explain your answer: You must also use information of your Mounted Norman Knights own. March from Stamford Bridge You must also use information of your own. ❑ You will be given a worksheet which has a wide variety of reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings. ❑ Look at the categories and decide which of the categories it belongs to. ❑ You can select more than one category if you feel the reasons overlap. ❑ Make sure you clearly present your ideas as you will use these to form your answer to the 16 mark question. In the back of your mind, think about the key ‘Turning Points’ of the battle that made the biggest difference. You can use these in your answer later on. William gave a speech The wind direction and Harold wanted to fight The Anglo-Saxon Harold Godwinson was Harold’s victory at the William hadKEYthe blessing to his troops before the weather conditions William soon as he soldiers had good not in the south when Battle of Stamford of the Pope. Many battle and during it to across the English wanted to show his military training but the Normans landed in Bridge gave him the soldiers joined the remind them that God Channel had to change determination to defend they had very few Pevensey as he was confidence to defeat Norman army with the was on their side but to allow William to England and impress his archers in their army unfortunately having to William. However, he idea of it being a also to remind them of invade. It did this by people as their new compared to William fight the Vikings in the may have been too over religious crusade and the reasons they were 27th September. king. who had many. north at the Battle of confident to fight the that God would reward invading. Stamford Bridge. battle too soon. a victory. The Battle of Hastings The Anglo-Saxon Fyrd Harold was not able to William knew that Despite winning at In the late afternoon, By early afternoon, lasted for over 8 hours were not as well order the Fyrd to stop Harold’s army were on Stamford Bridge, Harold William ordered his William could see that which was a long time disciplined and broke running from the shield their way to Hastings as had lost many of his archers to aim their his tactics to break the for a Medieval battle. the shield wall when wall as he was too far his scouts had spotted experienced Housecarls arrows higher and for shield wall were not they saw the Normans away and he did not them and informed there. It was impossible the cavalry to charge. It working and so he was running away. It was have a horse to travel William beforehand. to replace them at such was a result of this that able to adapt and possible they wanted quickly to stop them. short notice. Harold was killed and change tactics. the left over weapons. William won. In the weeks before, Harold was not able to Historians believe that It is possible that William brought very Harold and his surviving Harold’s Fyrds were William made sure that change his tactic of William used the tactic William used the tactic experienced mounted army had marched effective when throwing troops and horses were depending on the shield of a feigned retreat to of the feigned retreat to knights to form the nearly 400 miles in the rocks and stones from well fed and rested. He wall once it had been bring the Saxon troops bring the Saxon Fyrd cavalry. William had recent days before they the top of the hill. took a risk to build new broken. The shield wall from the top of the hill. from the top of the hill. perhaps 7,500 men with fought at Hastings. However, once in the ships to transport the was a ‘modern’ tactic It was because of this This worked and meant 2,000 horses. Harold There was no time to open, many only had horses which had never but Harold did not have that the Normans could the Saxon shield wall had no cavalry. rest or repair weapons. agricultural tools to use been done before. another plan. break the shield wall. was finally broken. as weapons. William’s soldiers had a If Harold was killed with It is likely that William Harold wanted to take The Fryd were highly KEY mixture of lances, an arrow in his eye, this had around 7,500 men William by surprise by motivated but not as MOTIVATION LEADERSHIP javelins, chainmail, would have been a who were brought in marching straight down trained or experienced bows and arrows, lucky or a chance shot from all over Europe. to Hastings from York as Harold’s Housecarls. TROOPS & WEAPONS PREPARATION maces, swords and from the Norman His troops had a wide without a break. This Harold had to rely on horses. archer and nothing to range of skills and surprise tactic worked the Fryd for most of his CHANCE/LUCK TACTICS do with the other experiences to use. against the Vikings after troop numbers of tactics of William. HAROLD all. around 6,000 OTHER ____________________________ William gave a William was lucky Harold wanted to The Anglo-Saxons Unfortunately, Harold’s victory at William KEY had the motivating speech that the wind show his had very few archers Harold was in the Stamford Bridge blessing of the Pope. to his troops before direction across the determination to in their army north fighting the gave him Many