The Battle of Hastings - 1066

The events surrounding the Battle of Hastings and the actual battle itself are well documented - but there are many misconceptions about the events! What claim did Duke William of Normandy have on the throne of England? Why did King Harold lose the Battle of Hastings? Was he a bad leader? Did he just have some bad luck? Was he betrayed? And where did the Vikings fit into the story of the Battle of Hastings? All of these questions are answered with Timelines, Eye Witness reports and Biographies of all the Leaders involved in the Battle of Hastings - 1066.

• Wessex and the Anglo-Saxons - Where was Wessex?
• Who were the Anglo-Saxons? Who was Alfred the Great? What were the 'Burhs' (Burghs) and why were they so important to Wessex?
• The Kings of England 871 - 1066
• The Claims to the Throne of England in 1066 following the death of King Edward the Confessor
• The Norman Claim to the English crown - Duke William the Bastard
• The Viking Claim to the English Throne - Hardrada
• The Harold Godwinson of Wessex claim
• The Claim of Edgar the Aetheling
• The Shipwreck and the Agreement between Harold and Duke William
• The Norman Holy Crusade

• England prepares for the Norman Invasion
• Duke William prepares at the River Dives
• The Viking Invasion
• Harold marches to York
• The Battle of Gate Fulford
• The Battle of Stamford Bridge
• The Norman Invasion begins

The Battle of Hastings -1066

• Contenders for the English throne led to the Battle of Hastings
• Harold's Pledge to Duke William of Normandy
• William obtains the Pope's approval to attack England
• Norman preparation for the Invasion - a Holy War
• King Harold prepares for battle against the Normans
• Treachery! Earl Tostig plots with King Hardrada of Norway
• The Vikings Invade! The Battle of Fulford
• The Battle of Stamford Bridge
• The Norman Invasion - Preparations at Dives
• Duke William Lands at Pevensey - The Normans Invade England
• King Harold Receives News Of The Norman Invasion at York
• King Harold Gathers an army In London
• Duke William Builds a Pre-Built Castle at Pevensey
• The Norman Invaders March To Hastings
• King Harold's Noble Strategy
• King Harold at Senlac (Re-Named Battle), near Hastings
• Duke William enters negotiations with the Saxons
• The Battle Of Hastings Dawns
• Duke William prepares for the Battle of Hastings
• Duke William raises The Papal Standard
• Duke William issues battle orders
• King Harold Prepares For Battle
• King Harold issues his battle orders
• The Normans advance
• The two armies meet
• The Battle Of Hastings
• The Battle Of Hastings rages from 9am to 3pm
• King Harold is Shot above the eye
• The Norman's Strategy deceives the Saxons
• The Story of the Saxon Knight
• The Story of the Norman Knight
• The Saxon Barricades are broken
• Duke William in battle
• The Normans close ranks on the Saxons
• The wounded King Harold is killed by the Normans
• The English Retreat at the Battle of Hastings
• The Normans win the Battle of Hastings
• The aftermath of the Battle of Hastings
• The Burial of King Harold
• Review of the Battle of Hastings