The Battle of Hastings 1066
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The Battle of Hastings 1066
Events leading up to battle:
The battle of Hastings began in January 1066 when Edward the Confessor had died. Before his death on his death bed, he had offered the English crown to Harold Godwinson. Harold was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Meanwhile, in Norway, William of Normandy was setting out on claiming the English crown for himself. This was because, despite his pre-eminent position, he required the active co-operation of his nobles for the great venture he was planning this venture was to invade England and become the English king. However, William couldn’t simply demand from his nobles, he had to try and convince them of his case. Therefore, he needed to show all that followed him that his claim to the English throne had a lawful reason and he had God on his side. So, eventually when he decided on invasion, he had to ensure his followers that he had strong support. He even went to the trouble of sending an envoy to the pope, asking for his blessing. After William had planned the invasion, he did not move immediately. He cleverly only began plans for an invasion after Tostig had arrived whom looked for support against Harold by projecting an invasion of Northumbria. This was what William had been waiting for, with Harold occupied in the North, William now could invade the south.
In July 1066, William's invasion fleet moved north to Dives, but still it did not cross the Channel. The sources say that the leader was waiting for fair weather, but he may equally have been awaiting news that Tostig had made his move. Either way, it was a perfect strategy.
On 20 September 1066, Harald Hardrada and Tostig sailed up the Ouse, with more than 10,000 men in 200 longships, to launch their long-awaited invasion of Northumbria. Harold reacted by scraping together a scratch force of his own, made up largely of his own ‘thegns’. He raced north, calling up all the shire levies he could muster on the way. In four days he marched 180 miles -...
Events leading up to battle:
The battle of Hastings began in January 1066 when Edward the Confessor had died. Before his death on his death bed, he had offered the English crown to Harold Godwinson. Harold was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Meanwhile, in Norway, William of Normandy was setting out on claiming the English crown for himself. This was because, despite his pre-eminent position, he required the active co-operation of his nobles for the great venture he was planning this venture was to invade England and become the English king. However, William couldn’t simply demand from his nobles, he had to try and convince them of his case. Therefore, he needed to show all that followed him that his claim to the English throne had a lawful reason and he had God on his side. So, eventually when he decided on invasion, he had to ensure his followers that he had strong support. He even went to the trouble of sending an envoy to the pope, asking for his blessing. After William had planned the invasion, he did not move immediately. He cleverly only began plans for an invasion after Tostig had arrived whom looked for support against Harold by projecting an invasion of Northumbria. This was what William had been waiting for, with Harold occupied in the North, William now could invade the south.
In July 1066, William's invasion fleet moved north to Dives, but still it did not cross the Channel. The sources say that the leader was waiting for fair weather, but he may equally have been awaiting news that Tostig had made his move. Either way, it was a perfect strategy.
On 20 September 1066, Harald Hardrada and Tostig sailed up the Ouse, with more than 10,000 men in 200 longships, to launch their long-awaited invasion of Northumbria. Harold reacted by scraping together a scratch force of his own, made up largely of his own ‘thegns’. He raced north, calling up all the shire levies he could muster on the way. In four days he marched 180 miles -...