soldiers joined and during the English Channel defend England and compared to Vikings when he confidence. the Norman army battle. changed which impress his people William’s army. heard William had However, he may believing that God allowed him to as their new king. invaded. have been too over would reward them. invade. confident. The Battle of The Anglo-Saxon Harold was not able William knew that Despite winning at William ordered his William knew his Hastings lasted for Fyrd were not as to order the Fyrd to Harold’s army were Stamford Bridge, archers to aim their attempt to break the over 8 hours which disciplined and stop running from on their way to Harold had lost arrows higher and shield wall was not was a long time for a broke the shield wall the shield wall as he Hastings as his many of his for the cavalry to working and so he Medieval battle. when they saw the was too far away. scouts had spotted experienced charge. It then that was able to adapt Normans running them and told Housecarls there. Harold was killed. and change tactics. away. William. William made sure The use of the shield William tactic was a It was only when the William brought Harold and his Many of Harold’s troops and horses wall was a modern feigned retreat to shield wall was experienced surviving army had Fyrds only had were fed & rested. and effective tactic bring the Saxon broken that the mounted knights. marched nearly 400 agricultural tools to He built ships and but it was the only troops from the top Normans could William had perhaps miles in the days use as weapons transported horses one Harold could of the hill. Because attack and kill the 7,500 men with before Hastings. against the Norman which had never use. of this the he broke Saxon soldiers. 2,000 horses. Harold There was no time army. been done before. the shield wall. had no cavalry. to rest. William’s soldiers If Harold was killed William had around Harold wanted to The Fryd were highly KEY had a mixture of with an arrow in his 7,500 men from all take William by motivated but not as LEADERSHIP MOTIVATION lances, javelins, eye, this would have over Europe. His surprise by marching trained or been a lucky or a troops had a wide experienced as the PREPARATION TROOPS & WEAPONS chainmail, bows and straight down to arrows, maces, chance shot from range of skills and Hastings from York Housecarls. Harold’s CHANCE/LUCK TACTICS swords and horses. the Norman archer. experience. without a break or troops numbered HAROLD rest. around 6,000 OTHER ____________________________  Reasons for William’s Victory It was the failings of Harold rather than the actions of William that led to William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings. How far do you agree with this statement? It gives you a statement which you You are free to have your own have to agree or disagree with. opinion as long as you explain it and Imagine this is someone’s opinion. argue why. ‘The main reason for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings was the tactics used by the But because it mentions Norman Normans’. tactics, you are expected to explain In other words, yes – this as a reason – even if it’s not your Norman tactics can be one own ‘main reason’. How far do you agree with this reason but what is the statement? other side of the argument? The first bullet point will always try What are other reasons? to help you with explaining the You may use the following to reason in the statement explain your answer: By all means use these to Mounted Norman Knights The second bullet point will always help BUT if you do not March from Stamford Bridge try to help you explain another understand them, use other argument. reasons of your own. You must also use information of YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE What are your own ideas about THEM! your own. the question and what could other reasons be? Show off knowledge.  This is the main reason in the statement so explain this first. ‘The main reason for William’s victory at PARAGRAPH ONE the Battle of Hastings was the tactics POINT: It can be argued that it was the tactics used by the Normans Don’t just describe the tactics used by the Normans’. – actually say WHY they that led to William’s victory at Hastings. worked. How far do you agree with this EVIDENCE: For example………… statement? EXPLAIN: This led to the victory because…… which meant Aim to refer to more than one that…..which led to… tactic/reason to get depth. You may use the following to explain your PARAGRAPH TWO Don’t just describe the answer: POINT: However, other reasons can explain William’s victory at the preparations from each side, Mounted Norman Knights explain how they led to March from Stamford Bridge Battle of Hastings such as Harold’s poor preparation for the battle. William’s victory. EVIDENCE: For example………… You must also use information of your EXPLAIN: This led to the victory because…… which meant own. that…..which led to… Now explain other reasons (not just one) why William PARAGRAPH THREE won. ✔ Make sure your ‘explain’ part of POINT: It can also be argued that…………….was a reason for the paragraph is the longest. William’s