why did willam of normandy win the battle of hastings?

Question

why did willam of normandy win the battle of hastings?

Answer 1

The principal reasons were exhaustion and loss of discipline.

The armies were fairly evenly matched in terms of numbers. William had more cavalry but Harold had skilled infantry and the high ground (normally a key advantage) on Senlac Hill.

However, Harold had had to march his army from Stamford Bridge in modern day East Yorkshire following his victory over the invading Vikings led by Harald Hardrada.

This meant his men (lots of infantry) were tired and not looking forward to consecutive major battles.

Harold's infantry formed the renowned Shield Wall towards the top of the hill. This is a difficult formation to penetrate (even for cavalry). William's cavalry then made several false offensive moves (attacking then feigning retreat). Due to the tiredness of the Englishmen they soon lost their discipline and charged the cavalry in the centre of their lines. This created a significant rupture in the shield wall (rendering it useless) which the remaining cavalry exploited, rushing through to attack the English from the rear. The English infantry were driven down the hill into the advancing Norman infantry. They were trapped and massacred.

Contrary to popular belief, most historians agree that Harold II was killed by a sword thrust to the abdomen (not an arrow in the eye).

Answer 2

the in hardship-free words reason the Saxon forces lost on the conflict of Hastings develop into because of ill-self-discipline. The Norman military develop into always charging the Saxon forces, yet they were protecting their floor, laregly consequently shelter wall tactic and being on a hill. notwithstanding, the Norman Heavy Cavalry feigned a retreat and the Saxon authentic flank chased after them, regardless of being informed to carry the line. consequently, an entire flank develop into left open and the Saxon chasers were left stranded contained in the open even as they were annhilated through the cavalry. Then a similar cavarly charged the Saxons contained in the flank and there develop into no order there. That, coupled with a frontal attack, overpwoered the Saxon forces. Harold develop into extremely shot in a lengthy time period contained in the conflict even as he had to make his presence widely used on the frontline with the intention to advance the braveness and morale of the adult men. once he develop into killed, and the Saxon flank overwhelmed, the Saxons stood no probability. the important reason behind the shortcoming of the conflict develop into because the right flank tried to chase down the Norman forces that were feigning reatreat. Had that no longer got here about, then King Harold might want to have gained the day.

Answer 3

Because Williams army were fresh and ready to fight...Harolds army had just marched down to hastings after fighting another battle, and were nowhere near in as good condition

Answer 4

He had the stronger army perhaps and remember the other one got shot in the eye with an arrow which may have caused that army to rething and retreat.

Answer 5

Because poor old Harold got shot in the eye!

Answer 6

Because his army were ready to fight, Harolds had been fighting elsewhere and then marched to Hastings!

The main reason though was HAROLD WAS KILLED!

Answer 7

He came first

thats the best way to win a battle, you never win a battle by coming second

Answer 8

He had a bigger and stronger army.... he also tricked harolds army that he was retreating which led alot of his men to fall into a trap

Answer 9

Better team, better preparation, proper attitude. So what's new after 900 years?

Answer 10

Better armour, better training and a larger army.