1. Pre-reading task.
Remember the most important battles in the British history
and make up a spidergram of the collected information.
2. Reading task.
Read the story about of the struggle between Harold the Second of England
and Duke William of Normandy. Make up questions of different types to each paragraph of the story.
1066 : THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS
1. The beginning of the trouble
At the beginning of 1066, Edward the Confessor ruled
England. He was 61 years old, and was dying. King Edward had no children, so
succession was difficult. There was no direct heir to the English throne. King
Edward died on January 5th - in the first week of the new year. As King Edward
had no children, it was uncertain who would rule next. Edward died without
making it clear who should become the next king. This caused the trouble
because many people claimed the throne.
2. The lead up to Battle
Harold Godwinson claimed the throne. He said Edward had named him as his
succession. He was a brave and respected
leader of men, but he was not a direct heir to the throne.
Harold could not become King just from King Edward's
dying words; he had to be declared King by the Witan . He managed to get the
support of most of the Witan quickly, and was soon crowned King. Harold was now in charge, but the kingdom was
not secure. He had to get ready to
defend himself.
3. The Reaction
The other claimants were furious. They each felt they had the rightful claim to
the throne. Harold Hardrada,the ruthless Viking, set sail for England.Tostig
joined up with him and they landed in Northumbria [see the arrow on the map].
Harold Hardrada defeated the local English army in a battle
at Fulford Gate. He now thought he
controlled the area.
The new King (Harold Godwinson) was determined to stop
him. He marched north, recruiting men to
help him fight.
They met at Stamford Bridge on 25th September
1066. This was to be a vital battle to
decide which Harold would rule.
4. The Battle of Stamford Bridge
King Harold arrived early in the morning on Monday
25th September 1066. He had rushed to
the scene. The Vikings had not expected
him so soon. King Harold managed to
surprise them. However, while King Harold concentrated on the Viking invasion,
Duke William had already begun his own invasion on the South Coast. Using his
surprise attack King Harold's forces cut the Vikings to pieces. Harold Hardrada took an arrow full in his chest. It was a tremendous victory for King Harold.
The Viking invasion force had arrived in 300
ships. They were so badly defeated that
the survivors limped home in just 24! King Harold was ecstatic. He had defended his kingdom.
5. Trouble in The South
While King Harold and his men were still celebrating
their fantastic victory,news arrived about Duke William's forces landing in the
south.
While King Harold had been concentrating on the
Vikings, Duke William had set sail and crossed 50 miles from Normandy to the
English southcoast.
He landed at Pevensey Bay on September 28th. Duke William built a fort and camped at
Hastings. King Harold had already smashed the Vikings, and now he decided to do
the same to the Normans. However, they were at the other end of the country!
King Harold and his troops marched 250 miles in 9 days. An incredible effort!
6. Preparing for the battle
King Harold rushed south, and camped at the top of
Senlac Hill about 5 miles from Hastings.
The next day (October 14th) the Normans began forming
a battle line at the bottom of the hill. The two armies shouted insults and
taunts at each other. The two armies were roughly the same size, but there were
important differences between them. Senlac Hill was a good defensive position.
King Harold knew the Normans had knights on
horseback. They would find it difficult
to fight uphill. Streams on either side
of the hill made it difficult to surround King Harold's forces.
Harold and his men were in a better position. However, Harold didn't have his best forces -
many were injured or just exhausted after the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
7. The battle commences
It was 14th October 1066. There was a slight mist all around. It was about 9.30 am. England would never be the same again.
Duke William ordered his archers to fire at the Saxon
shield wall. The Norman cavalry
attacked. The shield wall was strong.
The Normans suffered heavy casualties fighting uphill. There was fierce fighting on both sides. The
noise was incredible! Again and again
the Normans attacked the Saxon shield wall.
Again and again both sides battered each other.
Around midday, some of the Normans began to retreat
due to the fierce fighting. Some of the
Saxons got excited - they sensed victory- and ran after them down the hill.
Suddenly a rumour went round that Duke William was
dead - the Normans were worried! William
shouted to his soldiers and showed his face to prove he was not dead. The small
Saxon force who ran down the hill was quickly surrounded by horses. They were
slaughtered.
8. The battle nears the end
The fighting continued through the afternoon. The Normans had to find a way to get through
the shield wall. Duke William had seen how some of the Saxons had run after the
retreating Normans. He thought this
might be the solution.
Duke William ordered some of his forces to pretend to
retreat. The Norman cavalry charged at
the shield wall, just as they had done all day.
Suddenly the Normans turned and fled down the hill. The Saxons thought
the Normans were finished. The chased
them down the hill. The ambush had
worked!
9. The end of the Battle
The Saxon Housecarls were drawn out of position, and
the shield wall was broken. More and
more arrows were fired high into the air by the Normans.
Now the main Saxon defence had been broken, the
battlefield was in chaos. There was
brutal and vicious fighting from both sides. The Saxons still fought bravely.
The Norman attacks were now successful.
The archers were causing casualties, and the Saxons were in trouble.
King Harold Godwinson was killed. The Saxons continued to fight, but without
their leader there was little chance. Most Saxons bravely fought on until they
died. Some fled when they saw there was
no hope.
The Normans suffered heavy losses at the 'Fosse'. This is where Saxons fought back strongly,
even though they were defeated. The Normans had won the Battle!
/William Bertrand/
After reading tasks
1. Complete the sentences and comment on the event from
the story.
- As King Edward had no children....................................................
- Harold could not become King.......................................................
- The other claimants were furious. They each felt.........................
- King Harold managed to surprise them. However, .......................
- The two armies were roughly the same size,..................................
- The noise was incredible! ..............................................................
- Now the main Saxon defence had been broken,............................
- The Saxons continued to fight, .....................................................
2. Make up a map of the events of the story.
Present it to Ukrainian pupils as if you
were an Engish
historican.
3. Write a summary of the story as if you were a
witness of it.
4. Act out a dialogue between:
- two
Saxon soldiers
- two Norman soldiers
5. Write an
essay about any decisive historical event of your country and express your
attitude to it. Explain why
you consider it to be crucial. Give specific reasons for your choice.
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