victory. EVIDENCE: For example………… The examiners want to read a ✔ Use explanation phrases such as strong argument that one ‘because’, ‘this meant that’. EXPLAIN: This led to the victory because…… which meant reason was more important ✔ Use specific historical key terms that…..which led to… than another. Imagine you and facts to show off knowledge. have to convince another FINAL JUDGEMENT ✔ State what your argument is and Argue your case for the most important reason. What makes it person about why your main reason is better than the make sure you stick to it!!! more important that other reasons? Was there a ‘Turning Point’ in other reasons. Think about ✔ Convince the examiner that your the battle that made the biggest difference? Refer back to the the turning points. argument is right. question where possible.  LESSON 10 To explain the reasons for William’s Victory at the Battle of Hastings. SHEET 1 INTRODUCTION: It is vital that you not only understand the events of the Battle of Hastings but you are able to clearly explain a variety of reasons why William won and Harold was defeated. To do this, it is essential that you can categorise the reasons but also think about the weight of each reason. Why did William win and what were the most significant reasons for this? Was it the actions of William or the failure of Harold? Harold’s Leadership Harold’s Preparation before the battle It was clear that Harold had the respect and authority of his men after they were prepared After Harold realised William had invaded, he marched south and only paused briefly to travel such distances without rest and food for him. in London to allow his men to briefly rest and collect more soldiers. Some of the Fryd were not as disciplined as the Housecarls and took it upon themselves to Harold had little time to prepare his troops fully as they had just fought in York. KEY TERMS: chase after the Norman army when they saw them fleeing. Harold was not able to do Harold’s men were not fully fit after the battle of Stamford Bridge, weapons needed anything about this as he was too far away at this point and had no horse to travel quickly repairing or replacing and his men needed their energy back/. People to stop them. Harold had called for an army to defend England as early as May. This shows that he ❑ Harold Godwinson was prepared but it also meant that these men had to be fed and watered throughout Some historians believe that Harold did not have to rush down to the south to fight William ❑ William of Normandy as another option could have been to stay in London and wait for William to come to him. this time. Some of the men got bored and some had to return to harvest their crops. Places ❑ Caldbeck Hill Harold’s Tactics Harold’s Army and weapons ❑ Pevensy Beach Harold aimed to march back down from Stamford Harold’s army had marched 190 miles north, fought at the Battle of Terms Bridge to surprise William (like he had successfully Stamford Bridge and then marched 190 miles down within 3 weeks. ❑ Shield Wall done against the Vikings). It would also prove to his It is likely that Harold had around 6,000 men at the Battle of ❑ Feigned retreat men that he was keen to protect the country from Hastings. ❑ Norman Knights invasion. Many soldiers from the northern Earldoms of Mercia and ❑ Cavalry Harold formed his Housecarls at the top of the hill with Northumbria had been killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. ❑ Housecarls woods and marshland either side so William’s men The Housecarls were experienced soldiers fighting with battle axes could not outflank him. and swords. ❑ Tactics The Housecarls at the top of the hill were ordered to The Fyrd had some military training and had javelins, swords, bows ❑ Archers use the shield wall tactic with the less experienced and axes – but there were few archers. ❑ Horsemanship thegns and fyrd behind them. This was a ‘modern’ and The Fyrd were not as disciplined as the Housecarls. ❑ Discipline effective tactic which had worked at Stamford Bridge. Some of the Fyrd did not have good quality weapons and had to rely ❑ Fyrd Harold would have known that shield walls were Harold’s Motivation on their own agricultural tools. One theory about why they left the ❑ Foot soldiers effective against archers and it was clear that William Harold had won a clear victory at the Battle of security of the shield wall on the hill was so they could run down ❑ Leadership had many archers in his ranks. Stamford Bridge which gave him the and collect any Norman weapons and armour that had been left. ❑ Outflank Early in the battle the shield wall proved to be highly confidence (maybe overconfidence) and his Harold did not have a wide range of troops and so the tactics he ❑ Brutality effective as the Normans struggled to attack as long as troops the morale to fight against William. could use were limited. ❑ Luck (God’s will) Harold stayed on top of the hill. Harold was keen to prove himself as the new The battle lasted around 8 hours which was a long time. The Harold made sure he had height advantage at the start Norman army would have had more fitness and strength compared ❑ Crusade King of England as