Subject knowledge
Who would succeed Edward the Confessor?
January 1066: Edward the Confessor dies leaving no direct heir to the English throne. Three men believed they had a right to succeed Edward: HAROLD GODWINSON - Earl of Wessex, powerful and rich. - Claimed Edward had named him his successor on his deathbed. - On the day of Edward's death, Harold is acclaimed King by the Witenagamot and crowned King of England. HARALD HARDRADA - King of Norway and Viking warrior. - Claimed his right to the throne through his ancestor, King Cnut, being King of England 1016-1035. - Had the support of Harold's exiled brother Tostig. WILLIAM DUKE OF NORMANDY - Powerful Duke of Normandy. - Claimed William had promised him the throne in 1051. - The only blood relative of Edward, but the English throne was not hereditary at this time. - Had papal support. - Bayeux Tapestry: States that Harold promised to help William become King of England. Battle January 1066: Harold is crowned King of England. Fearing invasion, he places himself and his army on the South coast of England awaiting the attack of William. Stormy weather detains William and his fleet, and by 8 September Harold disbands his troops due to lack of supplies. 20 September 1066: Harald Hardrada lands in Yorkshire and defeats the English Earls Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria at the Battle of Fulford. Harold hears the news and immediately recalls his troops and head North. 25 September 1066: The Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold storms north, covering 190 miles in just four days and completely surprising Hardrada. Godwinson defeats Harald and Tostig in a long and bloody battle. Only 24 of the 300 Norwegian ships were needed to return the survivors. 28 September 1066: William and a fleet of 400 longships land unopposed at Pevensey and travel to Hastings where he raids the surrounding area and builds a castle. Instead of starving the invaders out, Harold moves quickly hoping to repeat his success from Stamford Bridge. Harold waits only five days for his troops to mobilise before heading South. He arrives in Hastings on the 13 October, his men exhausted. 14 October 1066: The Battle of Hastings. Battle began at 9am, William with cavalry, archers and infantry, Harold with foot soldiers and just a few archers. Harold formed a shield wall along the ridge which the Normans were unable to penetrate. Word spread of the death of William, causing panic and the retreat of the Norman forces. William pulled back his helmet to reveal he was alive, and his forces turned back on the English who's shield wall had now broken apart. William ordered his archers to aim high, and Harold takes an arrow to the eye and is killed. William the Conqueror Coronation: William is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey on the 25 December 1066. The Harrying of the North: William brutally ends rebellion in the North. Castles: William begins the process of building hundred of castles across England, altering the geographical landscape of Britain forever and securing his power over the realm. Questions for pupils to consider
Who had the most valid claim to the throne? Why has 1066 become the most famous date in British history? How did society change after the Norman Conquest? |
Teaching ideas/pedagogy
a.) Tapestry jigsaw: using pieces of the Bayeux Tapestry and captions put together the events of 1066 as seen from the Norman perspective. b.) Why did William win the Battle of Hasting? Discuss with a partner and decide what you think the most plausible reason is. Students could be guided with reasons: 1.) Logistics and circumstances 2.) Harold's mistakes 3.) Generalship 4.) William was lucky 5.) Papal support c.) Groups are each given one of the three claimants to the English throne and are asked to produce an election campaign. Groups could devise speeches, create posters and design leaflets detailing why they should be voted for and what their claim to the throne is. d.) Historical enquiry into the life of a peasant during the Norman Conquest. How did it feel to be a peasant at this time? Complete a paragraph or diary entry detailing why. HOMEWORK: Complete a cartoon strip of the Battle of Hastings. Fun overview of the Battle of Hastings through the Bayeux Tapestry
Three-part documentary on the Norman Conquest, background and aftermath.
KEY TERMINOLOGY Succeed Coronation Papal support Fyrd Peasant Nobility Chronicler Oath Witenagamot |