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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

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Key term

How were the two armies drawn up at the start of the Battle of Hastings?

Key term

What was the shield wall, and why was it so hard to break?

Key term

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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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