By Mr. L. Southgate Argoed High School

Why did I forget to do my homework? I was really tired I had just bought a new computer game. I am very forgetful. I didn’t find the homework very interesting. I didn’t write it in my planner. TASKS 1.Which is the most important reason? 2.Which is the least important reason?

Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?

William was lucky that the wind changed when it did. Harold Godwinson’s army was in the North of England having just fought Harald Hardrada’s army at Stamford Bridge. They faced another immense march south.

Harold’s army was tired and depleted after just marching south from Stamford Bridge. Williams army was fresh and ready for battle. Did you know? There were no trains, planes and most did not have horses. Harold’s faced a 250 mile March south.

William, although not in possession of the high ground, had better battle tactics and very clever ideas. What was William’s clever plan?

William’s army bore the banner of God and the Pope. Religion was very important to people then and many of Harold’s army would have been very scared of fighting against an army that had God on their side.

Not only were Harold’s army tired and depleted but many in his army were not properly trained. Harold recruited many peasants on his way back down to Hastings. For what reasons was Harold’s army depleted?

William was lucky that an arrow struck Harold in the eye. The battle may have continued if Harold was not killed. Did you know? Some Historians do not believe that Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye as the Bayeux Tapestry does not definitely show this. In fact some historians believe that Harold was not killed at all and spent the rest of his life living as a hermit near Chester.

Summary William won the battle of Hastings because: He had a very good army. He had very good battle tactics. He was lucky that the wind changed when it did. He was lucky that an arrow hit Harold in the eye (maybe) He had God and the Pope on his side

TASK Write a paragraph about why William won the Battle of Hastings by using the following keywords.

The main reason William won the Battle of Hastings was ……….. I think this was the most important because……….

Pictionary