Battles and Lead Up To Hastings

• Harold's Coronation

  • 6th Jan 1066
  • very quick
  • used 'cunning force' to take throne
• Fulford Gate - 20th Sep 1066


  • Tostig supported Hardrada and assembled around 10,000 and sailed to north east England
  • Harold was fearing William attacking from the south, so had his troops stationed there
  • English resistance of earls Edwin and Morcar
  • victory for Hardrada, captured York and waited a Stamford for the hostages
• Stamford Bridge - 25th Sep 1066


  • Harold assembled 15,000 including 3,000 housecarls
  • marched 185 miles in 4 days
  • Vikings caught off guard, severe losses
  • news of William's invasion, had to march back south
• Army Size

  • both around 6-7000 men
  • Normans had calvary, foot soldiers and archers
  • Saxons had housecarls, thegns, fyrds
• Battlefield Position

  • Saxons on hill, dense formation
  • Normans had to fight upwards, hand to hand combat
  • archers shoot over top, calvary charge
• Leadership and Tactics

  • William boosted morale, was on horseback, Papal Banner
  • Normans had a pre-fabricated castle
  • Normans feigned retreat, organised troops
  • Harold used shield wall, troops were weary
  • Normans used archers to attack wall