THE BATTLE ITSELF

The Battle of Hastings was recognized as a major event in medieval times. It was considered one of the most fateful military engagements in English history. This battle was fought on October 14, 1066, between Harold II and William I (the conqueror). There were many manuscripts created about the battle; the first belonged to Sir John Cotton in 1619, which was copied, printed, and then never seen again. 

There were no survivors of the battle which would allow for proper account. The different manuscripts are based on peoples understandings of what happened. Since the facts are based on hearsay information, there are many different interpretations of the actual battle based on the origin of the interpreter was from. Most people believed that the source of the battle was William of Poiters’, Gesta Gulielmi Ducis Normannorum et Regis Angelorum (Deeds of William, Duke of the Normans and King of the English).

        Two of the major Norman sources of the event are: 
First, William Poitiers - mouth piece of the conqueror written between 1074-1077.
Second is the Gesta Normannorum Dacum, by William of Jumieges. This work concentrates less on the actual conqueror.

There are five main versions of the conquest, however, the version that gives the fullest account, known as version "D," was written in the late 11th century. This writing originated in York and was sometimes called the Northern recession. Another major source for the conquest is the invaluable Worchester account, which is another English version and also the modern edition written by Raymonde Forville in a French translation.

There are various opinions of how and why the battle actually started. It was the belief that William wanted the throne and would do everything that he needed to take it over. There is not much clarity on where the battle actually took place, but many clues from the writings indicate that it took place on Caldbec Hill. The reasons for these opinions are the topography of the region; dense forest, and elevation. Manuscripts cite apple trees and ‘looking down’ indicating various elevations. With all of the information upon tapestries and documents, there is much support that the Battle of Hastings must have been located there. The evidence though is not completely certain, many question the location of Battle Hill.

Most believed that it was the goal of William to make a nuisance of himself in order to bring Harold to him, to gain some power in the process. And Harold was not completely prepared for William. Harold did his best to protect his position, near his base.

Pavensey and Hastings offered a safe harbor for his group, and William's thinking and safe strategies mark the shortest passage across the channel. It makes sense that they would want to have the battle in this location.

The battle took place on October 14, 1066. It is indicated that for the most part William the Conqueror was lucky. His eventual victory was due to a combination of skill and luck. William was waiting for a period of about two weeks for the winds to change so that he could begin his march.

Harold on his way south after his successful battle on Stamford Bridge, and after loosing many to other battles he sent out the call throughout the kingdom for the select fyrd, trained militia. Harold had just succeeded in a battle that included his brother Tostig and Harold Hardrada. On September 1066, Harold and Tostig attacked Yorkshire with an enormous army. They were met by the earls Morcar and Edwin and then the battle took place. This battle was won.

On September 25th is when the battle at Stamford Bridge took place and there is when Harold II lost his brother Tostig and Harold Hardrada. After this victory is when Harold heard the news that William the Conqueror was on his way and landed in the south coast and was on his way to meet Harold.

Harold was exhausted from his journey, preventing him from leading the army against William. At this point Harold would have to lead his army back down the country to fight another battle. The effort to fight off William’s men would be almost impossible after the long marches north and south. It may have been too much to ask.

In the hopes of distracting William or causing him to stop, Harold sent out a messenger to William acknowledging him that he received the throne from Edward the Confessor on his deathbed and that William should leave England or face destruction. William later wrote that Harold should surrender the Kingdom to him, let the pope decide between them, or settle the issue in a single man to man combat. It is indicated that Harold was made pale to almost sickness by this message, but continued on with his march.

Both armies were equally the same in size and ability. There is indication that William had no real reason for winning the battle other than again, luck. This battle was bloody and ugly. William started with the town, slaughtering the people around the streets and burning their homes. It is indicated that it was his goal to kill as many as possible and William as he succeeded.

The battle basically took place in one day. William was successful in the battle and Harold was killed. By December 1066, William, now known as the Conqueror had the support of enough English earls and churchmen to become King of England.