Preparing for battle (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Preparing for battle
The crisis of 1066
When William learned about Harold Godwinson's coronation as King of England in January 1066, he was absolutely furious. William believed he had a legitimate claim to the English throne and felt betrayed by Harold's actions. In response, William sent a message to Harold demanding that he honour his oath to support William's claim. Harold completely ignored this message, but he knew that William would likely attempt an invasion to take the throne by force.
William's claim to the English throne was based on his assertion that Edward the Confessor had promised him the crown, and that Harold had sworn an oath to support this claim during a visit to Normandy. These competing claims to legitimacy would become the central justification for the Norman invasion.
Harold's military preparations
Building a naval force
Harold faced an immediate problem when preparing to defend England - he had virtually no navy of his own. As a newly crowned king, Harold had not inherited an established royal fleet, so his first priority was to assemble ships and sailors from across the country. This process took considerable time, but Harold eventually managed to create a substantial naval force to patrol the English coast and watch for William's invasion fleet.
The lack of an existing royal navy was one of Harold's greatest disadvantages. Unlike established kingdoms that maintained permanent fleets, Harold had to build his naval defences from scratch while under the immediate threat of invasion.
Gathering the army
Harold's military preparations involved assembling different types of fighters, each with their own strengths and limitations:
The thegns were Harold's most reliable supporters. These were wealthy nobles and lords who owed military service to their king. When called upon, the thegns would bring groups of ordinary fighting men with them, significantly boosting Harold's total forces.
The fyrd represented the backbone of Anglo-Saxon military organisation. This was essentially a militia system where ordinary men from local communities could be called up to fight in times of crisis. While the fyrd provided large numbers of soldiers, they were inexperienced fighters who lacked proper military training and equipment.
The housecarls were Harold's elite professional soldiers. These men were well-trained, well-armed, and completely loyal to their king. They formed the core of Harold's fighting force and could be relied upon in the most dangerous situations.
By May 1066, Harold had successfully assembled his navy and several thousand troops along England's south coast, particularly around the areas where a Norman invasion was most likely to land. Edwin and Morcar, two important earls who remained loyal to Harold, were positioned to guard northern England against any threats from that direction.
William's invasion preparations
Securing political support
Before William could even begin military preparations, he needed to convince his own nobles and followers that invading England was worth the enormous risks involved. Many Norman nobles thought the invasion was too dangerous and expensive. William had to work hard to persuade his vassals (men who had sworn loyalty to him) to provide soldiers for the campaign.
Crucially, William also gained the support of the Pope, who declared that Harold was a oath-breaker and that William's cause was just. This papal backing was extremely important because it meant that Norman knights could fight believing they had God's blessing.
Papal Support Was Game-Changing
The Pope's endorsement transformed William's invasion from a simple territorial conquest into a holy crusade. This religious backing not only motivated Norman fighters but also provided international legitimacy for the invasion, making it much easier for William to recruit allies and resources.
Building the invasion force
William's military preparations were extensive and well-organized. His invasion army eventually numbered around 7,000 soldiers, including both archers and cavalry - two types of fighters that Harold's forces lacked. This diverse army gave William significant tactical advantages in battle.
Naval logistics
Like Harold, William needed ships to transport his army across the English Channel. He ordered hundreds of ships to be built specifically for the invasion. This was a slow and expensive process that delayed the invasion for several months while the fleet was being constructed.
William also developed an innovative solution for controlling territory once he landed in England. His forces built pre-fabricated wooden castles that could be quickly assembled after landing. This meant that Norman troops could establish secure bases immediately upon arrival, rather than spending time building fortifications from scratch.
William's pre-fabricated castles were a revolutionary military innovation. These portable fortifications could be dismantled, transported across the Channel, and rapidly reassembled on English soil, giving the Normans immediate defensive positions and psychological advantages over local populations.
Harold's critical mistake
While William was busy assembling his army, building ships, and constructing pre-fabricated castles, Harold spent three long months waiting on the south coast with his assembled forces. This extended period of waiting created serious problems for the English king.
On 8 September 1066, Harold made a decision that would prove catastrophic - he disbanded his army and sent his soldiers home. Several factors forced this decision:
- Financial pressure: Harold's soldiers expected to be paid for their military service, and maintaining thousands of troops for months was extremely expensive
- Food shortages: Feeding such a large army for an extended period had exhausted local food supplies, leaving the soldiers hungry and dissatisfied
- Resource depletion: The cost of maintaining the army was draining Harold's royal treasury
- Harvest demands: The fyrd were ordinary farmers and labourers who needed to return home to bring in the autumn harvest, which was essential for England's food supply
Harold may have assumed that William's invasion preparations were taking longer than expected, and that it would be safe to let his army disband temporarily. This assumption would prove to be a terrible miscalculation.
Fatal Timing Error
Harold's decision to disband his army just weeks before William's invasion represents one of history's most consequential military miscalculations. The practical pressures forcing this decision were real and unavoidable, but the timing could not have been worse for England's defence.
Timeline of events
- January 1066: Harold Godwinson crowned King of England
- Early 1066: William begins invasion preparations after learning of Harold's coronation
- Spring 1066: Harold assembles his navy and army
- May 1066: Harold's forces positioned along the south coast
- Summer 1066: Both sides continue preparations while Harold's army waits
- 8 September 1066: Harold disbands his army due to resource constraints
- Late September 1066: Norman invasion fleet finally ready to sail
Key Points to Remember:
- Harold's biggest challenge was that he had no existing navy and had to build one from scratch to defend against Norman invasion
- Harold's army consisted of three main groups: loyal thegns, the local fyrd militia, and professional housecarls
- William needed papal support and had to convince reluctant Norman nobles before he could begin his invasion preparations
- William's innovation of pre-fabricated castles gave him a major advantage in quickly securing territory after landing
- Harold's decision to disband his army on 8 September 1066 was forced by practical problems but proved to be a fatal mistake in timing