In October 1066 near the English town of Hastings was one of the bloodiest battles of the Middle Ages.It was another link confrontation Normans and Anglo-Saxons.This battle, its outcome has had a tremendous impact on the future course of European history, proved disastrous for the British and King Harold II.In memory of future generations, it survived as the Battle of Hastings.
events preceding the battle
But before we start talking about the battle itself, say a few words about the events that preceded it was the reason for it.The fact that the leader of the Norman Duke William received from the former King Edward the Confessor oath that he would make him heir of the English crown.The reason for this was the fact that even before the accession to the throne Edward, having reason to fear for his life, spent 28 years in Normandy under the patronage of the Duke of that country.
However, when the danger was over, and Edward returned to England safely held on the throne tempered his destiny years, he forgot his vow, and dying, left no orders in favor of awaiting the promised crown Norman Duke William.After his death, he ascended to the English throne relative Edward - the new king of England Harold II.Like any deluded man, William protested, and the result of his anger began landing seven thousand Norman Army September 28, 1066 on the coast of England and became a British Crown for the tragic Battle of Hastings.
Norman Invasion
appearance of the Normans from the shores of Albion looked unusually impressive.According to contemporary accounts, they crossed the English Channel on a thousand ships.Even if this figure is somewhat exaggerated, still like the flotilla had to fill an all visible space, up to the horizon.
I must say that the Duke Wilhelm chose to invade a very opportune moment.Year of the Battle of Hastings was very hard for the British.Shortly before that they were fighting against other invaders - Norwegians.The English army won a victory over them, but was weary and needed rest, because its opponents were famous and fearless warriors - the Vikings.Battle of Hastings, was thus doubly hard for them.King Harold received a report about the invasion of William being in New York, where just doing replenish the reserves and other matters related to the army.
two strongest armies in Europe
Immediately after collecting all the power available to the monarch hastened to meet the enemy, and already on October 13 came close to the camp, divided by the Normans in the 11 kilometers from the town of Hastings.Prior to the beginning of the battle remained only a day - last day of King Harold II, and many of those who stood under its banners.
Raw autumn morning on the field, the peasants had been removed and because the bare and unattractive, agreed the two largest armies of Medieval Europe.Their numbers were about equal, but qualitatively they are strikingly different from each other.Army Duke William consisted mainly of professional soldiers, well armed, trained and had behind him a rich military experience.
Weaknesses army of King Harold
Unlike their opponents, the Anglo-Saxons have brought to the field of battle the army, the main part of which was staffed from the peasant militias, and only a small part of it were representatives of servicemen nobility and elite troops - the personal royalsquads.Only they were carrying two-handed swords, battle axes and spears, while armed militia consisted of the random items - peasant pitchforks, axes or just Dubin with stones tied to them.
And two more important lack of Anglo-Saxon army - she had no cavalry and archers.It's hard to say why, but in those days, moving on horseback, British dismounted before the fight and went on the attack only on foot.Also, it is obscure and lack of onions, this powerful and effective weapons of the Middle Ages.On top of all it should be noted that the rapid march across the country could not have been harassed and already weary former fighting forces.
day when the Battle of Hastings
So, everything is ready for a decisive battle.At 9 am on October 14, 1066 began the famous battle of Hastings.Briefly describe the situation of the two armies before its beginning, we need only note that the British lined up, pulling forward a well armed, but a few elite units, and their serried shields were poorly armed, though full of fighting spirit, the peasant militia.
Normans also built three combat columns, allowing them to carry out maneuvers in accordance with the situation.Their left flank consisted of Bretons, right - of French mercenaries, and in the center of the main forces were concentrated - heavy, armor-clad Norman knights led by the Duke.In front of the main forces were archers and crossbowmen, destroy the enemy before coming into contact with him.
Home
battle Battle of Hastings is surrounded with many legends and is now difficult to distinguish real events from the fiction.Thus, in some literature tells that it began with the traditional for that time of the match.Mighty Norman knight named Ivo summoned to a duel no less glorious warrior from the ranks of King Harold.Beating him in a fair fight, he said, according to the customs of the era, the Englishman cut off his head and took her as a trophy.So unfortunate for the Anglo-Saxons began the Battle of Hastings.Killed was not just one of the soldiers killed was the one who personified the whole army of King Harold.
