1066

1066

- Edward the Confessor died- Harold Godwinson got given the throne- William  (Duke of Normandy) was mad and invaded England he thought he was promised the throne - Harald Hadrada of Norway was mad- Harald H and Tostig (Harold's Brother) invaded north of England - Harold Godwinson surprised Harald Hardrada's forces as they rested outside York. Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed and the invading forces defeated. Harold had recovered Northumbria but his army was considerably weakened- William's invasion was a fleet of ships carrying about 5,000 warriors, horses, arms and supplies left France- William Duke of Normandy landed at Pevensey in the South of England and began a march towards Hastings where a wooden fort was built. Harold Godwinson's weakened army were forced to march rapidly South- Harolds Army were tired, Harold ordered his Saxon army to make a shield wall at the top of the hill. William's army made the first attack but were held off by the shield wall. Successive attacks by the Normans continued to be held off by the shield wall. Some time later, however, some Saxons thought they heard a cry that William had been killed. The Saxon's believing that they had won the battle, broke the shield wall and chased the retreating Normans down the hill. This gave the Norman horseman the opportunity they had been waiting for. Charging into the Saxon foot soldiers they cut them down before riding up the hill to break the remnants of the shield wall.

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