1066 - Key Events
Death of Edward the Confessor
Battle for the throne - Harold G, William Duke of Normandy, Harald Hardrada
Multiple battles - most significant = Battle of Hastings
William was a good leader
He had fully trained, professional soldiers - foot soldiers, archers, cavalry
He was able to successfully lead the troops into battle and won!
He used the feigned retreat effectively
Harold made mistakes
Feel for the feigned retreat - this meaning that he weakened the strong shield wall
He left the top of Senlac Hill and lost the height advantage
He used the Fyrd as the main body of his army - this was traditional but they weren't trained soldiers
Harold was unlucky
his army fought 3 big battles within 3 weeks of each other
William landed in England at the worst possible time (immediately after the Battle of Stamford Bridge
William and his Cavalry were effective in running the feigned retreat - it isn't Harold's fault that he was tricked.
Was it inevitable that William won the Battle of Hastings?
