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 | Anglo Saxon History |  | |
| | Battle of Hastings 1066AD - G1 -Duke Williams army size and logistics |
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On this page I would like to try and create a logical list of Duke Williams force, camp
followers and the logistics needed to move them all to Hastings. And at the same time I hope to calculate a reasonable
estimate of the size of his total force.
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| Documentary Evidence - number of troops ▲ |
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The numbers of Williams forces are not detailed or are slightly over optimistic, but the following is all the evidence
we have to do the calculation,
The Carmen de Triumpho Normannico
(The Song of the Norman Conquest - Bishop Guy d'Amians)
Original text:
- Quadrupedes fugiunt piscis avisque simul
- Quippe decem deceies deceis et militia quinque
- Diversis feriunt vocibus astra poli
Translation Kathleen Tyson:
- Beasts flee, birds and fish likewise.
- Surely ten times ten times ten plus five thousand more men.
- In varied voices strike the pole star.
Translation Morton/Muntz:
- The beasts fled, and the birds and fish as well
- for indeed a hundred and fifty thousand conflicting voices struck the firmament.
Translation Google:
- Four-footed animals, fish and birds flee together
- for ten ten ten and the army five
- the stars of the sky strike with diverse voices.
My interpretation of this is that there is a great cheer from the troops.
So either the Carmen gives us 6,000 men(Tyson), or the line is 150,000(Muntz) or 5/6,000 men(Google).
| | Documentary Evidence - number of vessels ▲ |
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The Ship list of William the
Conqueror gives us a figure of 777 ships , but this is most likely the number that sailed from Dives. This would be
made up of snekka(longships) and knarr(transport) type vessels (Battle of Hastings 1066AD - B - Ships - Drekka,
Snekkja and Knarr).
Then we get to St Valerie and Master Wace gives us a figure of 694 ships leaving, plus many small ships, which for the
purpose of this calculation we will assume were sightseers or fishermen.
This would imply that the fleet lost 81 ships in the storm (Battle of Hastings 1066AD - D -
Sailing - Dives sur Mer to St Valerie), these would most likely be of the knarr(transport) type as the
snekka(longships) had oars to help move them against the wind. This in turn meant that William had lost provisions and
horses, as the transports would have been carrying these items.
This may be referenced in Orderic Vitalis's statement
Indeed meeting adversity with good council, he concealed (as far as he could) the loss of those who drowned, by burying
them in secret; and by daily increasing supplies he alleviated want. By divers encouragements he retained the
terrified and put heart into the fearful.
Daily increasing supplies may mean that William was buying up a lot of local supplies from St Valerie after supplies had
been destroyed, which took time.
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| Camp Followers and their roles ▲ |
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One of the most overlooked items when looking at the invasion are the number of camp followers that a Medieval army
required for a campaign.
A typical Medieval campaign would have had about one or more camp follower for every soldier on a limited campaign.
The Roles that these Camp Followers would carry out include:
Direct Logistics & Support
- Wagoners & Carters: A minimal number for ammunition, the pre-packed fort components, the
commander's pavilion, and the army's bread oven. Every cart is for critical supplies only.
- Pioneers : The backbone of a mobile army. This organized group clears roads, builds bridges, digs
latrines, and most importantly, assembles and dismantles the pre-packed fort every time the army camps.
Their efficiency is key to the army's speed and security.
- Foragers: A dedicated, mounted group that ranges ahead of the army to secure supplies and bring
them to a central point, minimizing downtime for the main force.
- Herders: Managing a very small, essential herd of cattle for fresh meat. Most food is carried in
wagons or foraged.
- Clerks & Quartermasters: Essential for managing the tight supply chain.
Skilled Trades & Maintenance
- Farriers & Blacksmiths: The highest priority trade. With 1,500 cavalry and
hundreds of cart horses, this team works around the clock shoeing horses and making emergency repairs.
- Fletchers: A constant production line is needed to keep the archers supplied with arrows.
- Armorers & Weaponsmiths: Repairing battle damage and maintaining gear is a daily task.
- Carpenters & Wheelwrights: Critical for maintaining the wagons and working with the pioneers to
assemble the fort's wooden structures.
