Very few battles of the medieval period can be regarded as decisive but Hastings was certainly one of them. Fought on 14th October 1066 between Duke William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson, king of England, the outcome irrevocably changed the course of English history. William's victory was largely due to the tactical superiority of his forces: not only did he possess infantry and cavalry, but also a significant number of archers or crossbowmen, to whose withering fire the English could make little reply. The eventual death of King Harold prompted an English collapse the successful outcome ensuring William's accession to the English throne.
| ISBN: | 9781841761336 |
| Publication date: | 25th September 2000 |
| Author: | Christopher Gravett |
| Publisher: | Osprey Publishing an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 100 pages |
| Series: | Campaign |
| Genres: |
Local history War and defence operations European history: medieval period, middle ages Battles and campaigns Land forces and warfare |