Encouraged by this success the Normans were the first to fight.Reporter those years indicate that their archers and crossbowmen showered ranks of the Anglo-Saxons cloud of arrows and crossbow bolts, but hidden behind serried shields, standing in front of elite units, they were practically invulnerable.And then the Normans showed true skill shooting.They sent their arrows almost vertically upwards, and those described in the relevant air path, hit the enemy from above, inflicting considerable damage.
Attack heavy cavalry Normans
Another bright episode of the battle was a severe attack of the Norman cavalry.Clad in armor knights rushed forward, sweeping away everything in its path.But we must pay tribute to the courage of the British: they did not flinch before this avalanche of steel.As has been said your, their first rows were well-armed soldiers from the personal guards of the Duke.
At their disposal were the so-called Danish ax.It is specially made battle axes with handle up to six meters long.According to eyewitnesses, the impact such an instrument and dissected knight clad in armor and his horse.As a result of the Norman cavalry retreated, suffering substantial losses.
tactic of false retreat
But at this time on the left flank of the events took place, unexpected for the British.The Normans are very cleverly used the tactic of false retreat, showed great proficiency and coherence.Convincingly imitated in their ranks panic and retreat, Anglo Normans provoked unprepared to counter-attack, to upset their positions and be disastrous.
lure of the common fighting series a significant portion of the warriors, the Normans suddenly turned, embraced them tightly ring and destroy every single one.Unfortunately, the soldiers of King Harold did not do any of the conclusions of this failure that allowed opponents repeatedly similar trick.
death of King Harold
losses incurred by the British, certainly weakened their fighting capacity, but nevertheless they continued to enemy serious resistance, and it is unknown what would be the outcome was the battle of Hastings, if not for the accident, in many ways which caused the tragicEngland outcome of the battle.
Historical Chronicle tells the story of those years that the fearless King Harold II was seriously wounded by an arrow random.She drove into his right eye, but, according to the same chronicler, courageous warrior left the system - he tore his arms arrow and bleeding again rushed into the fray.But weakened by injury, he was soon butchered Norman knights.Almost simultaneously with him were killed and two of his brother, commanded the troops.
defeat and death of the Anglo-Saxon army
So, the king killed at the Battle of Hastings with his brothers.Anglo-Saxon army, left without commanders, lost the most important thing - the fighting spirit.As a result, a few minutes from the formidable army it has turned to the crowd, demoralized and fleeing.Normans overtook crazed with terror of people and killing them mercilessly.
So ingloriously for the English crown over the Battle of Hastings.King was killed, and his body was taken to cut by London for burial.He died and his brothers, and together with them on the field of battle were left lying thousands of soldiers who died for their king.British carefully about their history, and the place where many centuries ago, there was this battle, the monastery was founded, with its main altar of the temple is exactly where killed Harold II.
defeat, which gave impetus to the development of power
Having won at Hastings, Duke William sent his army into London and easily capture it.The Anglo-Saxon aristocracy was forced to acknowledge his right to the throne, and in December 1066 the coronation.According to modern research, these developments have dramatically changed the entire course of European history.With accession to the throne, Duke William took in the history of ancient and obsolete their terms Anglo-Saxon country, replaced by a centralized feudal monarchy, based on the strong royal power.
This was a powerful incentive that allowed England for a short time to become one of the most developed European nations.Despite the fact that the king was killed at the Battle of Hastings and his army was defeated, a defeat turned into unquestionable benefit to the state.There was one of the paradoxes that are so generous history.Ask yourself the question, "Who won the battle?" The answer is obvious - the Normans.And tell me, who eventually received from this historic benefit?English.So to answer the question of who won the battle of Hastings, should not rush.
reflection of this event in contemporary culture
This is a historic event that occurred nine and a half centuries ago, constantly arouses interest among scientists, people of art, and simply those who like to rummage in the dust of past centuries.In the literature it dedicated their works Heine and AK Tolstoy.Italian power metal band "Madzhesti" released in 2002 the album dedicated to this battle.It includes 12 tracks.A British filmmakers filmed two movies, the plots of which are based on the famous battle.
youth have become popular computer game created based on the story of this event.That's just his real name is often pronounced incorrectly, using the phrase "Battle of Hastings".However, it only costs a youth subculture.In general, such a wide interest in the history and events of bygone centuries is certainly very encouraging fact.
