It is undoubtedly certain that William the Conqueror’s weapons and tactics were by far more effective than Harold Godwinson’s strategies. The different types of weapons the Normans used at the Battle of Hastings were weapons no Englishman had ever seen used in battle before like the powerful ranged crossbow. The Normans had specially trained warriors called knights who wore chainmail armour and rode on horseback, the knights were the first of the English to fight on horseback so this gave the Normans an advantage over Harold's army. As well as their weapons Historians believe that they also made good tactical decisions in battle. During the battle of Hastings when William was trying to break through Harold’s shield wall he ordered his men to …show more content…
When William the Conqueror’s attention got brought towards Harold he kept Harold as a guest, although some people think he kept Harold as a prisoner. At some point, while Harold was kept there William took the opportunity to make Harold take an oath that he would marry William’s daughter. This made sure that William the conqueror would at some point become the king of England through the bloodline. Once he took the oath Harold was finally allowed to return to England. Before Harold left Normandy he swore another oath. Harold took an oath of loyalty to William in front of many Norman lords and Harold said he would do all that was required of him. After this William was impressed with Harold and he took Harold with him when he launched an attack against Conan, the count of Brittany at the time. Harold received gifts from William like weapons and horses as William was thankful for how Harold helped him out. Finally, Harold returned to England and William thought he had the crown of England in the grasp of his hand. When the king at the time, Edward the Confessor, passed away Harold was crowned the new king of England since he was somewhat related to the king. When William heard about this he was outraged since Harold broke his oath and this caused him to despise
One reason why William won the Battle of Hastings was because of his preparation and readiness for the battle. His army were provided with cavalry that were trained to kick, bite and head-butt. This is shown in the Bayeux Tapestry and source 3 where there are soldiers seen fighting on horses. I know that William’s half-brother organised the creation of the tapestry so the information on it is likely to be accurate. This meant William won the Battle of Hastings because he had an extra weapon that the English didn’t have therefore could surprise them, attack and leave more damage.
Henry II (1133 - 1189) was the grandson of Henry I, but only became king after having invaded England in 1153 and forcing his second cousin, King Stephen to make him heir. He was only able to invade due to his marriage with Eleanor of Aquitaine, as it made him Lord of Aquitaine and gave him more power and influence in France. His succession to the throne in 1154 made him commander of an empire which stretched from northern Scotland to south-western Europe. He made various significant changes to the empire during his rule. He controlled the power of the Church and set in place various legal reforms which became the basis for the legal system still used today. He was known for being ruthless and having a very bad temper, which were some of the
William was a better leader because although Harold had the upper hand in the battle and they were losing, William managed to outwit and defeat the English. In the Bayeux Tapestry there is a scene depicting that in the days preceding the
While Richard left England to oversee the progress of his foreign war, Henry and the other nobles began plans to take Richard's kingdom. This was a crucial mistake on Richard's part. By not taking care of issues on the domestic front, Richard's followers and soldiers grew increasingly weary of his ability to lead and be an effective king, eventually siding with Henry. Henry proceeded to capture Bristol Castle, a stronghold of Richard's and began his plans on being ordained future king.
However, Edward did something very odd—he promised the crown to William, Duke of Normandy—a cousin through Edward’s mother, Emma. This perplexingly odd promise was made even stranger when, according to the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold was shipwrecked off the coast of Normandy and brought to stay at the court of William. There he supposedly swore an unbreakable oath, giving William his loyalty and support in his path to the crown. He returned to England. Yet when the king died, his dying words seemed to be appointing Harold “protector” of England, which was interpreted as “king”. So Harold was named the king, breaking his supposed promise to William. Furious, William invaded England. Freshly crowned, Harold was not only dealing with this Norman threat, but also an invading Norwegian Viking army, led by Harald Hardrada, who, like William, also believed he had a claim to the throne. Harold easily defeated Harald’s forces at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (near York), but then was forced to drive his tired, bedraggled army to Hastings to confront the invading Norman troops. There, at the famed Battle of Hastings, William became William the Conqueror, decisively defeating the English, killing Harold, and winning the crown.
