Battle of Hastings - 1066

Key Players:

• William, Duke of Normandy (later known as William the Conqueror): Claimant to the English throne, leading the Norman-French forces.
• King Harold II of England: The last Anglo-Saxon king of England, recently crowned after the death of Edward the Confessor.

Background:

• Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 without a clear heir.
• Harold Godwinson was crowned king, but William of Normandy claimed Edward had promised him the throne.
• William prepared an invasion to assert his claim.

The Battle:

• Took place near Hastings, on the south coast of England.
• Harold's forces had just defeated another rival, Harald Hardrada of Norway, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in late September—so his army was tired and had marched quickly south to meet William.
• Harold’s army was mostly infantry, forming a shield wall on Senlac Hill.
• William’s army included infantry, cavalry, and archers—a more flexible and professional force.