Page 60 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

58 DARK AGES INVASION FORCE

WMEN 500–1500 THE BATTLE

OF HASTINGS

The victory of William of Normandy over the Anglo-Saxon

was a turning point in English history. It was a close-fought
AND BO King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066
battle in which the Anglo-Saxons narrowly failed to hold
their ground against Norman cavalry and bowmen.

KNIGHTS The death of Anglo-Saxon King but resolute. They would fight on
Edward the Confessor in January 1066 foot, clustered together in close
triggered a succession struggle. Harold formation, wielding two-handed
axes or spears and depending on the
Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, was
crowned king, but his right to the
protection of their shields and armor.
throne was contested by his brother
and cavalry at his disposal: they would
Tostig and by William, Duke of William had a mixed force of infantry
Normandy. William immediately have to attack uphill, but hoped to
began assembling an invasion fleet break up the tightknit Anglo-Saxon
at Dives-sur-Mer on the Normandy formation with the impact of their
coast. By August he was ready to arrows and cavalry charges.
sail, but was prevented by the winds,
which fortunately worked in his THE LUCK OF THE DAY
favor. Having stood ready to face an The Norman bowmen opened the
invasion all summer, Harold’s peasant battle, attempting to weaken
army, the fyrd, had to be released to the enemy with their mix of simple
gather the harvest. Meanwhile Tostig bows and a few crossbows. Then the
had sought the aid of King Harald armored infantry advanced uphill,
Hardrada of Norway, and in September the horsemen following behind.
Harald led his own invasion force But the Anglo-Saxons stood firm as
across the North Sea. With his personal the Normans assailed their shield wall,
troops, the housecarls, and hastily bringing the attack to a halt. William
raised levies, Harold marched north to was in the heart of the action. When
defeat Harald at the Battle of Stamford some of his men began to fall back in
Bridge. This left England’s southern disarray, the Norman leader reportedly
coast undefended. pulled off his helmet to show his face
and called out for them to renew their
NORMAN INVASION efforts. Eventually, in the turmoil of
William sailed across the Channel, combat, some Anglo-Saxons were
his soldiers and horses packed into tempted to rush forward in pursuit
700 vessels, and landed unopposed where they saw Normans apparently
at Pevensey in Sussex. He advanced retreating. They were cut down in a
along the coast to Hastings, while Norman counterattack. As the Anglo-
Harold hurried his army southward. Saxon forces weakened and lost
On October 13, William learned formation, Norman horsemen were
that the Anglo-Saxons were nearby, able to penetrate their ranks, wreaking
and the following morning he led havoc. The Anglo-Saxon housecarls
his army out to meet them. pulled back in a tightening circle
The strength of both forces is around their king. Norman arrows
uncertain—estimates vary from a continued to rain down on them and,
few thousand to tens of thousands tradition has it, Harold was among
on each side. Harold had taken up their victims. He was certainly killed
a strong defensive position on top of (whether by an arrow in the eye, or
Senlac Ridge. His men were exhausted not, is disputed), and by the day’s
after the long journey from the north, end the Normans held the field.