The battle of Hastings

What did Lanfranc stress in the Norman Case set out before Pope Alexander?

Harold's perjury (breaking the oath) and the moral corruption of the English church

What date was the Battle of Hastings?

14th October 1066

What did Pope Alexander send William?

His papal banner as support

What significant religious support did William have?

Support of the Head of Church

How did William win the support of Norman nobles?

Won support through the force of personality and promise of great rewards

Who did the Mercenary soldiers consist of?

Soldiers from outside Normandy and especially Brittany

How many men did William have in troops?

8-10,000

How many war horses did William have?

2000

What date did the Normans set sail for the 70 mile journey across the channel?

28th September 1066

Why was it risky for William to keep his troops waiting for too long?

A long delay would open up problems with provisioning and maintaining morale, at worst the Normans would be blockaded in the Hastings peninsula by Saxon fleet in the Hastings peninsula

How much land did Harold cover in 8 days?

305km

Why were Harold's troops smaller than they should have been?

Died in the viking battles, haste to reach the south coast meant men could not be gathered at official army points

How many men were on each side of the battle?

approx. 8-10,000

What disadvantages did Harold's troops have when they arrived?

Troops were exhausted from the march and reinforcements were still on the way

What obligation did Harold have to Wessex?

An emotional obligation and a historical attachment

What was the importance of Wessex to England?

Wealthiest and closest earldom to London

What tactics did Harold want to employ that required speed?

Stamford Bridge style surprise attack and to trap William in the Hastings peninsula

What did the Norman troops have that the Saxons severely lacked?

Archers

How did the Saxon and Norman troops differ in military skill?

Majority of Normans were professionally trained soldiers and consisted of paid mercenaries, the Saxon army consisted mostly of ill-trained peasants with some housecarls

What did the knights fight on and wield?

Horseback and and a couched lance

What were the Normands organised into that made it easier to command?

Small units

Who was placed at the front of Harold's infantry?

Housecarls and thegns with the fyrdmen behind

Who was placed at the front of William's army?

Archers and crossbowmen

Who was placed at the back of William's army behind the infantry?

Knights on horses

What superior tactic did the Normans use?

Feigned retreat

Why do some historians think that the first Norman use of feigned retreat was not deliberate?

It was first used by the Britons, in the past William had campaigned in Brittany, unlikely that they would be the most loyal

What was the Saxon formation used?

Essentially one large mass formed into a shield wall

What was the Saxon's main tactic?

Hold the wall as defenders in order to regroup at night