Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?

Harold
1. Successes
  1. He demanded for ships and seaman from around the country and he got them.
  2. Harold made orders for his army to become bigger and stronger and he was able to raise several thousand by May.
  3. Harold and his army won the battle of Stamford Bridge, which would give his army and himself confidence for the battle against William
  4. Harold chose to surprise William like he did in the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
  5. Harold took seize on top of a hill, which gives him a better advantage.
  6. The shield which the soldiers of held to prevent the archers shooting them was a firm protection.
  7. The English battle- axes were effective in this kind of fighting.
  8. Harold's preparation was good, however he is was unlucky because he had to batter against his brother Tostig.
2. Mistakes
  1. His soldiers waited and waited for the Normans to come and fight, this is because Harold left them waiting.
  2. Harold moved his army just as Tostig and Harald came in from the north east coast of Scotland.
  3. Harold over worked his army, when he decided to fight the battle against Tostig and Harald and then went down to fight William, his army would have been exhausted.
    1. Harold would have also lost men to that battle, therefore his army would have decreased while William's army was fine and already building a castle by the coast.
  4. Harold bought his army closer to William, however... (look at successes)
3. At the beginning Harold looked like he had the greater power and would win.
William
1. Successes
  1. William took his time to build his army up and he ended up having a super strong one with archers.
  2. William's army built pre- fabricated castles to take to England.
  3. William got support from the Pope, and he was given a papel banner.
  4. He got Harold to come closer to him for battle.
  5. William had archers and cavalry.
  6. William had better tactics.
2. Mistakes
  1. William didn't have a navy so he had to get people to build ships, which took time.
Luck
1. William came to England when Harold was finished his battle at Stamford Bridge.
2. William was lucky that he wasn't killed while on a horse.
3. They both had two rivals and Harold killed one of William's rivals, which means that William didn't lose any men.
4. William was lucky because the weather was good, as in the winds pushed him towards the coast of England.

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Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?

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	Created by Sara Elizabeth Kemp over 6 years ago