Battle of Hastings

The Bataille of Hastings (sometimes called Bataille of Senlac ) is a battle which took place the October 14th 1066 with eight kilometers in the north of Hastings, in the county of the Sussex of the East, in the south of the England, which opposed the last Anglo-Saxon king of the country, Harold Godwinson, with the duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, and which devoted the beginning of the Conquête of England by this last.


Foot-note: except particular case, the term Normands will be employed for all the troops of William the Conqueror, however made up, in addition to Norman, of a third the Breton ones, but also of Flemings, Francs and even Germains; and that of Saxon for the army of Harold, made up as well of Anglo-Saxons as of Danois.

Installation

Claiming with the throne of England, William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, share of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, in Pevensey the September 28th 1066 unloads and takes its districts in the town of Hastings. Its army is made up of numerous gentilhommes but also of humbler people, Guillaume having promised strongholds with the winners.

It awaits the result of the confrontations in north with York between Harold Godwinson, Count de Wessex proclaimed king, his rebellious brother, Tostig and the Vikings of the king of Norway Harald Hardraada.

The victory of Stamford Bridge returned in Harold, which, after having celebrated its victory, learns how the October 2nd the Norman unloading. The other brothers of Harold, Gyrth and Leofwine, advise to him not to attack them but rather to cut the lines of supply to them, this one does not listen to them and raises the maximum of troops to attack. The October 11th, it leaves London where it had gathered its forces and together they move towards the coast, 500 kilometers of walk, exhausting the troops not having recovered tirednesses of the preceding confrontations. The 13, Guillaume is informed proximity of Harold and puts its forces in alarm.

The October 14th 1066, the two armies are put moving and the Saxon ones discuss the hill of Santlache that the Norman ones will rename Senlac which undoubtedly corresponds to the current tourist small town of Battle, with eight kilometers in the north of Hastings located on the coast.

Unfolding

The action starts with a duel of archers, where the Norman archers carry it of number but have the disadvantage to draw since a low position. Then soldiers with foot leave to the attack.

This attack not giving anything, Guillaume sends first once his cavalry. The Saxon ones, equipped with the Danish axe and the long shield hold good and the Norman ones must be folded up.

Guillaume precipitates on the battle field to prevent the rout. At this time its horse crumbles and the rumor is propagated: “The duke died! ” Guillaume removes his helmet to be made recognize.

With the left wing, submerged by a counter-attack saxonne, the Breton army flees. Several hundreds the Saxon ones left their rows to go to massacre the Breton ones taken with the trap of the marshes when the cavalry of Guillaume comes to their helps.

At the end of this first attack, the losses are large on both sides, Harold lost his/her two brothers Gyrth and Lewine. During a short pause the armies are positioned back.

The combat takes again with on the line a new attack against the wall saxonne. Then, the Norman ones make pretense move back to force the Saxon ones not to remain arranged more. Those which leave their rows are massacred a few moments later by the cavalry Norman.

This operation will be repeated in his turn successfully by the Norman center. However the victims saxonnes amount especially in the recruited peasants (the militia), the troops of elites do not weaken.

Guillaume makes again play his archers that it organizes in two bodies. One remains with the bottom of the slope whereas the second approaches closest to the Saxon ones. The first draw initially, obliging the Saxon ones to raise their shields to protect itself, making it possible the second body of archers to carry out a tended shooting. The operation is repeated on several “gusts”. Harold is then touched with the eye.

Guillaume sends the cavalry including four men, Eustace II of Boulogne, Hugues de Montfort, Hugues de Ponthieu and Gautier Giffard, forces the passage until Harold which falls under their blows.

Whereas reinforcements of Saxon peasants always arrive on the battle field, the victory is with the Norman ones.

See too

External bonds

  • Battle of Hastings
  • Hastings, battles for a crown
  • Photos of the reconstitution of the battle of Hastings

  • Secret off the norman invasion

  • Battle off Hastings 1066

Source (S)

Random links:Charlotte (North Carolina) | Olivier Mathieu | Jama Masjid | Account of Camerone | Konjevići