Harold Vs William

Question 1

why did Harold decide to head straight back south to fight William instead of resting

Answer 1

he had heard new that William was destroying some southern villages and heading towards London.

Question 2

how many soldiers did Harold have and of what type

Answer 2

7,000 Fyrd

Question 3

what specialist soldiers did Harold have

Answer 3

housecarls and thegns

Question 4

what sort of armament did Harold have

Answer 4

axes, pikes, large circular shields, housecarls had armour, peasants had pitchforks and armour and weapons taken from fallen soldiers

Question 5

what was Harolds battle technique

Answer 5

shield wall (interlocking shields and using axes)

Question 6

where was Harold’s army

Answer 6

at the top of Senlac hill

Question 7

what was Harolds previous battle experience

Answer 7

he was an experiences general and had successfully fought against the Welsh and the Vikings

Question 8

what was the state of Harolds army

Answer 8

Exhausted, they had marched North 300km in 4 days, fought Harald on the 25th Sept, marched back South, arrived in London on the 6th Oct and left London again on the 11th Oct to fight William

Question 9

what support did Harold have

Answer 9

most Anglo-Saxons, some of his brothers and the Witan

Question 10

how many soldiers did William have and what type

Answer 10

around 7,000 trained mercenary

Question 11

what specialist soldiers did William have

Answer 11

knights on horseback, trained from the age of three with horses trained to kick and bite in battle

Question 12

what sort of armament did William have

Answer 12

bows, large tear-shaped shields that covered chin to knee, pikes and armour

Question 13

what was William’s battle technique

Answer 13

infantry attacking on foot, archers to wear down the enemy, cavalry with lances including William also on horseback. the divisions communicated with flags to change tactic mid battle

Question 14

where was William positioned

Answer 14

the base of Senlac hill (he arrived first) on an important road with marshy land either side.

Question 15

why was the road important

Answer 15

harold had to use it to get to William and William had to use it to get to London

Question 16

what was William’s previous battle experience

Answer 16

He had conquered many areas around Normandy, even so far as Sicily

Question 17

what was the state of William’s army

Answer 17

well rested and supplied. they had already built a castle when they landed, had gone around the South coast burning and looting villages. They had several days to rest and prepare before Harold arrived and they had brought plenty of Horses and supplies.

Question 18

what extra support did William have

Answer 18

young king Philip I of France and the Pope (papal banner) and therefore the support of God