The Battle of Hastings: Duke of Normandy, Earl of Wessex, King of Norway

At the beginning of 1066, King Edward the Confessor principle England. He had no children so there was uncertainty on who would rule next. There were three men who wished to be king. They were William, Duke of Normandy Harold Godwineson, Earl of Wessex, and Harald Hardraada, King of Norway. On January 6th, 1066, the day beat after Edward died, Harold Godwineson was crowned king. William saw this as a declaration of war, and state he would kill Harold. He immediately do plans to invade England. It took him deuce months to assemble his multitude and navy.When they were ready to leave, the wind had been blowing the wrong direction so William had to wait another couple months before he could set sail. During this time Harold was preparing for William. Harolds legions mainly consisted of highly trained soldiers k promptlyn as the Housecarls. It also consisted of Fyrds, peasants serving two months at war a form for the king, who did not have much skill. Harold had been waiting at th e South sloping trough for a long time now. His soldiery were running out of nutrition supplies and everyone was getting wrestles. So he decides William is not coming and dismantles his army, returning to London.Harald Hardraada, with his Viking army, had now landed on the North East Coast of England and attacked Yorkshire. Harold hears the news, reassembles his army and taper on foot to Yorkshire, deciding that William would not be coming. They walked 180miles in 5 days, which was a very fast speed on foot. The Vikings were unprepared and were slaughtered. This action was cheatn as the Battle of Stamford Bridge. On the 27th September, 1066, Williams army set sail for England, as the weather had changed and conditions were favourable. A day posterior they arrived at the South Coast, expecting resistance, but none came.There was no army waiting for them. He moved through incline villages, burning the villagers to close in Harolds attention. William wanted to manage. Horses were at the heart of Williams battle plan. His army consisted of more than 2000 mounted knights. He had, in addition, hired mercenary soldiers to fight on his align. Harolds army only fought on foot. They would not know how to respond to soldiers on horseback. Harold heard the news that the Normans had at last landed. He orders his army, who had many injuries and fatalities after the Battle of Stamford Bridge, south towards William.Over 7000 English soldiers together walked 250 miles. A long the way, they pass through villages, and Harold attempts to get peasants to joint his army. He falsely claimed it was the Popes war, and that they would be instantly trustworthy into Heaven. After hearing this many peasants joined. However, they had no experience. Harolds army run along up at the top a hill, forcing William to attack uphill. Harold is waiting for reinforcements to get in and help out. The men at the front of Harolds army, including Harold himself, form a defense wall. Wil liam divided his troops into three groups.His plan was to use archery to break the entertain wall, consequently, when a hole appeared, would strike and break through. However the archers made little difference as they were shooting uphill. The Norman army then advances up the hill. The Saxons started throwing anything they could, including axes, towards the approaching army. The shield wall holds. When the Normans had reached the shield wall the cavalry tried desperately to break through the shield wall. Their attempts were useless. The left side of the Norman army falls back, and the Saxons on that side follow a foolish mistake.These Saxons were surrounded and all killed. Both sides returned to their old battle positions. The front line of the Saxons was now shorter, allowing the Normans to attack from the side. The Normans charged again at the shield wall and this time it collapsed and the Normans broke through. By this time Harold was dead, so his army draw back into the wo od behind. This ended the Battle of Hastings. The next day Harolds fuss asked William for Harolds body in exchange for his body weight in gold, but William refused. He said that his body should be buried in the land that he sought to guard.