Fought on 14th October 1066 between Duke William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson, king of England, the Battle of Hastings irrevocably changed the course of English history. William's victory ensured his accession to the English throne. Hastings was also decisive in another way: the horrendous casualties suffered by the English nobility both there and at the two earlier battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge resulted in there being very few men influential enough to lead an English resistance once William had been crowned. William would survive long enough to successfully found a Norman dynasty of English kings.
Very few battles of the medieval period can be regarded as decisive but Hastings was certainly one of them. Fought on 14 October 1066 between Duke William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson, king of England, the outcome of the battle irrevocably changed the course of English history. William's victory was largely due to the tactical superiority of his forces: not only did he possess infantry and cavalry, but also a significant number of his troops were archers or crossbowmen, to whose withering fire the largely spear and axe-armed English infantry could make little reply. The eventual death of King Harold, possibly as a result of being struck in the eye by an arrow and then cut down, prompted an English collapse and victory for the Normans. The successful outcome of the battle ensured William's accession to the English throne. Hastings was also decisive in another way: the horrendous casualties suffered by the English nobility both there and at the two earlier battles of Fulford and Stamford Bridge resulted in there being very few men influential enough to lead an English resistance once William had been crowned. Although significant rebellions did take place into the 1070s against William's rule, these were largely localised: lack of a national figure-head due to the combats of 1066 thus helped ensure, in the longer term, that William would survive long enough to successfully found a Norman dynasty of English kings. Christopher Gravett explains the events in and surrounding this great battle in this excellent Campaign title.

Hastings 1066: The Fall of Saxon England (Praeger Illustrated Military History)

History

Christopher Gravett

Military

Praeger Pub Text

The clear, simple text in this series of books explains how people lived, worked, ate, dressed, fought, and died. Each book is illustrated with contemporary paintings, manuscript illuminations and engravings, as well as rendered artwork reconstructions by experienced historical illustrators.

Warfare and Weapons

Education & Teaching

Schools & Teaching

Franklin Watts Ltd

Warfare and Weapons (Medieval World)

Children's Books

Depicting the world of a medieval knight, this book, is intended to excite a child's imagination as well as impart a world of knowledge.

The World of the Medieval Knight (Gift Books)

Hodder Wayland

Stunning cutaway views, brilliant panoramas and step-by-step sequences are all created by the illustrator Brett Breckon. His unique 'exploded views' reveal in colourful detail the intricate way the knight's armour was built. Discover how a page learned how to become a knight, how a knight's horse was armed, how a castle was attacked and defended, how heavy the knight's armour really was, and what happened to the role of the knight.

The World of the Medieval Knight

Brett Breckon

Hodder & Stoughton Childrens Division

"Eyewitness Guides" are a series of illustrated information books which integrate photographs with explanatory illustrations, maps, charts and text. This book looks at knights, their armour, battles, chivalry, jousting, heraldry, hawking and crusades.

Knight

DORLING KINDERSLEY CHILDREN'S

This book on castles transports readers back to the world of medieval fortifications to meet the people who built them and lived inside them. Readers explore the first earth-and-timber castles, take part in a siege, watch the community of lords and ladies, jesters, pages going about their daily lives - even peek into the Great Hall and deep down into the dungeons. The striking photography and well-researched, fact-packed text of this series has captivated young and older readers alike, and established the "Eyewitness Guides" series as the perfect way to learn.

DK Eyewitness Guides: Castle (DK Eyewitness Guides)

In this text, learn about such things as caltrops - nasty-looking spiked objects - which were sprinkled on battlegrounds to injure those who trod on them. Also, take a look at what the life of a knight was really like, from young squires learning the trade to weaponry, armour and battle.

Dorling Kindersley Child's P/B

Castle (DK Eyewitness Books)

Full-color photos. Take a look behind the walls of these fascinating fortresses and learn how they were built to house hundreds of people and animals; how a young boy rose from lowly page to noble knight; and what life was like for the castle residents.

Arts, Music & Photography

DK Children

CASTLE (DK Eyewitness Books)

Full-color photos. Take a look behind the walls of these fascinating fortresses and learn how they were built to house hundreds of people and animals; how a young boy rose from lowly page to noble knight; and what life was like for the castle residents.

Activities, Crafts & Games

DK Publishing

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Books by Christopher Gravett

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Christopher Gravett. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Hastings 1066: The Fall of Saxon England (Praeger Illustrated Military History)

Warfare and Weapons

Warfare and Weapons (Medieval World)

The World of the Medieval Knight (Gift Books)

The World of the Medieval Knight

Knight

DK Eyewitness Guides: Castle (DK Eyewitness Guides)

Knight

Castle (DK Eyewitness Books)

Castle (DK Eyewitness Books)