In 1066, the Battle of Hastings took place in England between the Norman French and the English Anglo-Saxons. This battle is one of the most significant events in English history. The parties involved were Harold Godwinson, who claimed the throne after the death of King Edward the Confessor, and Duke William of Normandy (also known as William the Bastard), who sought to assert his right to the English crown.
Duke William (1028-1087) was the illegitimate son of Robert, who was also the Duke of Normandy, born to Herleva. This is why he is also known in history as William the Bastard.
The event that led to the Battle of Hastings was the death of King Edward the Confessor in January 1066. With King Edward passing away without a direct heir, two contenders emerged for the throne, leading to the Battle of Hastings. In late 1065, King Edward fell gravely ill and could not communicate his choice for the successor. After his passing, a council of wise men known as the Witengemot decided that Harold Godwinson, the son of the powerful Earl Godwin and a close associate of King Edward, should be the new King of England. On January 6, 1066, Harold Godwinson was crowned as the King of England.
Meanwhile, Duke William of Normandy, who held control over the shores of France, became infuriated upon hearing this news. He believed that King Edward had promised him the English throne, as they were cousins, and that he had a rightful claim to it. Harold, on the other hand, asserted that King Edward had changed his mind on his deathbed and named Harold as the successor. William, confident in both the promised succession and his familial connection with Edward, decided to invade England. He spent approximately seven months in Normandy, amassing an army, primarily consisting of paid mercenaries, and constructing about 700 ships, while waiting for favorable weather conditions.
In the midst of this, another claimant to the throne emerged in the form of Harald Sigurdsson (Hardrada) of Norway. Harald, accompanied by his Viking army, set out to seize the English throne. However, Harold Godwinson and his forces defeated the Vikings in the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066, eliminating this threat.
Duke William of Normandy set sail for England with his army of around 7,000 soldiers once the weather conditions improved in October. The fleet that set sail on September 12, 1066, landed at Pevensey on the coast of East Sussex on September 28, 1066. Upon learning of this, Harold moved to the vicinity of Hastings in East Sussex. While Harold's Anglo-Saxon army consisted mostly of infantry, William's army was primarily composed of mounted cavalry. Both armies were roughly equal in strength and numbers, but Harold's forces were fatigued from the long journey and recent battle.
Harold positioned his army at Senlac Hill, a tactically advantageous point. William knew he needed to lure the Anglo-Saxons down from the hill. The Norman army initially launched a cavalry attack on Senlac Hill. The Anglo-Saxons repelled this assault and withdrew. Boosted by their success, the Anglo-Saxons grew overconfident. However, William had an intriguing plan in mind. He employed the Feigned Retreat tactic, a significant strategy in our history as well. The Norman cavalry suddenly charged at the Anglo-Saxons. Just as they approached halfway, the cavalry pulled back. The Anglo-Saxons, thinking the Normans were retreating in fear, pursued them. The defensive formation of the Anglo-Saxons was broken, and they were caught off guard by the second Norman attack descending from the dominating hill. Perplexed and disoriented, the Anglo-Saxons were defeated in the Battle of Hastings. Harold Godwinson met his end on the battlefield, either with an arrow to his eye or, according to some historical accounts, killed and dismembered by four Norman knights.
The precise date of the Battle of Hastings is October 14, 1066. It holds great significance in English history, marking the Norman Conquest of England. Following the battle, William, with his victorious army, quickly extended his rule over all of Britain within a few years. He came to be known as William the Conqueror. After the Battle of Hastings, French dominance commenced in the British Isles. This marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule, with Harold Godwinson being the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. The era of English monarchs who did not speak English began with Norman rule over the island.
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