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Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060 to 66
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In 1066 three men fought for the English crown. By the end of the year, William of Normandy was king.
Anglo-Saxon England
The king was powerful: he made laws, led the army and issued coins. He was advised by the Witan.
Earls ran huge earldoms; the Godwin family (earls of Wessex) were the most powerful. Shires were run by sheriffs. The fyrd was the army of ordinary freemen.
Society: king, earls, thegns, ceorls (peasants) and slaves. The Church was very influential.
Harold Godwinson became Earl of Wessex in 1053. In 1065 he agreed to the exile of his brother Tostig after the Northumbrians rebelled.
Earls ran huge earldoms; the Godwin family (earls of Wessex) were the most powerful. Shires were run by sheriffs. The fyrd was the army of ordinary freemen.
Society: king, earls, thegns, ceorls (peasants) and slaves. The Church was very influential.
Harold Godwinson became Earl of Wessex in 1053. In 1065 he agreed to the exile of his brother Tostig after the Northumbrians rebelled.
The succession crisis
Edward the Confessor died on 5 January 1066. The Witan chose Harold Godwinson, crowned the next day.
Rivals: William of Normandy (said Edward had promised him the throne, and that Harold had sworn an oath to support him in 1064); Harald Hardrada of Norway (claim from an earlier Viking agreement); Edgar the Aethling (a blood relative, but young).
Rivals: William of Normandy (said Edward had promised him the throne, and that Harold had sworn an oath to support him in 1064); Harald Hardrada of Norway (claim from an earlier Viking agreement); Edgar the Aethling (a blood relative, but young).
Hastings
Harold's shield wall held the ridge for hours. William used archers, infantry and cavalry, and feigned retreats drew English soldiers off the ridge.
Reasons for William's victory: Harold's army was tired after Stamford Bridge and a forced march south; Harold did not wait for more troops; William was well prepared, used tactics flexibly and had luck with the wind.
Reasons for William's victory: Harold's army was tired after Stamford Bridge and a forced march south; Harold did not wait for more troops; William was well prepared, used tactics flexibly and had luck with the wind.
Explain why William won the Battle of Hastings.
- Harold's army was tired from Stamford Bridge and the march south.
- William's feigned retreats broke up the shield wall.
- William's mix of archers, infantry and cavalry was flexible.
- Harold was killed, which ended English resistance.
Answer: Harold's tired army, William's tactics and leadership, and Harold's death.
Anglo-Saxon government: king, Witan, earls, sheriffs, fyrd. Edward died 5 January 1066. Claimants: Harold, William, Hardrada, Edgar. Fulford, Stamford Bridge, Hastings (14 October 1066).
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