Why did the Normans win the Battle of Hastings?
The battle of Hastings was one of the most famous battles during the middle ages (which resulted with William, Duke of Normandy to be crowned King), but was also one of the bloodiest, where many men as well as horses were slaughtered. The battle was against William, Duke of Normandy and Harold Godwinson. William believed he should gain heir to the throne ever since the late King Edward promised him to be King(before his death) in return for a few of William's soldiers whilst facing a rebellion in 1051(which was caused by Harold Godwinson). Harold Godwinson however felt strongly that he should be crowned King as he had the best claim to the throne since he was related to Edward the confessor as his brother-in-law. Edward had told him on his death bed that he commends all kingdom to Harold's protection.
Meanwhile Harald Hardrada, King of the Vikings thought himself as King since he believed that England had been ruled by Vikings for one and a half centuries as from 1010 to 1042, they were all Vikings until King Edward seized the throne. They dwelled against one another and Harald Hardrada was killed by the Saxons on Stamford Bridge, with an arrow in his throat ; the Saxons successfully defeated the Vikings army.Harold Godwinsons army then fought against William during the Battle of Hastings which took place on the 14th October, 1066 at Senlac Hill. William benefited immensely from numerous key strengths of both himself and his forces - one of them being that he not only had his men on foot, but on horse back which gave them the slight advantage of height.
In addition, William had a good supply of arrows and well trained, fully experienced soldiers that could possibly outrun the Saxons. However, the Norman strengths weren't the sole reason as to why William was capable to triumph over the Saxons and win the Battle of Hastings. Williams charities of success were greatly multiplied due to a number of factors linked to the bad luck and failings of Harold Godwinson. One of the factors included Harolds weakness - he had just conquered Harald Hardrada during the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which resulted with many of his men either killed or injured and them immediately had to fight William. The Normans were to benefit from Harolds failings in the actual battle of Hastings.
The Battle of Hastings started at approximately 9am on 14th October 1066 on Senlac Hill where the Saxons positioned themselves waiting for the Normans to strike. The Normans prepared to attack, but unfortunately were repelled and received many an encouraging word from William, who successfully inspired his men. The cavalry pretended to retreat, a clever scheme that the Saxons fell for as they chased after them losing the advantage of height as they fought upon level ground and were slaughtered. It is still unclear how Harold Godwinson died - Historians debate whether he was pierced in the eye with an arrow or stabbed. William, Duke of Normands was crowned King on Christmas day and was then recognized as William the Conqueror.
As mentioned previously, both the Norman strengths and Harold Godwinson's bad luck as well as failings assisted the Normans greatly in their success over defeating the Saxons. Nevertheless, I strongly and personally believe that Harold's misfortune and failings played more of a major role in triumphing over the Saxons than the Norman strengths. This is because although the preparation and training of the Norman's benefited them a great deal, Harold Godwinsons misfortune struck when his forces had just dwelled against Harald Hardrada during 'The Battle of Stamford Bridge' - henceforth Harold's forces returned weary, injured and few killed and then had to face yet another battle against William who hadn't fought previously and whose army then took advantage of the good planning and skills they had acquired before to defeat the Saxons. Had the Saxons not fought previously against Harald Hardrada, the Normans would have faced a battle that may have ended quite differently.
The battle of Hastings was one of the most famous battles during the middle ages (which resulted with William, Duke of Normandy to be crowned King), but was also one of the bloodiest, where many men as well as horses were slaughtered. The battle was against William, Duke of Normandy and Harold Godwinson. William believed he should gain heir to the throne ever since the late King Edward promised him to be King(before his death) in return for a few of William's soldiers whilst facing a rebellion in 1051(which was caused by Harold Godwinson). Harold Godwinson however felt strongly that he should be crowned King as he had the best claim to the throne since he was related to Edward the confessor as his brother-in-law. Edward had told him on his death bed that he commends all kingdom to Harold's protection.
The Battle of Hastings started at approximately 9am on 14th October 1066 on Senlac Hill where the Saxons positioned themselves waiting for the Normans to strike. The Normans prepared to attack, but unfortunately were repelled and received many an encouraging word from William, who successfully inspired his men. The cavalry pretended to retreat, a clever scheme that the Saxons fell for as they chased after them losing the advantage of height as they fought upon level ground and were slaughtered. It is still unclear how Harold Godwinson died - Historians debate whether he was pierced in the eye with an arrow or stabbed. William, Duke of Normands was crowned King on Christmas day and was then recognized as William the Conqueror.
As mentioned previously, both the Norman strengths and Harold Godwinson's bad luck as well as failings assisted the Normans greatly in their success over defeating the Saxons. Nevertheless, I strongly and personally believe that Harold's misfortune and failings played more of a major role in triumphing over the Saxons than the Norman strengths. This is because although the preparation and training of the Norman's benefited them a great deal, Harold Godwinsons misfortune struck when his forces had just dwelled against Harald Hardrada during 'The Battle of Stamford Bridge' - henceforth Harold's forces returned weary, injured and few killed and then had to face yet another battle against William who hadn't fought previously and whose army then took advantage of the good planning and skills they had acquired before to defeat the Saxons. Had the Saxons not fought previously against Harald Hardrada, the Normans would have faced a battle that may have ended quite differently.
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