Battle of Hastings AD1066 - Phase 1 - Background History
Background history prior to the invasion of England in AD1066.
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Anglo Saxon Chronicles
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AD1066. This year came King Harold from York to Westminster, on the Easter succeeding the midwinter when the king (Edward)
died. Easter was then on the sixteenth day before the calends of May. Then was over all England such a token seen as no man ever
saw before. Some men said that it was the comet-star, which others denominate the long-hair'd star. It appeared first on the
eve called 'Litania major', that is, on the eighth before the calends off May; and so shone all the week.
Soon after this came in Earl Tosty from beyond sea into the Isle of Wight, with as large a fleet as he could get; and he was there
supplied with money and provisions. Thence he proceeded, and committed outrages everywhere by the sea-coast where he could
land, until he came to Sandwich. When it was told King Harold, who was in London, that his brother Tosty was come to Sandwich, he
gathered so large a force, naval and military, as no king before collected in this land; for it was credibly reported that
Earl William from Normandy, King Edward's cousin, would come hither and gain this land; just as it afterwards happened.
There met him Harold, King of Norway, with three hundred ships. And Tosty submitted to him, and became his man. Then came
King Harold to Sandwich, where he awaited his fleet; for it was long ere it could be collected: but when it was assembled,
he went into the Isle of Wight, and there lay all the summer and the autumn. There was also a land-force every where by
the sea, though it availed nought in the end. It was now the nativity of St. Mary, when the provisioning of the men
began; and no man could keep them there any longer. They therefore had leave to go home: and the king rode up, and the
ships were driven to London; but many perished ere they came thither.
When the ships were come home, then came Harald, King of Norway, north into the Tine, unawares, with a very great
sea-force no small one; that might be, with three hundred ships or more; and Earl Tosty came to him with all those that
he had got; just as they had before said: and they both then went up with all the fleet along the Ouse toward York.
When it was told King Harold in the south, after he had come from the ships, that Harald, King of Norway, and Earl
Tosty were come up near York, then went he northward by day and night, as soon as he could collect his army. But,
ere King Harold could come thither, the Earls Edwin and Morkar had gathered from their earldoms as great a force as
they could get, and fought with the enemy. They made a great slaughter too; but there was a good number of the English
people slain, and drowned, and put to flight: and the Northmen had possession of the field of battle.
It was then told Harold, king of the English, that this had thus happened. And this fight was on the eve of St. Matthew
the apostle, which was Wednesday. Then after the fight went Harold, King of Norway, and Earl Tosty into York
with as many followers as they thought fit; and having procured hostages and provisions from the city, they proceeded
to their ships, and proclaimed full friendship, on condition that all would go southward with them, and gain this land.
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Battle Abbey Chronicles
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Bayeux_Tapestry
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Carmen de Triumpho Normannico
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But for a long time your leading the fleet across the Channel
Is barred by storms and constant rain
While you stand in the offing for a favourable wind
And gusting east winds curl the surging waves
At last quitting your coast
You turn the fleet to another shore
From antiquity the port of Vimeu has been renowned
That fortified port on the mouth of the Somme
Here the delay is long and irksome for you
For fifteen days you occupy these regions
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Florence of Worcester
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Henry of Huntingdon
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Master Wace
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The fame of the Norman duke soon went forth through many lands; how he meant to cross the sea
against Harold, who had taken England from him. Then soldiers came flocking to him, one by one, two
by two, and four by four ; by fives and sixes, sevens and eights, nines and tens ; and he retained them
all, giving them much and promising more. Many came by agreement made with them beforehand ;
many bargained for lands, if they should win England ; some required pay, allowances and gifts ; and
the duke was often obliged to give at once to those who could not wait the result.
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William of Jumièges/Orderic Vitalis(Gesta)
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While however the attention of the English was diverted
by the invasion of Yorkshire, and by (rod's permission they
neglected, as I have already mentioned, to guard the coast,
the Norman fleet, which for a whole month had been waiting
for a south wind in the mouth of the river Dive and the
neighbouring harbours, took advantage of a favourable
breeze from the west to gain the roads of St. Valeri.
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William of Malmesbury
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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Quedam Exceptiones de Historia Normannorum et Anglorum
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Everything having been prepared, he set forth for England together with his fleet, propelled by a steadily blowing following wind,
and landed at Peneuesel, where at once he restored the most strongly entrenched fortification and, entrusting it to his soldiers,
he went to Hastings and there established another fortification.
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Phases of the Battle of Hastings 1066AD
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No reference to this subject in this document.
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