Battle of Hastings

Who commanded the Normans at the Battle of Hastings

• Duke William

• King Harald Hardrada

• Bishop Odo

• Count Robert of Mortain

Who was the commander of the English at the Battle of Hastings?

• Earl Edwin

• Earl Morcar

• Gyrth

• King Harold Godwinson

Why was William's Army more flexible than Harold's?

• They did yoga

• He had knights, archers and foot soldiers

• They were trained in different formations

• The spearmen carried bows

Who gave William a banner to carry on the battle field?

• Pope Alexander II

• Queen Matilda

• King Alexander of Scotland

• Earl Edwin

How did having a banner from the Pope help William's Army?

• They knew where William was

• It made his soldiers feel God was on their side and improved morale

• It showed William was a monk

• It matched the banner Harold had from the Pope

Why did William not march into England to find Harold to fight him?

• He thought Harold was at Hastings?

• His horses were too tired to move

• William didn't want to risk being cut off from his ships

• William was a sailor and liked being near the sea

How did William force Harold to come to Sussex to fight?

• Sent him a letter challenging him

• Sent a challenge to meet Harold at Hastings for a duel

• Pretended he was running away

• Burnt villages that belonged to Harold

Why might have Harold force marched his army to Hastings after the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

• He wanted to catch William by surprise - just like at Stamford Bridge

• He thought snow was about to fall

• He was afraid William would run away

• He got lost and paniced

Why did Medieval Kings try to avoid battles?

• They were Christians and hated violence

• They had poor maps and could not find the enemy

• Chance events could lead to defeat

• They were trained to be priests

Why didn't Harold catch William by surprise with his forced march to Hastings?

• Harold got lost near London

• Harold sent a herald to say he was coming

• William rode with groups of 20 knights to scout for Harold

• Harold's men lit big fires as they marched and that warned William