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Contemporary sources do not give reliable data on the size and composition of Harold's army, although two Norman sources give figures of 1.2 million or 400,000 men. [48] Recent historians have suggested figures of between 5000 and 13,000 for Harold's army at Hastings, [49] but most agree on a range of between 7000 and 8000 English troops.
After the death of Harold Godwinson, his mother, Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, took refuge in Exeter, which then became the main focus in the West Country of resistance to Norman rule. Gytha had considerable wealth and hoped for the arrival of Harold's three sons, Godwin, Edmund and Magnus, who had gone to Ireland to raise an army. [2]
As the household troops of Harold Godwinson, the housecarls had a crucial role as the backbone of Harold's army at Hastings. Although they were numerically the smaller part of Harold's army, their possibly superior equipment and training meant they could have been used to strengthen the militia, or fyrd, which made up most of Harold's troops ...
Battle of Hastings Part of the Norman Conquest Harold Rex Interfectus Est: "King Harold is killed". Scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings and the death of Harold. Date 14 October 1066 Location Hailesaltede, near Hastings, Sussex, England (today Battle, East Sussex, United Kingdom) Result Norman victory Belligerents Duchy of Normandy Kingdom of England Commanders and ...
On 14 October, Harold, leading an army of between 5,000 and 13,000 troops, confronted the Norman army at the Battle of Hastings. There, he was decisively defeated and killed in action, allowing for William to march on London and take control over all of England as part of the Norman Conquest. [25]
Harold and his army were in York following their victory against the Norwegians at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (25 September 1066) when the news reached him. He decided to set out without delay and confront the Norman army in Sussex so marched southwards at once, despite the army not being properly rested following the battle with the Norwegians.
The 11th-century coin trove, known as the Chew Valley Hoard, is now England’s most valuable treasure find, revealing new information about the historical transition following the Norman Conquest.
Harold, accompanied by his brothers Gyrth and Leofwine, commanded an army that was now badly overtired and proved unable to withstand the repeated Norman attacks. By the end of the day Harold's army was comprehensively defeated, all three brothers were dead, and the ruin of Anglo-Saxon England was accomplished. [20] [33]