1086 AD - The Normans Come to England
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It is now almost 20 years since the dreadful Normans came across the sea to invade our land. Our people have always been friendly with Normandy as we all came from Saxony and the Viking lands but at different times. As the old king named Edward the Confessor sank towards death there arose a fight as to who should be the next King of England. King Edward had no sons to follow him and the most powerful man in the kingdom was Harold the Earl of Wessex and he appeared the obvious choice. Many were jealous of Harold, including his own brother Tostig. On a trip to see friends in Normandy Harold was shipwrecked and then captured by a Norman lord named Guy de Ponthieu who handed him to his overlord Duke William of Normandy. Before allowing him to return to England the Duke made Harold promise that when old Edward died he would support Duke William in his claim for the English throne. William wanted England because it was much larger and much more fertile than his own lands. When the old man died some months later Harold broke his oath and claimed the English throne for himself. He was supported by most of the great Saxon landowners who made up the Witan which was the name of the Kings Council. On hearing this William prepared to invade and started building ships and collecting weapons and armour, food and men in the area around the ports of Honfleur and St.Valeray ready to cross the sea (the English Channel) In August of 1066 Tostig attacked his brother who was now King Harold from the north east. He had landed with King Harold Hardrada of Norway and was moving south with the Norwegian army. The English forces moved north and defeated the invaders after a fierce battle at Stamford Bridge which is near York. Within a very few days the victors had to move swiftly because Harold heard that William had landed his army on the south coast near Pevensey. They moved quickly and confronted William near the modern town of Hastings. Harold settled on a good hill-top position and waited for William and his men to attack. The best of the Saxon (English) fighters were Housecarls who were aided by the Fyrd which was made up of farmers and huntsmen. The total numbers were probably about 6000 men. William approached on lower ground with about 1000 knights who were mounted on horses, with 1000 archers and 2000 other men and at first was obviously in the worst position. Everyone has heard of the trick he played. His men pretended to loose heart and run away. Harold and his army followed and when they were down, off the hill, William turned his army and attacked. The Norman forces were better trained and equipped and eventually defeated the Saxons.
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