Battle of Hastings. Animated film.

The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066 between the Norman-French army of William, the Duke of Normandy, and an English army under the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson, beginning the Norman Conquest of England. It took place approximately 7 mi (11 km) northwest of Hastings, close to the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex, and was a decisive Norman victory.
The background to the battle was the death of the childless King Edward the Confessor in January 1066, which set up a succession struggle between several claimants to his throne. Harold was crowned king shortly after Edward's death, but faced invasions by William, his own brother Tostig, and the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada (Harold III of Norway). Hardrada and Tostig defeated a hastily gathered army of Englishmen at the Battle of Fulford on 20 September 1066, and were in turn defeated by Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge five days later. The deaths of Tostig and Hardrada at Stamford Bridge left William as Harold's only serious opponent. While Harold and his forces were recovering, William landed his invasion forces in the south of England at Pevensey on 28 September 1066 and established a beachhead for his conquest of the kingdom. Harold was forced to march south swiftly, gathering forces as he went.
The exact numbers present at the battle are unknown as even modern estimates vary considerably. The composition of the forces is clearer: the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers, whereas only about half of the invading force was infantry, the rest split equally between cavalry and archers. Harold appears to have tried to surprise William, but scouts found his army and reported its arrival to William, who marched from Hastings to the battlefield to confront Harold. The battle lasted from about 9 am to dusk. Early efforts of the invaders to break the English battle lines had little effect. Therefore, the Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to flee in panic and then turning on their pursuers. Harold's death, probably near the end of the battle, led to the retreat and defeat of most of his army. After further marching and some skirmishes, William was crowned as king on Christmas Day 1066.
There continued to be rebellions and resistance to William's rule, but Hastings effectively marked the culmination of William's conquest of England. Casualty figures are hard to come by, but some historians estimate that 2,000 invaders died along with about twice that number of Englishmen. William founded a monastery at the site of the battle, the high altar of the abbey church supposedly placed at the spot where Harold died.

[@thatguy-uz4vq]

I will give Harold one thing, he had just defeated Vikings in the north of England and managed to get down to the south for the Normans in a matter of days. Put up a good fight and even had a high chance of winning. Respect.

[@williamcarter361]

The error he made was marching down South too quickly. Should have stopped in London to recruit more men.

[@SE-tc3cr]

Agreed, his soldiers were exhausted, a couple of days rest and this battle would have gone very differently

[@ftroop2000]

And previous to that, large numbers had marched up North, to meet the Vikings. A lot of ground covered

[@Michu93p]

War is a risky bussines. Harold did decently in 1066 wars, but decently was just not enought.

[@MrExade]

well he was fast but stamford bridge was just unequal fight, even tho they were unorganized (haralds troops) they managed to sustain 5000casualties and godwinson about 7-800 so even tho outnumbred 2 to 1 , without chain mail or organized defense on the battlefield of his picking they almost sustained the same level of casualities!

[@Anvilarm07]

Note to self, when you are happy up on top of a hill, stay there. Interesting no one tried a flank maneuver.

[@darkstarr2321]

I think woods covered one side and a small stream the other so no flanking could happen

[@ycplum7062]

A lot depends on how dense is the undergrowth of the woods. A dense undergrowth does two things. It makes it hard to flank, especially steathily. It also means the flanking units unsupportable. If they get attacked, they are on their own. It can potentially invite defeat in detail if they are noticed. It is possible to have sent a small cavalry detatchment in a wide arc before the battle. However, it then becomes an independent command since there would be no way to communicate between the main body and flanking unit. The best you can do is a trumpet or drum signal to attack. And the commander of the flanking unit has to be VERY capable and disciplined. Back then, these were more warriers than soldiers. Selfdiscipline was rare. Just look at teh Saxons that broke ranks to persue fleeing Normans.

[@joseywales3848]

I think trying to communicate and control troops for a manoeuvre like a flank attack was just way too difficult to co-ordinate. Perhaps if the army was experienced in operating as a cohesive unit it may have been a possible option. A Roman legion, for example, may have been able to attempt such a manoeuvre depending on the terrain. But Williams' army was made up of French, Normans, Bretons, Flemish etc so I think he was right to keep it relatively simple. Co-ordinating his archers, infantry and cavalry as he did was a feat of generalship in itself. He kept control of his army (just) whilst Harold lost control of his, and he won the day.