William was already good and experienced at ruling so thus should be no problem for him. William was already the ruler of Normandy and was doing a great job so being ruler of England wouldn’t be a
Arguably the most important factor in the exertion of power over the English was the ability by the Normans to act militarily. The warlike attitude of the Normans, combined with the religious aspects that will be discussed later, provided them with a ready and capable army with which to support William’s claim to the throne. The early years of William’s rule, after the 1066 defeat of Harold, emerged as a sort of military occupation within England by the Normans. These years were crucial in the Norman advance within England. When William came to England he arrived with a large support of military men and much of these supporting military men remained in England because of their military duties. This army aided William not only in the initial battle against Harold, but later as well, through their
Upon his return to England, Marshall is welcomed into the King’s military household. War, counsel and command were now his daily life. William is a common figure in the court and currently does not have a prominent status. Marshall faithfully serves King Henry II during the last years of his reign. The King has two heirs to the throne in Richard and John. This presents a problem of sorts for Henry. Richard, the most capable and competent, appears destined to descend the throne. Henry would prefer John in succeeding him as king, however he realizes that Richard is by far the most qualified and prolific of the two. Toward the end of Henry’s rule, Richard rebels against his father, joining Phillip II of France. The two begin a series of battles against the King. During this time period, William remains faithful to Henry. Marshall inevitably realizes that his current enemy may well become his future king. This conflict does not influence William’s fidelity for his King. His loyalty to Henry remains in tact and is not compromised despite the fact that treason might have seemed advantageous to him at the time. These wars coupled with his bitter relationship with Richard take a heavy toll on the King. In 1189, Henry’s health gradually deteriorates until he eventually dies.	
William’s father went on a pilgrimage in 1034 to release his sins. While returning home from his journey, he died suddenly. Having no other heir, William took his place as Duke of Normandy.
Despite the support from The Witan, Harold’s claim to the throne is problematic due to an oath. It is believed that Harold had made an oath to William Duke of Normandy, that he would help secure the throne for William upon Edward’s death. William profoundly believed that he would be the new King of England upon Edward’s death. It never occurred him that he would have to conquer England, in the words of Howarth. William’s relation to Edward, the promise Edward allegedly made, and Harold’s oath was security to William. The Norman’s angst against Harold as
There is a critical difference between the two countries that seems to have heavily contributed to the reason William won, and Harold lost. Although his troops were fighting on their home soil, they simply were not as warlike and aggressive as the Normans, and were doomed to failure.
During the Elizabethan time there were a variety of weapons used for defence and leisure. Despite the end of the medieval times, many of its weapons were still in use (Mahabal). Because of this, the Queen pushed to have new, modern weapons be created in case of a war. The threat of a war was real because of the constant dispute between the Catholic Spanish and the French (Alchin). Most of the weaponry that came to be happened to influence English history forever such as the Rapier, the musket, and the cannon.
His dream to be a knight took over him. His “slaves” are loyal to him even though they knew he wasn’t part of a royal family. Also, when William’s secret came out, Prince Edward did not kill him. Yet, he hailed him a knight. Prince Edward said that William performed all of the knightly things.
William arrived at Torbay, on November 5th 1688 ready to fight for the throne. He was a brave man, for James II’s army was double the size of William’s army. Although it didn’t matter because James II’s army was deserting to the other side, James II army had abandoned him. When William of Orange was welcomed into London, James II fled to France in disguise. Parliament claimed that by abandoning his country, the king had abdicated and the throne was now left vacant. On February 6th 1689 Mary and William became King and Queen of England.
1. “Cease to look upon Edmund as the enemy of your house; look upon him as a son, and make him so indeed!—How say you, Sir Philip? My son!—Yes, my Lord; give him your daughter: He is already your son in filial affection! Your son William and he are sworn brothers; what remains but to make him yours? He deserves such a parent, you such a son; and you will by this means, ingraft into your family, the name, title, and estate of Lovel, which will be entailed on your posterity for ever.” — The Old English Baron, 110