Edexcel GCSE History 1HI0
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88British depth
British America, 1713–83: Empire and RevolutionPeriod study
Conflict in the Middle East, 1945–95Period study
Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–presentPaper 1 option
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88British depth
Henry VIII and His Ministers, 1509–40British depth
London and the Second World War, 1939–45Paper 1 option
Mao’s China, 1945–76Modern depth
Medicine in Britain, c1250–presentPaper 1 option
Migrants in Britain, c800–presentPaper 1 option
Notting Hill, c1948–c1970Paper 1 option
Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41Modern depth
Spain and the ‘New World’, c1490–c1555Period study
Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–91Period study
The American West, c1835–c1895Period study
The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: Injuries, Treatment and the TrenchesPaper 1 option
The Reigns of King Richard I and King John, 1189–1216British depth
The USA, 1954–75: Conflict at Home and AbroadModern depth
Warfare and British Society, c1250–presentPaper 1 option
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39Modern depth
Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: Crime, Policing and the Inner CityPaper 1 option
Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88
The Norman invasion, 1060–66
- 3 things to know
- Paper 2 booklet B
Overview
Senlac Hill on 14 October 1066, how the armies were drawn up, the shield wall, William's rally after the early flight, Harold's death, the feigned retreat, criticism of Harold, William's leadership, how the two armies differed and why the timing favoured William.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What was the shield wall, and why was it so hard to break?
What happened when part of the Norman army fled early in the Battle of Hastings?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Where and when was the Battle of Hastings fought?
Model answer
On Senlac Hill a few miles from Hastings, on 14 October 1066.
- 2
How were the two armies drawn up at the start of the fighting?
Model answer
Harold’s men stood on foot in a shield wall along the ridge, while William placed archers in front, then foot soldiers, with mounted knights behind.
- 3
What was the shield wall, and why was it so hard to break?
Model answer
A tight line of overlapping shields held on high ground, which turned back cavalry charges and blunted arrows for as long as nobody left the line.
- 4
What happened when part of the Norman army fled early in the battle?
Model answer
A rumour spread that William was dead, so he raised his helmet to show his face and rallied his men, and the English who had chased downhill were cut off and killed.
- 5
How did the battle end?
Model answer
Harold was killed late in the day, along with his brothers Gyrth and Leofwine, after which the shield wall collapsed and the survivors fled.
- 6
What was the feigned retreat, and why did it work?
Model answer
Norman horsemen pretended to flee so that the English broke ranks to chase them, then turned and destroyed them in the open ground below the ridge.
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