[@ycplum7062]

@@joseywales3848 Yep Basically, you can send a force off on a flank attack, but after that, they are on their own. When and if they make the attack would be up in the air.

[@johnscarr70]

@@darkstarr2321 absolutely. you anchor your flank against an obstacle. Pity the earlier engagement at Fulford Gate doesn't appear. Another good example of the tactic. (unless you rely upon a tidal stream!)

[@patrickkealy4387]

A battle that Harold had well in hand until his right flank broke rank and chased the Norman attack back down the hill. That huge mistake opened up a gap that William took full advantage of and eventually allowed him to defeat the Saxon army

[@southerneruk]

Ah I thought it was the left flank on the west side of the battle

[@pat7785]

It's crazy that something seemingly inconsequential like that completely changed the course of European history.

[@parinatorgaming7396]

I said it before and ill say it again. Please make many more of these; you have done such a great job so far.

[@raypurchase801]

Next: Little Big Horn, the Alamo, the Spanish Armada, Rorke's Drift and the oil tanker Ohio.

[@jacksteed7199]

So it's known fact when they fought before infantry ever made any attacks the cavlry each had 3 javelins and they went single file in circle till each of the through all 3 strong enough to go through an english shield PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE LINE. so bad.

[@jakegreen5682]

it is rare that a video grabs my full undivided attention anymore. you have done it. this is amazing friend and i am glad to see a new flavor in the historical content community. hats off to you.

[@Agonis100]

Awesome work! Thank you for this.

[@rkuzmic]

Please keep making these. This is becoming one of my favorite channels.

[@steretsjaaj2368]

Awesome animation. This is a proper thing, not boring Total War vidoes which we've seen million times already.. Hope we get to see more historical battle tactis such as this in future. Keep up the good job

[@piotrplewa1889]

total war, so much better

[@willo7734]

Really awesome channel! There are so many battles that I’d like to see in this format. Cannae, Agincourt, Marathon, etc.

[@jeromenesa1787]

Patay 1429....

[@philRminiatures]

Truly superb and atmospheric...First class battle animation!

[@agnostic47]

The Normans had "previously used this tactic at the battle of Castle (Castille?) in 1071". So they previously used a tactic 5 years later? Hmmm.

[@battlesin3d70]

time machine

[@ralphc1405]

like Biden saying the 2020 gasoline price hike was responsible for Putin invading Ukraine in 2022...Liberal clown world logic🤡🎪

[@meofamily4]

@@battlesin3d70 BOO !

[@ShadeHeart94]

😂nice! I came looking in case there wasn't a comment yet, but that's also not so bad.

[@luxhistoriae1172]

Thats the battle of Cassel. They were only 20 norman knights.

[@mrsalt3337]

I think I’m starting a new video series after watching this. Thanks for the inspo.

[@nadtheamazing3865]

Great animation, I just subscribed, keep it up!

[@milanstojanovic7926]

Please do battles from Scotish wars for independence.. Great job with this, love it..

[@aa-uq1qj]

Excellent video. I love these. Have you done any samurai battles yet? Would love to see a video about the battle of Sekigahara

[@icyBulls]

Love the presentation. Subscribed

[@thatoneinasuit6404]

Great video and great work with your research on the battle this was really cool to see, at the battle site there is a large black stone laid in the ground marking the supposed spot Harold is said to have taken the arrow to the eye which reads something along the lines of "here died the last English king", yet there is another marker to the right of the site from the English lines where he is rumoured to have been cut down by Norman cavalry possibly fleeing while wounded

[@GrandpaFeathers]

i love theories and rumors like this. Lets my imagination run free. Perhaps he took an arrow to the eye and his guard tried to flee with his body.

[@thatoneinasuit6404]

@@GrandpaFeathers what a great theory, I think that may actually be the one I will stick with as it makes logical sense, if I was part of his guard and didn't want him to fall into Norman hands I'd of taken him to the wooded area too, less chance of the knights on horse back chasing you down, great thinking

[@southerneruk]

The arrow in the eye bit is a myth, It refers to the number of arrows coming out of the sky, Harold was butchered and hack to pieces 5 miles away at a chapel doorway, all the lords that was with him was dealt the same way

[@thatoneinasuit6404]

@@southerneruk this is some great knowledge thanks for sharing it! The arrow to the eye is one of those myths that will forever be in the annals of time but I never knew he was cut down off the battlefield

[@southerneruk]

