Battle of Hastings Quiz

What tactic did the English use to create a strong barrier?

• Forming a shield wall

• Retreating in terror

• Chasing after the Bretons

• Using archers to distract

Why did the Breton knights initially retreat?

• They thought William had been killed

• They were afraid of the English shield wall

• They were ordered to retreat by William

• They were tired from the battle against the Vikings

What strategy did the Normans use to weaken the English shield wall?

• Pretending to retreat

• Forming a shield wall of their own

• Using archers to shoot at the shields

• Charging with their knights on horseback

What clever instruction did William give to his archers towards the end of the battle?

• Fire poison-tipped arrows

• Carry out fake retreats of their own

• Fire up into the sky

• Fire to the side, and allow the wind to transport the arrows

What caused the final collapse of the English shield wall?

• The exhaustion of the English soldiers

• The death of Harold's brothers

• The retreat of the Bretons

• The arrows fired by the Normans

How did Harold die during the battle? (hint: it could be more than one!)

• He was hit in the eye with an arrow

• He was cut to pieces by Norman knights

• He was trampled by horses

• He was killed by the arrows fired by his own men

What was the outcome of the Battle of Hastings?

• The English won the battle

• The Normans won the battle

• The battle ended in a draw

• The battle was inconclusive

What event caused a loss of discipline among Harold's men?

• The death of William

• The retreat of the Bretons

• The collapse of the shield wall

• The exhaustion of the English soldiers

What was the main advantage of the Normans during the battle?

• Their superior archers

• Their strong shield wall

• Their skilled foot soldiers

• Their knights on horseback

What helped William to regain the confidence of the retreating Bretons?

• Removing his helmet to cry: 'I live, and will conquer yet!'

• Ordering them to return to the battle

• Promising them rewards

• Threatening them with punishment