The conflict that decided who would rule England in 1066
The Battle of Hastings took place on October 14, 1066, and pitted William, Duke of Normandy, against Harold II, King of England. The struggle began due to a dispute over who had the right to occupy the English throne, and William's victory changed the history of England and began the Norman Conquest.
Why did the battle begin?
The problem arose when Edward the Confessor, King of England, died in January 1066, as Edward left no children and several men claimed the throne.
After his death, Harold II was chosen as king by the English nobility and began to rule, but William of Normandy claimed that Edward had promised him the crown years earlier, and also maintained that Harold had agreed to support his right to the throne.
The situation worsened when another rival, Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, invaded England. Harold II had to march quickly to the north and defeated the Norwegians at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, but shortly after, he received news that William had landed in the south, and Harold had to travel hundreds of kilometers with his army to face the Normans.
William and Harold: two kings face to face
William of Normandy was an experienced ruler and led an army composed of Norman soldiers, Bretons, and other warriors; it featured infantry, archers, and cavalry, a very useful combination during battle.
His main weapon as a warrior was the medieval sword, accompanied by a shield and armor; however, the Norman soldiers also used spears, swords, bows, and large shields.
Harold II was the King of England and had military experience, and his army consisted mainly of English soldiers and stood out for its housecarls, professional warriors who used large battle axes; furthermore, he carried a sword, shield, and armor, while his soldiers formed a very tight defense known as a shield wall, a position from which they could withstand enemy attacks.
The Battle of Hastings
The English army occupied a high position on a hill where the soldiers formed their shield wall and awaited the Norman attack. For his part, William began by using archers, but the English defense held firm, followed by attacks from the Norman infantry and cavalry.
For hours, the English held their position until, at some point, part of the Norman army retreated and several English soldiers abandoned the hill to pursue them. Thus, William took advantage of this situation to counterattack with his cavalry.
The battle continued until the end of the day, when finally, the English army lost its formation and Harold II died during the combat.
With the death of the king, the English resistance was weakened and William achieved victory.
What happened after the battle?
William continued his advance through England and was crowned King of England on December 25, 1066. From then on, he was known as William the Conqueror.
The victory profoundly changed England; many English nobles lost their lands and were replaced by Norman nobles, and customs, the organization of power, and part of the English language also changed.
The Battle of Hastings was, therefore, much more than a fight between two armies; it was the confrontation that allowed William to conquer England and begin a new stage in its history.
