chapter 2- military aspects

• describe the situation in France

  • William had conquered the neighbouring area of Normandy
  • king of France was only 14 so did not present a threat to William
  • with no real threat he began to look across the English channel
• how did William prepare toget across the channel ?

  • keep men and fleet in good condition
  • stationed at saint-valery-sur-somme
• how did william prepare to build an army ?

  • recruit men from Western Europe
  • many were willing to fight under the papal banner
  • had a force of 8000
• how did William prepare to build a fleet ?

  • spent a fortune building a fleet
  • flat bottomed boats for easier transport
  • flat pack castles
• how did william prepare by having the support of God ?

  • secured the support of the pope
  • persuaded the pope that he would reform the English church
  • marched behind the papal banner
• describe the battle of fulford gate ?

  • Hadrada and 7000 Vikings were joined by tostig
  • English were commanded by Edwin and morcar
  • initial English attack took the Viking by surprise
  • Edwin and morcar were defeated
  • Hadrada was victorious and the earls fled
• describe the battle of Stamford bridge

  • loss at fulford gate meant that godwinson had to move quickly
  • Vikings were scattered and unprepared
  • Hadrada and Tostig were killed
  • 3 days later Williams fleet reached England
• how did the Saxons prepare the army for hasting ?

  • had around 7000 men mostly fyrd and thegn
  • were exhausted from previous battles
• how did the Saxons prepare weaponry for Hastings ?

  • double handed axes
  • circular shields
  • farming equipment
• what were the Saxons tactics for Hastings ?

  shield wall
• where were the Saxons positioned for Hastings ?

  the top of Senlac hill
• what were the Saxons leaders like for Hastings ?

  • had an experienced general
  • had fought the Vikings and the Welsh already
• how did the Normans prepare their army for Hastings ?

  • combination of soldiers from Normandy and mercenries
  • highly skilled archers and cavalry
• what weaponry did the Normans have for Hastings ?

  • bows
  • tear shaped shields
• what were normans tactics for Hastings ?

  • infantry and cavalry
  • archers wear down enemies
  • flag system
• where was the Normans position for Hastings ?

  base of Senlac hill
• what were norman leaders like ?

  • highly experienced general
  • had support of France and the pope
• describe the battle of Hastings ?

  1. battle began at 9am and Saxons formed a shields wall which normans were unabke to break and arrows flew overhead
  2. normans ran back and Saxons gave chase and broke the wall known as feigned retreats
  3. William changed tactics during a break and moved the archers to the front where arrows began landing on Saxons behind the wall
  4. Williams made a final push and shield wall was gone
  5. Saxons were cut to pieces and Harold was killed
• how did Harold's mistakes lead to Williams win ?

  • men were not rested
  • disbanded army because of harvest
  • men fell for feigned retreats
  • were on foot
• how did Williams tactics help him win ?

  • believed god was on their side
  • well organised & clear communication
  • archers and cavalry
  • chose battle site
• how did luck help william win ?

  • weather delayed his invasion
  • Hadrada invaded at the same time so Harold had to fight 2 armies
  • Williams army had time to rest