@@thatoneinasuit6404 A lot of people think Battle Abby was the site of the Battle Of Hastings, It was not and was finally confirmed when the owners allowed an archaeological dig and nothing was found, not even a chain link and yet what use to be the only road onto the Hastings peninsula at the time there was an iron axe arrow heads remains of spear found when digging up the road to lay a pipe, They now think this was the battle area, and it would make more sense

[@jimosmond2082]

This is brilliant cool video . Well done .These should get used in history lesson's at school

[@aimaction7393]

GREAT WELL PRESENTED AND ARTICULATED STORY

[@Cromwells_Wart]

One thing that people don't appreciate about history, mainly those who show little interest in the subject is the little details and the fine margins of historic turning points such as this. Had Harold's flank not given way to temptation, or if Harald Hardrada had postponed or mistimed his own invasion, this country wouldve been a whole lot different. From castles and cathedrals, from place names to surnames, from the English language to our legal system, it is fascinating to think what might have been.

[@R4rd]

It always strikes me how this period was tactically so backward compared to the classical era. In Roman times, leaders like Hannibal or Caesar were constantly trying to outsmart the enemy using surroundings. In medieval battles like Hastings, the tactics were reduced to 'run headlong into the enemy and try not to die, even if the enemy has the high ground.'

[@battlesin3d70]

In Roman times soldiers has excellent training and could fight in complex formations

[@mcsmash4905]

still worked , not always but then again thats war for ya

[@MrJabbothehut]

the collapse of the Roman empire caused an insane amount of loss of knowledge in pretty much every field of human endeavour at the time.

[@R4rd]

@@MrJabbothehut True. Moreover, a flanking manoeuver or ambush was considered 'not chivalrous' and 'cowardly'. Being smart on the battlefield was not socially accepted anymore.

[@MrJabbothehut]

@@R4rd the normans werent chivalrous trust me. 100000 dead peasants in the north of england can assure you that. Im sure there were flanks attempted. Remember that the main source for this battle is the bayeux tapestry so take it with a grain of salt as it is a story rather than a precise account of the battle.

[@manfrombritain6816]

the thing i find most interesting about Hastings is how much chance was involved. William's invasion was very delayed due to weather preventing the crossing - if he had arrived when he intended, it might be that Harold's army would have been fresher and bigger and won the battle. If Harold had delayed a day or 2 on his march south after defeating the vikings, he may have won that way as well. i mean William even got lucky with the Saxons breaking rank to chase his cavalry who i assume were disordered, not deliberately making a ruse next time your plans get hindered by something, think of William. that weather delay led to his success - he just kept on the course of action he had decided upon

[@richardbradley2335]

oh so good...well done and well told.

[@MaryAmesMitchell]

Thank you. William the Conqueror and several of his "companions" are my ancestors. So this was really fun to see after reading so many text accounts,

[@battlesin3d70]

thanks!

[@steveoshow4832]

Same with me. William and one of the various units of knights , Dreiu of Normandy. The descendent line becoming Drury. The famous Drury lane being associated with this famous name link. I am actually originally from East Sussex and there is growing belief in the area that the actual site of the battle was actually Crowhurst a small village four miles away, it is identical in topography and the consensus is that Battle where the battle is believed to have taken place was actually so boggy at the time it would have been impossible to defend or attack.

[@MaryAmesMitchell]

@@steveoshow4832 Haven't run into the Dreius. Fun bit about Drury Lane.

[@ronduptor]

Let it be known I was here before this blew up. Having such greatly detailed visual could be the gimmick that would spread historical battle to a larger audience, and you do it well. Great narration, accurate but clear and readable visuals. I would maybe recommend 2 things : a bit less "epic" music, or more ominous/calm. That could suit this experience better, and make your commentary clearer. And maybe some visuals aid when describing the forces : numbers of infantery/cavalry etc, visuals clue for terrain features or important characters etc. Awesome work tho, loving every second !

[@battlesin3d70]

Thanks!!!

[@dmoney8602]

No one cares

[@CompetitivelyAwesome]

@@dmoney8602 False I care, keep up the good stuff 3D

[@ronduptor]

@@dmoney8602 Clearly you do

[@TheOrderOfDanos]

Really cool, loving this style. Hope your software can deal with larger troop numbers in the future, i think that'll really make it feel epic and chaotic. Have you ever considered doing fantasy battles as well as historical? I'd imagine you'd have alot of epic battles to animate in the Game of Thrones wars like Robert's Rebellion & the War of the 5 Kings etc

[@erikr968]

The problem is that movie battles are usually so poorly done. It's almost always just two masses of people rushing at each other with no organisation whatsoever, ending up in a general free-for-all. Within 2 minutes, 90% are dead and the battle is over. It's so far from reality I can't see how you can make an interesting video about it.

