William of Normandy's Invasion and the Battle of Hastings (1066)

Question 1

Why did William of Normandy claim the English throne in 1066?

Answer 1

He claimed Edward the Confessor promised it to him in 1051 and that Harold Godwinson swore an oath to support him in 1064.

Question 2

What preparations did William make before invading England?

Answer 2

He secured papal support, gathered a large fleet and army, and gained allies from Normandy, Flanders, and Brittany.

Question 3

Why was papal support significant for William?

Answer 3

It legitimised his claim and framed the invasion as a holy war, encouraging knights to join him.

Question 4

How did William solve logistical problems crossing the Channel?

Answer 4

He waited for favourable winds, organised a huge transport fleet, and stocked supplies for a prolonged campaign.

Question 5

Where did William land in England and why?

Answer 5

Pevensey Bay, Sussex (28 Sept 1066). It was undefended, close to Harold’s lands, and allowed him to secure a port.

Question 6

What did William do immediately after landing?

Answer 6

Built a castle at Pevensey, raided the countryside to provoke Harold, and fortified his supply line.

Question 7

Who was Harald Hardrada and what was his claim?

Answer 7

King of Norway. Claimed the English throne via a 1040s agreement with Harthacnut and Magnus.

Question 8

Who joined Hardrada in his invasion?

Answer 8

Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s exiled brother.

Question 9

What happened at the Battle of Fulford Gate (20 Sept 1066)?

Answer 9

Hardrada and Tostig defeated the northern earls Edwin and Morcar outside York.

Question 10

What was the significance of Fulford Gate?

Answer 10

It weakened northern English forces and allowed Hardrada to occupy York.

Question 11

What happened at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (25 Sept 1066)?

Answer 11

Harold marched 200 miles north in 4 days and surprised Hardrada’s army, winning a brutal victory.

Question 12

Why was Stamford Bridge important?

Answer 12

It removed one threat to Harold but exhausted his army just before William’s landing in the south.

Question 13

When did William land at Pevensey?

Answer 13

28 September 1066.

Question 14

What was Harold’s response to William’s landing?

Answer 14

Marched south rapidly, gathering forces from London and nearby regions, despite having just fought at Stamford Bridge.

Question 15

What mistake did Harold make before Hastings?

Answer 15

He marched quickly without waiting for reinforcements (e.g., northern earls), and engaged William’s forces immediately.

Question 16

Where was the Battle of Hastings fought?

Answer 16

Senlac Hill, near Hastings, Sussex.

Question 17

What were the strengths of Harold’s position at Hastings?

Answer 17

He held the high ground, had a shield wall, and was defending home territory.

Question 18

Describe William’s army at Hastings.

Answer 18

About 7,000 men: a mix of archers, infantry, and cavalry from Normandy, Brittany, and Flanders.

Question 19

Describe Harold’s army at Hastings.

Answer 19

Mainly housecarls and thegns (elite), plus fyrd (less experienced local militia).

Question 20

What tactics did William use at Hastings?

Answer 20

Repeated attacks to break the shield wall, feigned retreats to lure English troops out of formation, combined arms (archers → infantry → cavalry).

Question 21

What caused the shield wall to break?

Answer 21

Discipline failures after Norman feigned retreats drew English forces out of position.

Question 22

What was the turning point in the battle?

Answer 22

Allegedly, Harold’s death late in the day—possibly by an arrow to the eye or cut down by cavalry.

Question 23

How long did the battle last?

Answer 23

All day — from early morning to sunset (approx. 9 hours).

Question 24

How did William’s leadership contribute to victory?

Answer 24

He maintained morale after early cavalry failures, adapted tactics mid-battle, and inspired loyalty among diverse troops.

Question 25

What role did strategy and tactics play in the victory?

Answer 25

Use of feigned retreats and combined arms tactics wore down the English defence.

Question 26

What resources helped William win?

Answer 26

Superior cavalry, papal support, and a well-supplied army with trained commanders.

Question 27

How important was chance in the outcome?

Answer 27

Timing was crucial — Harold’s army was tired, he faced two invasions back-to-back, and weather delayed William (perhaps fortunately).

