The Battle of Hastings Flashcards
(41 cards)
Front
Back
What year was the Battle of Hastings?
1066
Who won the Battle of Hastings?
William, Duke of Normandy.
Who was defeated at the Battle of Hastings?
Harold Godwinson.
What claim did William have to the English throne?
He said Edward the Confessor promised it to him.
Who was Edward the Confessor?
The king of England before 1066.
Why was there a succession crisis in 1066?
Edward the Confessor died without an heir.
Who were the three main claimants to the English throne in 1066?
Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada.
What battle did Harold fight before Hastings?
The Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Who did Harold defeat at Stamford Bridge?
Harald Hardrada.
How did Harold die at the Battle of Hastings?
He was killed, possibly by an arrow to the eye.
What advantage did Harold have before the battle?
He controlled the high ground at Senlac Hill.
What was the feigned retreat tactic?
Normans pretended to run away, then turned to attack.
How did the Norman cavalry help in the battle?
They charged and broke the English shield wall.
What was a shield wall?
A military formation where soldiers stand close with shields.
How did William prepare for the invasion?
He gathered soldiers, ships, and supplies.
Where did William land in England?
Pevensey.
What type of soldiers did William have?
Cavalry, infantry, and archers.
What type of soldiers did Harold have?
Mainly infantry and housecarls.
What are housecarls?
Elite soldiers who served Harold Godwinson.
What was the significance of the Battle of Hastings?
It led to the Norman conquest of England.
How long did the Battle of Hastings last?
Most of the day on October 14, 1066.
What role did the Bayeux Tapestry play?
It tells the story of the Norman conquest.
What is the Bayeux Tapestry?
An embroidered cloth showing events of 1066.