- Leatherworkers & Ropemakers: Repairing saddles, harnesses, straps, and ropes for the fort and siege
equipment.
Cavalry Support Personnel
- Squires: Each cavalryman is supported by one squire. Squires are responsible for maintaining their
knight's armor and weapons, assisting with dressing for battle, and providing general personal service.
- Grooms: With 2 horses per cavalryman (3,000 horses total), each groom manages 5 horses. Grooms are
responsible for feeding, watering, grooming, and basic care of the cavalry mounts. This is in addition to the farriers
who handle specialized hoof care and shoeing.
Sustenance & Domestic Roles
- Victualers & Cooks: Operating centralized field kitchens. Soldiers might be organized into mess
groups to streamline distribution.
- Bakers: Baking bread is the primary way calories are provided. The ovens are mobile and
essential.
- Sutlers: A limited number licensed by the army to sell essentials like wine, beer, and basic goods,
preventing soldiers from scattering to find villages.
- Water-Bearers: A perpetual and critical duty for a large host.
Medical, Religious, & "Morale"
- Surgeons & Assistants: Focused on trauma care: arrow extraction, amputation, and wound
dressing.
- Chaplaincy: A small group of priests to provide mass and last rites.
- Prostitutes: Tolerated and likely organized into a small, regulated group to maintain hygiene and
order, preventing soldiers from leaving camp.
Non-Combatant Family Members
- Restricted Presence: Effectively banned except for essential servants. This includes the personal
servants and pages of high-ranking knights and nobles, and the wives/helpers of a few veteran professional soldiers who
also work (e.g., as laundresses, seamstresses, or helpers in the kitchens).
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| Camp Followers estimated numbers ▲ |
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The following numbers are based on Wace's 6000 men split into 4500 infantry of which 500 are archers
and 1500 cavalry with each cavalryman having two horses.
The Roles that these Camp Followers would carry out include:
Direct Logistics & Support (~1,700 People)
- Wagoners & Carters (400)
- Pioneers (800)
- Foragers (400)
- Herders (50)
- Clerks & Quartermasters (50)
Skilled Trades & Maintenance (~900 People)
- Farriers & Blacksmiths (200)
- Fletchers (150)
- Armorers & Weaponsmiths (100)
- Carpenters & Wheelwrights (300)
- Leatherworkers & Ropemakers (150)
Cavalry Support Personnel (~2,100 People)
- Squires (1,500)
- Grooms (600)
Sustenance & Domestic Roles (~1,300 People)
- Victualers & Cooks (600)
- Bakers (300)
- Sutlers (200)
- Water-Bearers (200)
Medical, Religious, & "Morale" (~300 People)
- Surgeons & Assistants (100):
- Chaplaincy (50)
- Prostitutes (150)
Non-Combatant Family Members (~700 People)
- Essential servants and family members(700)
So the grand total for Camp Followers is ~7000 men so more than the fighting force.
This also means that William transported about 13,000 people in total from St Valerie to Hastings
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| The size of Duke Williams army ▲ |
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The following numbers are based on Wace's 6000 men (please note this is an educated guess to see if
this army size is feasible from Master Wace fleet size of 694 ships.
The Fleet has to carry:
- Infantry (4,000 People)
- Archers (500 People)
- Cavalry (1500 People)
- Horses (3000 People)
- Prefabricated Fort (1)
- Wagons/Carts(20)
- Weapons
- Direct Logistics & Support (1,700 People)
- Skilled Trades & Maintenance (900 People)
- Cavalry Support Personnel (2,100 People)
- Sustenance & Domestic Roles (1,300 People)
- Non-Combatant Family Members (700 People)
- Food for People for 30 days
- Beer Wine etc
- Food for Horse for 30 days
- Water for 1 week
Please look at our Conclusion for an explanation of the implications of this.
| | Typical items that would be loaded on a Snekka ▲ |
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The snekkja was a versatile Viking longship designed for raiding, exploration, and warfare. These ships were
approximately 17-24 meters long, could carry 40-50 warriors, and were built for speed and shallow water navigation.
This page details what these ships and their crews would typically carry during campaigns.
