the battle of hastings

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

1066

The battle of

Hastings

The Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest was the result of a succession crisis in England. 

In January 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without a clear heir to the throne. 

Harold Godwinson, one of the most powerful men in England, claimed the throne and was crowned king. 

However, William, Duke of Normandy, also believed he had a claim to the throne. William was a distant cousin of King Edward and had received a promise from him years earlier that he would be his successor.

William the conquerer

King Harold Godwinson

About William... 

Watch the videos on William

What do remember about William the conquerer

About Harold Godwinson

Watch the videos

What do you remember about Harold?

The Battle

When Harold became king, William invaded England with his army, hoping to claim the throne by force. The two armies met at the Battle of Hastings, where the Normans defeated the English after a long and bloody battle. King Harold was killed in the battle, and William became the new king of England. This event marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest of England, which had a profound impact on English history.

What do remember about the battle

Consequences

• Social change: the feudal system
• England becomes a feudal state
• land - church - town
• nobles and serfs - clergymen - craftsmen and tradesmen
• Linguistic change: a new language

What new words were introduced to the English language?

FOUNDING BATTLE ABBEYy

The Battle of Hastings had

involved much bloodshed. Under pressure from religious

figures such as the pope, William needed to pay penance

for the violence and deaths that he was responsible for.

In 1070, he founded an abbey on the battlefield, positioning

the high altar on the spot where Harold had been killed.

 By calling it Battle Abbey, William was

also reminding everyone of his victory.

Assignments

1. Make propaganda poster for King Harold or for William the Conquerer  and explain why they had the right to the throne 

2. Analyse the battle tactics used by both sides. (Use: shield wall, archers, cavalry, feigned retreat and standard bearer)

3. Make a storyboard of the battle 

4. Write a short story or diary entry of one of the soldiers fighting during the battle

1066 

The Battle of Hastings

The Bayeux Tapestry

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What do you think is the purpose of creating the Bayeux Tapestry?