he had only been crowned of the battle and it was difficult for William’s archers in January. He needed to prove he could to the already tired Saxon army. ❑ Pillaged and cavalry to attack up hill. protect his country and his people. ❑ Scouts  LESSON 10 To explain the reasons for William’s Victory at the Battle of Hastings. SHEET 2 William’s Leadership Williams Preparation before the battle. After arriving in England and with Harold still on his way south, William Over the months before the invasion, William built ships strong enough to carry enough men and war ordered his men to plunder and pillage the local area. This frightened the horses. The transport of war horses on this scale had never been done before. locals but also provoked Harold into an early battle. During the months before the invasion, while William was waiting for the wind to change direction, he It is believed that William gave a speech to his men before the battle, kept his men and horses well fed. He needed to organise 13 tonnes of grain and 13 tonnes of hay reminding them of God’s support and their reasons for fighting. every day just for the 2,000 horses. In the late afternoon, William spoke with and rallied his troops again for a Transporting his men and war horses showed that William was prepared to take risks in his invasion. final push. He ordered his archers to fire the arrows higher and his cavalry After landing at Pevensy, William was able to march his army inland ready to prepare for battle. charged. He also ordered a group of Normans to focus their efforts on killing After reaching England, William ordered his men to build a basic motte and bailey castle to protect KEY TERMS: Harold, whose position on the battlefield was shown by a large banner. them. These castles had been pre-made in Normandy and brought over in a way which they could be People William’s scouts had told him that the Saxon army were on their way down fitted together quickly. ❑ Harold Godwinson from London to attack and so he could better prepare and order his men for William’s horses were very effective once the shield wall had started to break as his mounted knights ❑ William of Normandy battle. could attack. Places ❑ Caldbeck Hill William’s army and weapons William’s Tactics ❑ Pevensy Beach It is likely that William had around 7,500 men After arriving in England and with Harold still on his way south, William ordered his men Terms William’s army was not just Norman soldiers. William also had the to plunder and pillage the local area. This frightened the locals but also provoked ❑ Shield Wall support of Bretons with soldiers from France, Picardy and Flanders. Harold into an early battle. Some historians believe this was a tactic of William’s to be as ❑ Feigned retreat William had a wide range of troops and weapons and so could use a brutal as possible to encourage Harold into battle and intimidate the Saxon people. variety of tactics throughout the battle. It was clear that William needed another tactic after his cavalry struggled to attack the ❑ Norman Knights William brought many well trained and experienced knights on Saxon army in muddy and slippery conditions up the hill. William was able to adapt. ❑ Cavalry horseback with him which could provide height, speed and power. Many believe that in the afternoon, William ordered his men to pretend to run away. ❑ Housecarls Harold had no cavalry. This was called a feigned retreat. This would encourage more of the ill-disciplined Fryd ❑ Tactics More of William’s men were professional, full time soldiers. to break the shield wall at the top of the hill. The shield wall became weaker in the late ❑ Archers William’s soldiers had a mixture of lances, javelins, chainmail, bows afternoon which gave William an opportunity to attack and win before sunset. ❑ Horsemanship and arrows, maces and swords. William’s final tactic of ordering the archers to aim high and the cavalry to charge ❑ Discipline resulted in the death of Harold. He was either shot in the eye or brought down by a ❑ Fyrd William’s motivation knight’s sword during a cavalry attack. ❑ Foot soldiers William had the blessing of the Pope after it was believed Harold had ❑ Leadership broken the sacred oath that promised William the crown of England. Chance/Luck/’God’s Will’. ❑ Outflank The Pope’s support meant that William could persuade more Some historians argue that the battle could have easily changed outcome if an arrow had landed in William’s eye or William was killed. Perhaps the outcome was more luck. ❑ Brutality Normans to fight as the invasion was like a holy crude which Perhaps is was simply luck on William’s part that Harald Hardrada had invaded in the north and forced ❑ Luck (God’s will) promised a reward from God. William made sure he held the papal banner during the battle which Harold to fight. If this had not happened, Harold’s army would have been in a far better condition. ❑ Crusade The wind direct had to change in order for William to sail to England when he did. The weather could not be reminded the Norman troops of God’s backing. ❑ Pillaged predicted and so this can be seen as an ‘act of God’ and just lucky timing. ❑ Scouts