[@TheOrderOfDanos]

@@erikr968 I certainly wouldn’t mind if some creative licensing was taken, and the battles made more realistic especially ones we’ve never seen depicted or the ones described vaguely

[@Hasharin14]

@@erikr968 Ah yes, because its very tactical, organised and smart to leave the formation and pursue fleeing horseman into the open. If this was a transcription of a fantasy battle you would also say its "poorly done".

[@ElZilchoYo]

Why doesn't he just use total war with unit mods? 2 steam profiles can have an online battle and pause to give orders and then play again, the replay can be saved and replayed to be recorded from infinite angles.

[@briankeoco6886]

@@erikr968 Sounds like Total War, too!

[@pmurnion]

The description of one battle is fascinating. But the really interesting thing is how easily England fell to the Norman's. 200 years earlier the Vikings defeated English armies numerous times but every time the English rallied and came back. In 1066 one battle ended 700 years of Anglo Saxon England.

[@jhodds8779]

It was to take another five years of brutal campaigning, especially in the north (known as the Harrying of the North), before William was able to establish control over all of England. Bribes and the lack of a true heir (Edgar disposed of early on) also hampered the will to fight. Most freeman and surfs just wanted to live and get on

[@joshuasitzema9920]

Alfred was the largest reason, along with his son and daughter. They knew how to fight the old foe and did so well. Here England was divided, note most of the forces came from the south, the Godwinson family was hated in the north due to his brother Tostig. But those few northerners who came were special. After the battle one of the Northumbrian earls camped in a wooded area, waited for a detachment of knights, and then burned the entire wood to the ground with the Normans inside of it. Then he went home.

[@cliffordjensen8725]

William claimed it was a dynastic dispute, not an invasion. A subtle point which helped in getting the English common people to accept the situation.

[@ftroop2000]

@@cliffordjensen8725, yeah. He had a claim to the throne, and many agreed.

[@southerneruk]

@@cliffordjensen8725 it was his Franco friends who bought Scalping into England, it was very brutal what took place afterwards, the murders raping 5 to 10 years olds, it was an era that the English would not forget

[@MedievalWargamer]

Amazing! Love it!

[@mist.brooke]

I love this thanks!

[@Historico1293]

The graphics are great, thanks

[@MasonBryant]

This is really good work

[@battlesin3d70]

Thanks!!!

[@fastyaveit]

I have been to this battler site, and I couldn't believe how small it was

[@dimitris.9115]

great animation !!

[@NathansWargames]

I'm about a 2 hour walk away from Battle Abby. it's a lovely place highly recommend

[@satanshousewife3878]

This is really well done, but it honestly would have looked higher quality if you had two people do this in a private game of banner lord.

[@ATPMolloy1]

Awesome work

[@battlesin3d70]

thanks

[@toothpick4649]

A few years ago, I travelled to England to see the site of the battle a party of American tourists were there complaining that there was nothing to see only fields... I was just shaking my head.

[@battlesin3d70]

What they expected to see, dead bodies?😅

[@panzerabwerkanone]

To be fair, if you were at a battlefield in the states there would be monuments and information placards telling the story of battle. There would be a few paid actors or park officials in character portraying combatants and answering questions. It would be an area set aside as a state or federal park and saved from development.

[@battlesin3d70]

@@panzerabwerkanone oh, I see

[@LandersWorkshop]

@@panzerabwerkanone You get that at some castles like Warwick.

[@johnscarr70]

@@panzerabwerkanone you cant go anywhere in England without being close to a place of battle. We've had millennia to massacre one another! Sadly, it's such a frequent occurrence that a lot of it disappears from sight. I'm from a proper bloodbath of a district, in historical terms, but I only recently found out that my home town had been the site of a battle about 100 years prior to the Norman conquest.

[@deathofchanel8568]

Good work mate! One question, what program did you use to make this battle?

[@battlesin3d70]

Blender

[@johnwright9372]

It is likely that the Fyrd at this battle were not the same as had fought at Stamford Bridge. Harold was impetuous in rushing from London to the South Coast without waiting even a few days to gather more Husscarls, but that's history.