Weapons & Armor
- Swords and battle axes
- Spears and throwing lances
- Bows and arrows (in quivers)
- Daggers and seax knives
- Round wooden shields
- Leather armor and helmets
- Arming swords for close combat
Navigation & Ship Equipment
- Oars for rowing (spare oars)
- Large square sail
- Anchor and ropes
- Repair tools (axes, hammers)
- Navigation aids (sunstones)
- Tar and caulking materials
- Bailing buckets
Supplies & Provisions
- Dried fish and smoked meat
- Hardtack and grain
- Cheese and dried fruits
- Barrels of fresh water
- Ale and mead
- Cooking pots and utensils
- Fire-making materials
Loot & Trade Goods
- Gold and silver coins
- Jewelry and precious metals
- Religious artifacts
- Slaves (human captives)
- Textiles and fabrics
- Tools and weapons for trade
- Exotic goods from distant lands
Personal Items
- Woolen clothing and spare tunics
- Leather shoes and belts
- Bone combs and hygiene items
- Thor's hammer amulets
- Gaming pieces and dice
- Musical instruments
- Personal religious items
Repair & Maintenance
- Woodworking tools
- Leatherworking kits
- Spare sail cloth
- Ropes and cordage
- Nails and metal fittings
- Tar for waterproofing
- Sharpening stones
Key Considerations
Viking snekkjas were designed for speed and shallow water navigation, which limited the amount of
supplies they could carry. Raiders would often restock by foraging or raiding coastal settlements. The typical crew of
40-50 warriors would need to balance combat readiness with practical survival needs during their campaigns.
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| Typical items that would be loaded on a Knarr ▲ |
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The knarr was the Viking cargo ship, broader and deeper than the snekkja, designed for carrying heavy loads across
open ocean. While a snekkja might carry 40-50 warriors, a knarr would carry about 24-30 people but significantly more
cargo. This made it ideal for transporting settlers, livestock, and supplies to new territories.
Horses & Livestock
- up to 8 horses (sturdy Northern European breeds)
- Portable wooden stalls with straw bedding
- Feed bags and water troughs
- Spare harnesses and tack
- Grooming tools and hoof picks
- Spare horseshoes and farrier tools
Weapons & Armor
- Swords and battle axes
- Spears and throwing lances
- Bows and arrows (in waterproof containers)
- Round wooden shields (stacked and bundled)
- Leather armor and chainmail shirts
- Helmets and arm guards
- Sharpening stones and weapon maintenance tools
Pre-Fabricated Fortification
- Pre-cut timber for defensive walls
- Interlocking wall sections with joinery
- Pre-assembled gatehouse components
- Watchtower segments with ladder slots
- Wooden stakes for palisades
- Tools for assembly (mallets, drills, ropes)
- Instructional rune stones for construction
Carts & Transport
- Disassembled wooden carts
- Spare wheels and axles
- Yokes and harnesses for horses or oxen
- Leather straps and metal fittings
- Tool kits for cart assembly and repair
- Spare parts and reinforcement materials
Forage & Food Supplies
- Barrels of grain (oats, barley, rye)
- Hay bales for livestock feed
- Dried fish and smoked meats
- Hardtack and flour
- Cheese and butter in ceramic containers
- Dried fruits and vegetables
Water, Wine & Beer
- Barrels of fresh water (for humans and animals)
- Barrels of beer (primary Viking beverage)
- Skins of wine (for special occasions)
- Mead in sealed containers
- Drinking horns and wooden cups
- Water purification additives (herbs)
Journey Considerations
Transporting horses by knarr required careful planning. The Normans would need to ensure adequate space
for the animals, with proper stalls to keep them secure during rough seas. Fresh water would be a critical concern for
both humans and animals, requiring careful rationing.
The "Pre-Packed" fortification would consist of pre-cut timber with joinery that allowed for quick
assembly upon arrival. This modular approach to fortress-building enabled William to rapidly establish a defensive
position.
With carts disassembled for transport, the Normans could quickly establish overland transport
capabilities upon arrival, using the horses they brought with them to facilitate movement of people and supplies inland
from landing sites.
