How was England conquered? ⚔️ Battles of William the Conqueror (ALL PARTS)

🚩 I merged all parts of the William the Conqueror series into one video for easier viewing.
🚩 William's story is truly a remarkable one. He endured a childhood in which others battled to seize his title and lands and had fought wars against his neighbours in France. But William the Conqueror is best known for his invasion of England in 1066. In the years that followed he conquered England, made agreements in Wales and turned the Scottish King into a vassal.
🚩 Consider supporting HistoryMarche on Patreon and enjoy early access ad-free videos for as little as $1: / historymarche
🚩 This series was made in collaboration with Bert's Battles: / @bertsbattles
📢 Narrated by David McCallion
📝 Research and writing by Jonathan Woody
🎵 Music:
EpidemicSound
Filmstro
#hastings #historymarche #history

[@samwill7259]

Going from "the Bastard" to "the Conqueror" is a pretty good way to never be questioned again so long as you live.

[@michaelsinger4638]

William was skilled and determined. But he also got very lucky on multiple occasions.

[@cesaravegah3787]

As most succesful conquers through history, life is usually 99% effort and 1% luck, and to get a large place on history that 1% is quite important

[@daguroswaldson257]

In my experience there is no such thing as luck.

[@michaelsurratt1864]

@@daguroswaldson257 nonsense percentages are a fact of life

[@cesaravegah3787]

@@daguroswaldson257 Then you dont have enough experience

[@thewheatness]

it takes skill to capitalize on luck

[@nickt9331]

This is probably the least biased channel that makes this type of content. I feel like its pure education and no propaganda. Great content

[@GLARebel]

That's how history is supposed to be presented.

[@caaarbz]

Dont forget there's two sides to a story

[@lopedeaguirre1]

They do put biases in their videos, in their video on the Battle of Bosworth Field they literally portray Richard III as a demon. But then there's nothing wrong with bias to tell a story if it is done intelligently.

[@nsnl_]

I like Kings & Generals more as they even question the ancient sources biases more indepth whilst also having better graphics and in general more content.

[@Archer-op9cp]

Legends says that Harold's huscarls, having watching their king's demise, close ranks and fought to the last

[@willwilliam7171]

Always felt Harold would’ve won had he not battled with the Vikings in the north and then marched all the way south to meet William’s forces. William had it easy.

[@Toastergod44]

It was probably a mix of that and William's patience. Looking through the details of the battle it's almost hard to believe that William took the engagement, but he bided his time and allowed the English to grow frustrated and impatient with constant charges and withdrawals. It was a gamble, the English lines easily could have held their discipline and probably won by standing still, but it paid off in the end.

[@therightarmofthefreeworld4703]

If the fyrd had not broken their own formation and shield wall at Hastings, Harold would certainly have prevailed.

[@93200Jonas]

😛 Coming from Normandy, England is mine now ahahah

[@Falkenhayn.Hamburg20]

@@93200Jonas and luckily for you, had it not been for the English, we Germans would have conquered you 1914 ;)

[@joshbarr118]

@@Falkenhayn.Hamburg20 you mean canada

[@duanemiller5606]

If Harold, after the previous battle, had not marched quite so fast, and given his men time to recuperate, and not decided to rush off into his final battle but instead take the time to raise a larger army he probably survives and wins.

[@alessandrogini5283]

The problem Is that Harold technically usurped the Throne ,so he could had some enemy that see William as a lessen danger,as. well the fighting against Harald didn't did well for the strenght of Harold army..but he could had won this Battle if he was able to control his troops.. However,in a flat terrain his army was no Match for the heavy cavalry of William

[@duanemiller5606]