[@EnkaMexi]

Very interessting, i enjoyed watching 👍 There was a little flashgame named "1066", i can not play it anymore because no flash :-(

[@thenelsonbruhs722]

Alright….. I’ve literally never watched battle videos before and I wrote an essay about this battle last week… and now I’m randomly being recommended a video about this battle with less than 20k views They’re definitely watching me

[@amsd312]

Nice work. I was wondering, though, is the scale of the models seen here 1:1 with the description in terms of troop numbers? These armies look very small when you see them like this.

[@battlesin3d70]

HI, a numeric scale rougly 2:1

[@ZarniwoopVannHaarl]

@@battlesin3d70 Amazing work! Do you think 1:1 would be possible in Blender?

[@generalspills]

@@ZarniwoopVannHaarl These aren't made in blender, they seem to be footage from Total War

[@Knockout5111]

What game or engine was used to capture the battle? this looks awesome

[@SIDEKICKONYOUTUBE]

IT LOOKS FOKIN REAL !

[@afsarbaig5601]

Wooo one more masterpiece

[@rjwohlman]

Cool! I'm subbing up.

[@StitchingSword]

Dude this is sweet, please make more - I would also drool over a few fictional battles if there was enough information to go off

[@maximillianhovar5877]

Amazing video

[@robinsteeden7466]

"The Normans had previously used this tactic at the battle of Cassel in 1071". Wait, wouldn't that be five years after Hastings?

[@chickkidnapper]

Wow this video is great!

[@chickkidnapper]

I subscribe your channel

[@justincharlton-jones4787]

Interesting film, but you need to look at the latest thinking on the site of the battle. It is acknowledged by many historians that the battle didn't take place at the site where Battle Abbey now stands, but probably took place a few miles to the East, the most credible location being posited is Crowhurst. There are several films by Nick Austin on KZbin in which he explains his theory about the location and he has written a very good book on the issue, called Secrets of The Norman Invasion. As both a mediaeval historian and ex military man, I think his arguments for Crowhurst are very strong.

[@iandenyer2372]

You're right; there are arguments re. the site. I spent a lot of time looking at the Crowhurst option (which had me for a while, but there are too many questions/maybes and anomalies for me). As you likely know there are a number (at least seven) theories about where the fighting took place/how the lines were drawn up etc. etc. (inc. the "traditional" ones, Crowhurst, Sedlescombe and the Caldbeck Hill version). Personally, having been "on the ground" (and literally in it - I'm a reenactor; and it gets very muddy even nowadays..) and gone up the slopes involved in full maille, many times I tend to agree with some commentators that (pending anything more concrete) while the battle is in the vicinity of the traditional site, the traditional orientation is wrong, and that the Saxons initially held on the slopes blocking the narrow Hastings road ridge bottleneck (you've likely seen the Lidar scans) with their flanks protected by the slopes and the muddy valleys - hence forcing William into a frontal assault. But you pays your money and you takes your choice... :)

[@steveoshow4832]

I agree with this theory. I am originally from East Sussex. Been to Battle and Crowhurst and I lean towards Crowhurst. The topography is similar and the landing by William was more inland (now no longer an inlet) and as the crow flies much nearer to Crowhurst. Many of the ships I understand were built in such a way that they dismantled and reformed into a wooden defence structure. IMO William was there for the long haul probably believing terms could be settled (William and Harold knew each other and had campaigned together against a troublesome Breton Lord when Harold had accidentally become his ‘guest’ after being shipwrecked in Brittany. But seeing many of the invasive force were promised wealth and lands it was obviously a plan of annihilation and domination.

[@maxisussex]

I remember going to the site of the battle when I was in primary school. I did not particularly enjoy it, it was just a hill with the ruins of the castle nearby. I loved visiting Bodium castle, though I don't think it was a very significant place.

[@raypurchase801]

Agreed. I went there a year ago. Expensive to get in. Devoid of feeling.

[@glenchapman3899]

@@raypurchase801 That's basically because that site is in the wrong place. No artifact from the battle has ever been located anywhere near battle ridge

[@raypurchase801]

@@glenchapman3899 Agreed. There are lots of claims that the actual battle site is where the town is now.

[@glenchapman3899]

@@raypurchase801 Years ago Time Team did a topographic map of the area, as soon as you see it. The battle location becomes obvious. It is about half a mile north of the Abbey right were the round about is. Which as you suggested is in the town itself

[@raypurchase801]

@@glenchapman3899 I recall that episode.