Question 28

How did Harold’s leadership contribute to his defeat?

Answer 28

He fought two major battles in three weeks, didn’t wait for reinforcements, and possibly misjudged Norman tactics.

Question 29

Why didn’t William march directly to London after Hastings?

Answer 29

London was well-defended and he needed to secure the south first and weaken resistance.

Question 30

What areas did William secure in his march to London?

Answer 30

Dover, Canterbury, Winchester, and key crossing points over the Thames.

Question 31

How did William secure loyalty from English elites?

Answer 31

Took hostages, made promises to protect property, and allowed some Anglo-Saxons to keep land (temporarily).

Question 32

When and where was William crowned?

Answer 32

25 December 1066, at Westminster Abbey.

Question 33

Why was the coronation on Christmas Day symbolic?

Answer 33

It echoed Edward the Confessor’s legacy and showed God’s approval of his reign.

Question 34

What happened during the coronation that showed tensions?

Answer 34

A misunderstanding caused Norman soldiers to attack nearby buildings when they heard cheers inside the abbey.

Question 35

How did William use castles during his early occupation?

Answer 35

He quickly built motte-and-bailey castles at Pevensey and Hastings to secure supply lines and intimidate locals — a model he used extensively post-1066.

Question 36

What is the significance of the ‘Harrying of the South’?

Answer 36

While not as destructive as the later ‘Harrying of the North’, William’s raids in Kent and Sussex helped subdue resistance and send a message of dominance.

Question 37

Who was Stigand, and what was his role in William’s coronation?

Answer 37

The Archbishop of Canterbury (considered uncanonical by Rome). William was instead crowned by Ealdred, Archbishop of York, to ensure legitimacy

Question 38

What caused panic during William’s coronation ceremony?

Answer 38

Loud cheering inside the Abbey was misunderstood by Norman guards outside as rebellion, so they set fire to nearby buildings — a sign of tension and instability.

Question 39

How did William reward his Norman followers after Hastings?

Answer 39

Promised land and titles — often taken from English nobles. This laid the groundwork for the Norman aristocracy in England.

Question 40

Why was the English fyrd a disadvantage for Harold at Hastings?

Answer 40

It consisted of non-professional militia with limited training, raised for short periods. Many had already served at Fulford and Stamford Bridge.

Question 41

What role did Pope Alexander II play in 1066?

Answer 41

He gave William a papal banner, framing the invasion as a just cause and strengthening William’s legitimacy across Europe.

Question 42

Why was the Witan’s role in electing Harold important?

Answer 42

It showed that Harold’s rule was legally grounded in Anglo-Saxon custom, creating tension between native law and Norman claims of promise.

Question 43

Why was Harold's rapid march south a tactical error?

Answer 43

It exhausted his troops and denied him reinforcements from Mercia and Northumbria, leaving his forces outnumbered and fatigued.

Question 44

How did William’s use of combined arms differ from Harold’s tactics?

Answer 44

William coordinated archers, infantry, and cavalry in waves. Harold relied almost entirely on a static shield wall with little tactical flexibility.

Question 45

What is the Norman justification for the invasion?

Answer 45

That William was the rightful heir (based on Edward’s promise), Harold broke his oath, and the Pope approved William’s claim — thus his cause was lawful and righteous.

Question 46

Why was Harold’s oath to William significant in Norman propaganda?

Answer 46

Breaking a sacred oath (possibly on holy relics) was used by William to present Harold as morally unfit and himself as divinely sanctioned.

Question 47

How is the Bayeux Tapestry useful to historians?

Answer 47

It provides a detailed Norman perspective on 1066, including visual accounts of Harold’s oath and Hastings, but it is biased, omits key figures (e.g., Edgar), and was likely commissioned by Bishop Odo to justify the conquest.

Question 48

What are the limitations of the Bayeux Tapestry as a source?

Answer 48

It's one-sided (Norman view), omits key events (e.g., Stamford Bridge), possibly exaggerates Harold’s oath-breaking, and blends symbolism with fact.