The end of the story
It is the beginning of the year 1066 CE and King Edward the Confessor has just died, leaving no heir. William of Noramndy is under the impression that he will be the next King and is shocked when Harold Godwinson is offered the Kingship by the Witan council even though he, William, was left the throne by King Edward. Harald Hardrada also thinks it is unfair that Harold is going to be King and so he sets out to invade England and take back what was once his families country.
Harold Godwinson knew that William will be furious about him being King because he, Harold, swore to help William become King. Harold had himself quickly crowned the day after he was offered the throne and began readying his armies for battle. Harold was certain William would invade and so he positioned his troops near the Isle of Wight and awaited William's attack.
Because it was farming season and there was little food were the army was positioned, the soldiers began to leave and the coast was left unguarded. Early in September King Harold heard news of his brother Tostig and Harald Hardrada landing in the North of England and so instead of waiting for William to invade Harold marched his troops to battle.
Harold defeated his brother and Hardrada on September twenty fifth. The battle took place in York, near Stamford Bridge. So many lives were lost it was said that the river flowing past turned red with blood. Harald had arrived with a massive army, but by the end of the day only thirty of his three hundred ships were needed to take remaining soldiers back to Norway. Both Harald and Tostig died in battle.
Upon winning, Harold heard that William had landed at Pevensey Bay in the South of England. Harold knew there would not be enough time to rest his troops and so they set out, once again, to battle.
The battle began on October fourteenth early in the morning. The Saxons (Harold's army) made a barrier with their shields. In an attempt to fool the Saxons, William has part of his army run away. This made some of the Saxons run after them and so the wall is broken. The Normans penetrated the wall only briefly before it was closed up once again.
It was getting late, the battle had been going for hours, when William had an inspired idea: why not have the archers shoot upwards and have the arrows go over their shields rather than having the arrows broken by the shields? The archers positioned and shot arrow up high into the sky, over the heads of the Saxons. Harold and many others look upwards and saw the arrows coming towards them, but it was too late and Harold was shot through the eye.
The battle was won, with Harold dying from excessive wounds caused by soldiers trampling him and mutilation from the Normans. William was crowned King of England on Christmas day at Westminster Abbey. William would go on to have significant relics of Medieval England made in his name: such as the Domesday book, the Bayeux tapestry and many important buildings.
The year 1066 is often referred to as one of the most important and remembered years in English history.
Harold Godwinson knew that William will be furious about him being King because he, Harold, swore to help William become King. Harold had himself quickly crowned the day after he was offered the throne and began readying his armies for battle. Harold was certain William would invade and so he positioned his troops near the Isle of Wight and awaited William's attack.
Because it was farming season and there was little food were the army was positioned, the soldiers began to leave and the coast was left unguarded. Early in September King Harold heard news of his brother Tostig and Harald Hardrada landing in the North of England and so instead of waiting for William to invade Harold marched his troops to battle.
Harold defeated his brother and Hardrada on September twenty fifth. The battle took place in York, near Stamford Bridge. So many lives were lost it was said that the river flowing past turned red with blood. Harald had arrived with a massive army, but by the end of the day only thirty of his three hundred ships were needed to take remaining soldiers back to Norway. Both Harald and Tostig died in battle.
Upon winning, Harold heard that William had landed at Pevensey Bay in the South of England. Harold knew there would not be enough time to rest his troops and so they set out, once again, to battle.
The battle began on October fourteenth early in the morning. The Saxons (Harold's army) made a barrier with their shields. In an attempt to fool the Saxons, William has part of his army run away. This made some of the Saxons run after them and so the wall is broken. The Normans penetrated the wall only briefly before it was closed up once again.
It was getting late, the battle had been going for hours, when William had an inspired idea: why not have the archers shoot upwards and have the arrows go over their shields rather than having the arrows broken by the shields? The archers positioned and shot arrow up high into the sky, over the heads of the Saxons. Harold and many others look upwards and saw the arrows coming towards them, but it was too late and Harold was shot through the eye.
The battle was won, with Harold dying from excessive wounds caused by soldiers trampling him and mutilation from the Normans. William was crowned King of England on Christmas day at Westminster Abbey. William would go on to have significant relics of Medieval England made in his name: such as the Domesday book, the Bayeux tapestry and many important buildings.
The year 1066 is often referred to as one of the most important and remembered years in English history.