[@KingSnake420]

what program/game is this? looks incredible

[@EpicGoatman]

wtf why are these so good

[@thomasnorbury5935]

why didnt the cavalry just run around the hill at the start and attack from other angles at greater speed?

[@lemecaubinocle]

Thats important to see how Guillaume le Conquérant (im normand, thats how we pronounce it here! :) ) was an innovator in the military history. He was one of the first to use cavalry like this, troops staying in lines to rush the enemy lines and the lobbing shot form archers will be still used centuries after that by the same bretons that defeat us at Azincourt! Nice video bro!

[@SE-tc3cr]

Fascinating most people think the Normans were native French but they were actually descended from Viking colonies in northern France in the 600-800s

[@lemecaubinocle]

@@SE-tc3cr thanks to teach me the half of my history, half of my family came from Norway long time ago to live in France. At least i never said he was french i said how he was named in french. And secondly, his father becoming duke of Normandy to stop harassing Paris from the Seine accepted to be french and vassal of french King. Then... yeah finally Guillaume is born french... :)

[@luxhistoriae1172]

@@SE-tc3cr 1. The norman were 2000 dane dissolved in 100 000 frank-gallic 2. They have been beaten in 3 battle by Odo a french general and forced to guard the seine from others viking as vassal. 3. Their is 8th generation between Rollon and Guillaume. 4. The Norman were a french subculture as Occitan / Poitevin / Angevin etc. 5. The norman not being french is just another British piece of propaganda

[@str1k3ss47]

Man I want to see this in an rts game.

[@ThePierre58]

Excellent video, subscribed immediately. Please do Agincourt.

[@battlesin3d70]

be released soon

[@ThePierre58]

@@battlesin3d70 thank you!

[@Ealdorman_of_Mercia]

love it!

[@BrandonCRFC]

I clicked on this in hopes of learning what game you used. lol

[@Gods-bad-boy]

what an awesome channel

[@ale_s45]

Amazing work! Are you going to make videos about very ancient battles too? Like greek or romans

[@battlesin3d70]

Hi! yes, later

[@jimmyohara2601]

Like or SUCH as ?? whom else is like ancient Greeks & Romans ?? 🤔🧐🕵️

[@rjlchristie]

Jeez, commentary delivered as if for a middle school end of year drama production.

[@paulcrowther4514]

One mistake early on here is regsrding the fyrd. The fyrd were summoned from the local southern counties, so it was not the same fyrd that had fought against Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge in the north

[@Rowan3733]

I always wondered why armies don't reposition themselves if they find themselves in disadvantaged terrain. What stops the french from simply moving elsewhere, forcing the english to leave the highground?

[@edwardatson4042]

near the beginning of the battle you said that the normans had false retreated in earlier battles like in 1070 did you mean 970?

[@xj900man]

I really enjoyed this except for the end where the music volume drowned out the narration.

[@battlesin3d70]

Yeap, music at the end is too loud

[@piotrmontgomerytv7786]

Imagine Henry Cavill as William the conqueror in The Last Kingdom.

[@richardl772]

A nice little video but background noise towards the end made it difficult to hear the commentary clearly.

[@lightawsomeswag207]

What software are you using? If you mind me asking.

[@frankiethefrank]

"It's over, William! I have the high ground!"

[@magnacarta9364]

This is historically correct

[@battlesin3d70]

Thanks!!!

[@thedeaforc]

Well done. I thought Harold got an axe in his head thou?

[@manuelkong10]

From what I've read, King (the rightful) Harold had dug three defensive ditches

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

The number of men in this video significantly understates the actual numbers

[@macaconuu]

What game/program is use toade this video?

[@konrad9811]

more videos dude!!! :D

[@battlesin3d70]

be released soon

[@slaviclettuce7937]

4:00 Why wouldn't he order the cavalry to go off to the sides to flank the enemy of hit them in the rear? He couldn't have tied up the enemy with infantry then caused massive damage through a cavalry rear or flank charge.

[@MrLeiduowen]

6:36 Normans had previously used this tactic in 1071. We're still in 1066 though😉

[@docgillygun9531]

This was really cool. Perhaps I don't understand the culture of the warfare tactics of the time, but it seems like William had a vast advantage in archers and cavalry. My question is, given the steepness of the hill, why didn't William order his cavalry to the right flank which seemed less wooded and less steep. He could have used the speed of horse to envelop the flank in a wedge and cut across his lines and to the rear instead of frontal assault? Yes he still won the battle, just a question.

