History Shorts: The Battle of Hastings and fall of Anglo Saxon England (1066)

England’s King Harold faced two invasions in 1066. He defeated a Viking invasion force at Stamford Bridge and then turned to face William the Bastard’s Norman force. The Normans fielded about 10,000 men at Hastings against 7,000 Anglo Saxons. The battle stalemated until the Anglo Saxons fell for a Norman trick. William pretended to flee and swirled around to destroy Harold’s forces when they left their heavily defended positions to pursue. The battle, and Anglo Saxon England, ended with Harold’s death. The king took an arrow through the eye ending his reign.  The native English quickly became second class citizens in their homeland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD4EP3dpmes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_rAXH09qRY

History Shorts: Stamford Bridge (1066)

Anglo Saxon King Harold faced two invasions at once in 1066. He faced Harald Hardrada’s Viking force and William the Bastard’s Normans. He decided to face the Vikings first and marched to East Riding, Yorkshire to face the Norwegians. Hardrada and his brother Tostig Godwinson died symbolically ending the Viking Age. King Harold’s forces achieved an incredible and decisive victory, but they still had to contend with the Normans. The victory at Stamford Bridge helped William the Bastard as it tired the Anglo Saxons. In the end, the Normans conquered England. Stamford Bridge played a pivotal role in the Norman Conquest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QewGV3Xa1ik