The Battle of Hastings 1066 - The Normans - BBC Two

Summary

On October 14, 1066, a pivotal battle unfolded on a hillside in England, dramatically altering the nation's history. The English forces, led by King Harold, formed a formidable shield wall, but they were met with a novel and formidable Norman force. The Normans, under William the Conqueror, deployed archers, infantry, and mounted knights in a strategic formation. Despite initial setbacks and rumors of William's death, the Normans rallied, exploiting a momentary English break in ranks. The battle's turning point came with the death of King Harold, reportedly from an arrow to the eye, leading to the Norman victory. The aftermath was grim, with the English nobility and youth lying lifeless on the battlefield. William, showing no immediate remorse, later built an Abbey as penance for the bloodshed. The battle marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of the Norman era in England, with William ascending to the throne as King.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, was a pivotal moment that changed the course of English history.
• 🛡️ The English forces, led by King Harold, used a traditional shield wall formation to defend against the Normans.
• 🏰 The Norman forces, commanded by William the Conqueror, employed a three-line formation with archers, infantry, and mounted knights.
• 🎗️ William carried relics that Harold had sworn an oath on, symbolizing divine support for his claim to the English throne.
• 🗡️ The battle was marked by fierce combat, with both sides showing great valor and suffering heavy casualties.
• 🏃‍♂️ A rumor of William's death caused panic among the Normans, but he quickly dispelled it, rallying his troops.
• 🛡️ The English line was eventually broken, leading to the Normans' decisive victory.
• 📜 The Bayeux Tapestry captures the chaos and desperation of the battle, providing a visual record of the event.
• 👑 The death of King Harold, possibly by an arrow to the eye, signified the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England.
• 🕊️ Edith the Swan-Neck, Harold's mistress, is said to have identified his body by secret marks known only to them.
• ⛪️ William later built an Abbey as penance for the battle, with its altar on the spot where Harold fell, marking a new era under Norman rule.

Q & A

On which date did the battle that changed the course of history in England take place?

The battle took place on Saturday the 14th of October 1066.

What was the site of the battle later known as?

The site of the battle is now simply known as 'Battle'.

How did the English soldiers protect themselves during the battle?

The English soldiers protected themselves by overlapping their shields to form a shield wall.

What was the traditional fighting formation of the English soldiers?

The traditional fighting formation of the English soldiers was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a shield wall.

What was the new element in English warfare that confronted the English soldiers?

The new element in English warfare was the Norman army, which was organized in three lines: archers, infantry, and mounted knights.

What significant item did William wear around his neck during the battle?

William wore around his neck the very saints relics on which Harold had sworn his oath.

What was the condition of Harold's army before the battle?

Harold's army was weary and exhausted from the long march south.

What caused a moment of panic among the Normans during the battle?

A rumor spread amongst the Normans that William had been killed, causing the men on the left flank to panic.

How did William reassure his troops that he was not killed?

William pushed back his helmet to reveal his face and called out that he was alive and, with God's help, would conquer yet.

What is depicted in the Bayeux tapestry regarding the battle?

The Bayeux tapestry shows the confusion and desperation of the battle.

How did Bishop Odo participate in the battle without shedding blood?

Bishop Odo carried a huge club, which allowed him to break arms or heads without causing bloodshed.

What was the fate of King Harold and how was his body eventually recognized?

King Harold was killed, possibly by an arrow to the eye, and his body was so mutilated that it was initially unrecognizable. It was eventually recognized by his mistress, Edith the Swan-Neck, who identified it by certain secret marks known only to her and Harold.