[@iandenyer2372]

Good question. The animation shows the long ridge (and, for clarity and presumably time/technical limits - a simplified battlefield and surrounding terrain) which begs that question. For what it's worth; as a reenactor who has "fought" Hastings for about 15 years (and marched over - or rather through the mud of - the "traditional site" many times) I agree with some historians (and, incidentally the Time Team archaeologists) in concluding that the battle didn't take place on the nice long ridge like the one shown - with either the Saxons holding line back from the slopes and conveniently allowing the Normans to march along the slopes with flanks exposed OR the Normans choosing to march down into - and through - the thick, clay, mud of the valley before attacking up a nasty hill (as in the video. The mud here is NOT nice. I've marched in it - and fallen over in it - too many times - even though the land is better drained than it would have been at the time and without thousands of men and horses churning it up). I agree with them as think that the battle started with the Saxons holding the slopes facing the "bottleneck" (where the road from Hastings taken by the Normans, enters what is now Battle village) with the Normans not flanking because of the mud in the valleys and the steep slopes of the bottleneck ridge.. Take a look at the actual terrain - esp. the Lidar scans of the area - and you'll see what I mean...

[@docgillygun9531]

@@iandenyer2372 Thank you

[@cynric5437]

A good try but still erroneous given the information available. No skirmish although present in Bayeux Tapestry, William of Poitiers and song of Norman conquest. No ditch along front of the English as per Wace and Henry of Huntingdon. And what about the Malfosse incident after the main battle ( WP, WJ, Carmen and maybe some 12th cent. sources)?

[@adecirkett5351]

Very good, sadly in the. wrong place, it was Crowhurst.

[@NR-rv8rz]

'Norman Warriors had 'previously' used this tactic in 1071'. Is 1071 'previous' to 1066?

[@boyar3033]

Why didn't the Normans go around the hill ? Was the forest around the hill to thick ?

[@alvaroblancogarcia848]

nice video, what game is it?

[@tomsaunders9944]

5:15 American narrators make me feel as though I'm watching a child's program.

[@rims4703]

Why cavalry does not go around the flanks?

[@chrisaris8756]

How does anyone know this? It must be mostly assumption and conjecture. In fact there is a strong possibility that the battle actually took place much further west towards Pevensey.

[@donizetebelinato2808]

Nice Channel, subscribed! Please, do Battle of Azincourt!

[@1001saar]

Suggesting the only effect the battle against the Vikings and the long march south was that it had 'seasoned' some of the of Harold's men, is to say the least, missing the most significant element of this battle.

[@NordicUlfr]

Everything you have learn about tactics was just thrown out the window during the battle fo Hastings. First chargeing your infantry into a small swamp near the foot of the hill then chargeing up hill against battle hardened units theen using the cavalry to charge up the hill multiple times instead of the enemy flanks or go around and strike from behind. Theen instead of ensuring direct orders to stand ground even if the enemy flees. You let your most best units sprint after cavalry into flat open ground twice. Reversed art of war and it worked. Random lord - William how did you winn Hastings? William - You know am just that good at war. Random lord - Yeah but how? William - I dont know i just yelled random tactical words and it worked.

[@MrLiam272]

Sitting here baked out of my mind.

[@arnoldfernbladst3875]

It's no coincidence that on the 1000 year anniversary, it's most likely that the king will be William and his 'bastard' brother Harold will be the deposed again.

[@clearcloud6972]

Well put together..HOWEVER the battle did not take place there. Due SOUTH at CROWHURST was the battle where there is re-entrant and rivers and marsh. The old abbey there is half built ...they say it was stopped and the Monks chose Abbey Hill BATTLE. Not sign at all of any dead/buried swords Armour found in 1km radius of BATTLE hill.

[@pedrobarbosaduarte3704]

can you make a game like this?

[@alanfinch8763]

A small battle can decide everything.

[@tillerman7272]

6:36 how could the Normans have previously used this tactic in 1071 if this took place in 1066?

[@battlesin3d70]

Marty McFly told them

[@battlesin3d70]

error in the script

[@MrBig913]

Battle of Stamford bridge?

[@AP-gv6oz]

i love the simulator. if it was a game i would play the shit out of it

[@alle8565]

Guillaume le Conquérant, Duc de Normandie et Roi d’Angleterre ! Vive la Normandie !