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 claimed the throne and was crowned king. 
• William, Duke of Normandy, also believed he had a claim to the throne. 

Edward the confessor

William the conquerer

King Harold Godwinson

www.bbc.com

Who were the Normans?

The Normans

About the battle

Watch the videos

What do you remember the battle?

The Battle

• When Harold became king, William invaded England with his army
• 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

Consequences

• Social change: England becomes a feudal state
• Linguistic change: a new language

What new words were introduced to the English language?

FOUNDING BATTLE ABBEY

• The Battle of Hastings had involved much bloodshed. 
•  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. Make a storyboard of the battle 

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

1066 

The Battle of Hastings

www.english-heritage.org.uk

www.bbc.com

The Bayeux Tapestry

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