THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS

CAUSES OF THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS

The background to the battle was the death of the childless King Edward the Confessor in January 1066, which set up a succession struggle between several claimants to his throne:

- Harold Godwinson was the Edward brother-in-law and he was also the Earl of Wessex

-William of Normandy had made a deal with Edward in order to be a king.

Why? Because he helped Edward in a battle

- Harald Hardrada the King of Norway

Harold Godwinson had the support of the AngloSaxon nobles and the King Edward, before he died, chose him as his successor.

In the meantime, William of Normandy forced Harold to give him the throne of England if he became a king. The powerful army of Normady was his main threat.

King Edward died on the 5th January 1066. The tapestry reverses the scenes of his death. Here we also see his funeral processión to Westminster Abbey.

In the upper chamber King Edward is in his bed talking to his faithful followers, including Harold. Two noblemen offer Harold the crown and axe, symbols of royal authority, that will make him King. He accepted the offer.

Long Live The New King...

Harold is crowned King of England on 6th January 1066

On the far right Halley's comet appears; people think it is an evil sign and are terrified.

William of Normandy is furious

News of Edward's death and Harold’s coronation is carried across the channel to William, Duke of Normandy. William is furious - he claimed that the throne of England should be his and saw Harold as a usurper. William decides to attack England and organises a fleet of warships.

Planning the invasion

Building boats and bringing weapons

William’s army crossing the sea

However, Harald of Norway also claimed the crown of Harold and he was quickler than William.

Harald and his army reached the coast of England but they were defeated by the Harold’s army in the battle of Stamford Bridge on the 25th of September.

It was only two days before of the arrival of William...

THE ARRIVAL OF WILLIAM

They reach the south coast of England on the 28th September and William and his army enjoy a feast

Two weeks after the arrival of William and his army, the Battle of Hastings took place. A battle between against the powerful army of Normandy and and army of Harold, which was tired after the battle against the Norwegians

THE MORNING OF THE BATTLE

On the morning of the battle, 14th October 1066, William, in full armour, is about to mount his horse. William’s Norman cavalry gallops off to face Harold’s English soldiers.

THE BATTLEThe Normans charge and the Battle of Hastings has begun.

The English soldiers, who are all on foot, protect themselves with a wall of shields. The Normans attack from both sides. The lower border of the tapestry is filled with dead and injured soldiers.

THE DEATH OF KING HAROLD

The Normans seem to be getting the upper hand as the battle continues. Many more soldiers die, one appears to be having his head cut off. On the right is the best known scene in the Tapestry: the Normans killing King Harold. But how is Harold killed? He seems to be shown twice: first plucking an arrow from his eye, and then being hacked down by a Norman knight. The tapestry is difficult to interpret here, but the second figure is probably Harold being killed.

THE BATTLE IS OVER

With Harold dead, the battle is over. The victorious Normans chase the remaining English from the battlefield. The final scene from the tapestry has been lost. It may have shown William being crowned King of England

CONSEQUENCES OF THE BATTLE

4000 CASUALTIES IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN NORMANS AND ENGLISH

A NEW KING IN ENGLAND: WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR

ONE OF THE REASON OF THE HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND