The fall of an Anglo saxon kingdom

Start writing...Here is a clear, detailed, narrative-style explanation of how William the Conqueror defeated King Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, including context, troop movements, tactics, turning points, and consequences.


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Battle of Hastings (14 October 1066): How William Defeated Harold

1. Background: Why They Fought

When the English king Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 with no heir, three men claimed the English throne:

1. Harold Godwinson – the most powerful English noble, chosen by the Witan (English council).


2. William, Duke of Normandy – claimed Edward promised him the throne years earlier; also said Harold swore an oath to support William.


3. Harald Hardrada, King of Norway – claimed a prior agreement between earlier rulers gave him a right.



Harold Godwinson became king, but both Harald Hardrada and William prepared invasions.

Harold vs. the Vikings

Before facing William, Harold had to march his army north to fight Hardrada:

25 September 1066 – Battle of Stamford Bridge:
Harold defeated and killed Hardrada and Harold’s own traitorous brother Tostig.
But: the victory exhausted Harold’s army, which then had to march 260 miles south upon hearing that William had landed at Pevensey on 28 September.



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2. The Armies at Hastings

Harold’s English Army

Possibly 7,000–8,000 men

Strongest unit: Housecarls – elite axe-wielding warriors

Rest: Fyrd – local levies, less trained

Defensive strength: a solid shield wall at the top of Senlac Hill


William’s Norman Army

Roughly 7,000–8,000, but more balanced:

Infantry

Archers

Cavalry (knights) – the decisive advantage

Mixed force: Normans, Bretons, and Flemish troops


Terrain:
Harold held the high ground on a ridge; William would have to attack uphill.


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3. The Battle Begins (9 a.m., 14 Oct 1066)

William Opens with Archers

William began by sending archers uphill, but:

Shooting uphill reduced range and penetration.

The English shield wall blocked most arrows.


Norman Infantry Assault

William’s infantry charged next:

They struggled to break the English line.

Heavy Anglo-Saxon axes cut down many attackers.


Cavalry Charges

William sent in his knights, but charging uphill into a solid shield wall was difficult.


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4. Crisis for William: Rumor of His Death

On the Norman left flank, the Breton troops broke and fled.

Some English fyrdmen chased them downhill.

A rumor spread that William had been killed, causing panic.


To rally his men, William lifted his helmet and showed his face, shouting he was alive.
This moment saved the battle for the Normans.


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5. William Adopts a New Strategy: Feigned Retreats

Recognizing the English tendency to pursue, William ordered organized feigned retreats:

1. Norman units pretended to flee.


2. Impetuous English troops chased them.


3. The Normans turned on them once the English were in the open.



These tactics gradually:

Weakened the English line

Killed many experienced housecarls

Broke the cohesion of the shield wall



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6. The Turning Point: Harold’s Death

By late afternoon, the English line was thinning.

William ordered:

A mass arrow volley, angled high to arc over shields

A renewed infantry and cavalry assault


During this phase:

Harold was struck—traditionally by an arrow in the eye, though some sources suggest he was cut down by Norman knights

His brothers, Gyrth and Leofwine, also died


With their leaders gone, the English line collapsed.


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7. English Rout & Norman Victory

As dusk approached:

Remaining English forces fled into the nearby woods

Norman cavalry pursued, killing many


William controlled the field—a decisive victory.


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8. Aftermath: William Becomes King

William marched to London, subduing resistance.

On Christmas Day 1066, he was crowned William I of England, known later as William the Conqueror.


His victory transformed England:

Long-Term Consequences

Norman French replaced Anglo-Saxon as the language of the elite.

Castles spread across England (e.g., Tower of London).

Anglo-Saxon nobility was replaced by Norman lords.

England became strongly connected to continental Europe.



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Summary in One Sentence

William won because he had a more flexible army, used cavalry and archers effectively, exploited English mistakes, and struck decisively when Harold and his key commanders were killed.


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If you’d like,

Here are strong, polished title and subtitle options you can use for your Battle of Hastings piece.
Choose the tone you prefer—epic, academic, dramatic, or simple.


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Between William of Normandy and King Harold on Senlac Hill