@@alessandrogini5283 there are several ways to beat Calvary charges. The most simple was dig pits as the horses charge their legs with step into the pit and snap the horses leg, causing the horse to fall to the ground the rider to fly off and the Thrashing horse was an obstacle to the cavalry charge. Then there’s those spikes I forget what they’re called. There are two pieces of metal welded together with sharpened ends that are bent out so that when you drop them three of the points will be on the ground as a base and the fourth prong will be sticking straight up, so if the horse steps on it, it will cripple the horse. Thirdly, there’s the most famous probably of all the defenses, The pike. The big long pointy stick, and whether it’s driven into the ground is a more permanent, defensive line or just a long sharp pole held by soldiers. It is very effective, because no horse will run onto a wall of sharp pointy sticks. So if Harold find some more defensible area to stop that will not be so advantageous to Williams Calvary, and waits for his reinforcements, while letting his own men recover from the battle and forced march. It puts William in the position of either attacking Harold before all his reinforcements get to him, which means William hast to March thus sapping his troops of some of their strength, when they arrive to do battle, putting both sides on a more even keel in regards to exhaustion. Williams, fine Calvary is no longer a major player, so William is in trouble. William will have to attack Harold’s much more defendable location or sit and wait until Herald out numbers his men to where he can no longer have a chance at winning possibly meaning that William would have to leave England and be harassed all the way out. Let us not forget William was not exactly loved in Normandy. There have been people trying to usurp his power since he was just a child, and his father died, because he was technically an illegitimate child, which means he should not have been able to inherit Control of Normandy let alone England.

[@CptSlow89]

Harold so unlucky, damn. Why he just didn't wait in London and fortify? He just entered the battle with fresh peasants and some man at arms...

[@joshuasitzema9920]

He was King. And they were in the heartland of his supporters so he had to do something. But the Queen Mother (his mom) was trying very much to get her sons to stay and wait for more troops. Harald even asked his own younger brothers to stay in case he died but they told him no, we fight too.

[@seeingimages]

His mother urged him to take immediate action. He followed her advice or admonition.

[@duplicitouscanadian3073]

Hadrada was in the north, let him raid England freely and he would lose the support of many nobles, hence why his forces were exhausted or fresh recruits.

[@thebigdrew12]

Wasn't his style. His idea of campaigns were speedy marches, as evidenced by his earlier actions versus the Welsh.

[@guilzd5836]

He wanted to take William by surprise, like he did the Vikings at Stamford Bridge. Good scouting by the Norman's foiled that plan tho.

[@thibaultsardet7399]

Little fact- 7:38 The town of Isigny is the origin of the name "Disney". An ancestor of Walt must certainly have been a "Seigneur D'Isigny".

[@williamjordan5554]

There was a Disney in the battle.

[@HikerBikerMoter]

and mickey mouse was their banner

[@thibaultsardet7399]

@@HikerBikerMoter Yeah the Death Star with Mickey's ears ^^

[@Booz2010]

Thought Disney was an Irish surname 💬

[@HikerBikerMoter]

Sir Disney a knight in shining armor charges the enemy in battle M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

[@Si4koTushxD]

I bow to the story telling ability of yours guys, simply amazing to watch. I can sit here all day and it would still feel amazing.

[@tocobb7747]

rectangles and squares have never been so exciting

[@TrueWeej]

Oh can you imagine a big budget (historically accurate) telling of William I ‘the Conqueror’ in a movie trilogy 😍 such a fascinating man and his story.

[@LagunaShirogane]

Most likely be a good tv series much like how Vikings was done up or HBO's Rome.

[@bunkerkorpf1440]

A trilogy wouldn't be enough IMHO, a serie would be better. William the Conqueror completely changed the destiny of what will be France and England.

[@alvarorubenvera5915]

They'd make him black with braids. "William the Conqueror was black!!!"

[@Mma-basement-215]

I do have to give William his respect for being so young and having to come of age fighting his way through betrayal and he did become a great warrior leader and King 👑❤️💯💪

[@LagunaShirogane]

Too bad much like Qin Shi Huang's successors in the Qin Dynasty of China, William's own successors didnt amount to much and the Dynasty died out after a few short successors or within a hundred years or so. Why is it always like that that great leaders are almost never succeeded by good rulers? Most are piss poor rulers. History....tends to repeat itself regardless where you go in the world.

