The Battle of Hastings

The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, was one of the most decisive battles in English history. William, Duke of Normandy, defeated and killed King Harold Godwinson, opening the way for the Norman Conquest of England. Understanding the events, tactics, and reasons for the outcome is essential for AQA GCSE History.

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William's Landing

William had been waiting in Normandy for favourable winds since August. On 28 September 1066, the wind finally changed, and William's fleet of approximately 700 ships crossed the English Channel. His army of around 7,000–8,000 men landed at Pevensey Bay in Sussex.

William immediately built a motte-and-bailey castle at Pevensey and then moved to Hastings, where he built another fortification. He also began ravaging the surrounding countryside — burning farms and villages. This was a deliberate strategy to force Harold to come south quickly rather than wait and gather a larger army.

Key Term: William's strategy of chevauchée (devastating an area to provoke a battle) was effective because Harold's own family estates were in Wessex. Harold could not allow William to destroy his lands unopposed.

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Harold's March South