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| A summary of the loading of the ships ▲ |
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Fleet Composition
Total Vessels: 694
Snekka (Warships): 265
Knarr (Cargo Ships): 429
Primary Role: Transport of 12,700 people, 3,000 horses, and supplies for 30
days
Key Constraints
Horse Capacity: 8 horses per Knarr
Duration: 30 days of food + 7 days of water
Knarr with Horses: 375 (carrying all 3,000 horses)
Knarr without Horses: 54 (dedicated to bulk cargo)
Cargo Distribution by Ship Type
265
Snekka Ships
375
Knarr with Horses
54
Knarr with Cargo
1. Snekka (265 ships) - Primary Personnel Transport
| Cargo Item |
Quantity per Ship |
Total Across Fleet |
| Personnel |
25 people |
6,625 people |
| Fresh Water |
700 liters |
185,500 liters |
| Food Rations |
1,125 kg |
~298,125 kg |
| Weapons & Armor |
Personal equipment |
Varies |
2. Knarr with Horses (375 ships) - Cavalry Transport
| Cargo Item |
Quantity per Ship |
Total Across Fleet |
| Horses |
8 horses |
3,000 horses |
| Personnel |
10 people |
3,750 people |
| Fresh Water |
1,960 liters |
735,000 liters |
| Horse Feed |
2,400 kg |
900,000 kg |
| Human Food |
450 kg |
168,750 kg |
| Tack & Equipment |
For 8 horses |
For 3,000 horses |
3. Knarr without Horses (54 ships) - Bulk Cargo Transport
| Cargo Item |
Quantity per Ship |
Total Across Fleet |
| Personnel |
46 people |
2,484 people |
| Prefabricated Fort |
Distributed parts |
1 complete fort |
| Wagons/Carts |
Distributed parts |
20 wagons |
| Additional Food |
~5,800 kg |
~313,200 kg |
| Additional Water |
~740 liters |
~39,960 liters |
| Tools & Supplies |
Bulk storage |
All remaining supplies |
Personnel Distribution
| Personnel Type |
Total People |
Primary Ship Assignment |
| Infantry |
4,000 |
Primarily on Snekka |
| Archers |
500 |
Primarily on Snekka |
| Cavalry |
1,500 |
Knarr with Horses |
| Direct Logistics & Support |
1,700 |
Mixed across all vessels |
| Skilled Trades & Maintenance |
900 |
Knarr without Horses |
| Cavalry Support Personnel |
2,100 |
Knarr with Horses |
| Sustenance & Domestic Roles |
1,300 |
Knarr without Horses |
| Non-Combatant Family Members |
700 |
Knarr without Horses |
Note: The calculations assume average distributions across ships of the same type.
Actual loading would account for weight distribution and space optimization. Water calculations are based on
4L/person/day and 25L/horse/day.
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| Conclusion and Estimate of William's Force size ▲ |
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After looking at the possibilities it seems likely that William's Force of fighting men was about 6000 men including
cavalry and archers. This works if the fleet of 694 ships is made up of a ratio of 265 snekka(longships) and 375
knarr(transport) so about 40% snekka and 60% knarr.
- Infantry (4,000 People)
- Archers (500 People)
- Cavalry (1500 People)
- Horses (3000 People)
- Prefabricated Fort (1)
- Wagons/Carts(20)
- Weapons
- Direct Logistics & Support (1,700 People)
- Skilled Trades & Maintenance (900 People)
- Cavalry Support Personnel (2,100 People)
- Sustenance & Domestic Roles (1,300 People)
- Non-Combatant Family Members (700 People)
- Food for People for 30 days
- Beer Wine etc
- Food for Horse for 30 days
- Water for 1 week
If this ratio is a good rounded figure and if this was the same in Dives, then the original fleet would have been 308
snekka and 462 knarr. However loosing 81 knarr in a storm would leave a fleet of 308 snekka and 386 knarr.
This means that William could have lost in the 84 ships about 670 horses which means about 336 cavalry less than
he was expecting.
This reduction in knarr capacity could also create a possibility of overloaded knarr's that were forced to land
at New Romney, where they were destroyed by the locals.
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Local Interest
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