[@hadrianwall9157]

That whole series together was great.

[@nohandlenotme]

Thank you again, HistoryMarche!

[@mattstakeontheancients7594]

So nice to see these battles put together. One or 2 I had never even heard of.

[@jessepacheco6020]

Thank you for putting these together! William was one tough Bastard!!!!

[@ayeejiff9847]

it's like you've put all your art works into one master piece . There's something extraordinary about these feats throughout history i just can't explain sometimes but wow .

[@FlashPointHx]

Well put together! Need to review this a few times - hoping to hit up Normandy later this year - Love the detail in your maps

[@tylerok2520]

🔥 FPH

[@grizla1895]

@FlashPointHx your content is amazing

[@JuTakii]

love your stuff bro, got me into being more interested in history a couple years ago

[@FlashPointHx]

@@JuTakii that is awesome to hear!

[@doylekitchen9795]

@@FlashPointHx Does this mean you will be starting on a project about the history of Normans? Tosney, Byzantine Empire, Tacred's sons, grandsons, great grandsons... Awesome.

[@naj3hoth231]

Amazing video like usually, but I’m really looking forward for the next parts of Hannibal barca story looking forward to see new videos about it sooner ❤

[@ryanedwards805]

Yes the Hannibal series has been my favourite, i may rewatch it from the start

[@enalb5085]

yea i've been waiting for them to finish that one for a while

[@maxpower4436]

I second that

[@kristis61]

it’s a looong story but yes we want it

[@jacobpeters5458]

37:39 - incweasing :)

[@KHK001]

Thanks fpr for your hard work HM! Love the series

[@carloscordeiro4775]

Wow this is extremely well done. Definitely will be watching more of this channel

[@fabionwilson6992]

Great job! I reall enjoy David's narration he is cool to listen to and not monotone .

[@LagunaShirogane]

He could get with Kings and Generals narrator for a video or two. Both make similar styling videos.

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

Thank you for creating these long videos. Much appreciation from a fan of you from Sri Lanka. William the conqueror born as a illegitimate child of Robert of Normandy. After securing his rule in Normandy after lengthy battles he focused on war ravaged and fractured England. One of the greatest conquerors in history. Brilliant documentary. Thanks History Marche for creating this documentary🔥🔥🔥🔥 a son of France ♥️🔥 .my fav country in Europe 🌍 Vive la France. 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵 . I ve also read a comic book which is set in this period. one of the best comics I ever read.

[@doug6500]

Hardly a son of France. He had twice defeated the French in battle at Mortemer (1054) and Varaville (1057) which would embolden him to move on securing what he saw as his rightful place at the head of the Kingdom of England.

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

@@doug6500 yes so I think we should consider him as a norman and a Englishman.

[@jacksonpettit4690]

Victory for Norman France!

[@jacksonpettit4690]

My last name is a testament of Norman English supremacy

[@walideg5304]

The Duchy of Normandy was part of France. He should paid tribute to the French King every year. He was French, French dad is language.

[@kingquad6677]

This is the greatest video of this event I've ever seen! Very very cool. Kudos to you dude!

[@Trebor74]

One thing that never seems to be mentioned is Saxon archers and the Saxon warbow. Norman archers are mentioned,obviously. But nothing about Saxon archers

[@black-uh1df]

Maybe they weren't present?

[@williammorris3303]

This program is awesome. I love the production and narration. I have no idea how I haven’t seen this page before.

[@DeepCrossing1]

This is such a epically brilliant video. The long form allows for real insights into medieval politics

[@celticchief3314]

Amazing content as always!

[@MrPiccolop]

Amazeballs. History En Marche is truly a gift to the aspiring war lord. 🤣

[@p0rqu3]

Great job, thank you for sharing your excellence.

[@silentbullet2023]

very informative and well narrated. many thanks and godspeed!

[@quentinl7598]

Another awesome video thanks!

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

(History Marche) channel proven its excellence working in previous videos and such as this amazing ,informative & long documentary about skilled William conquerors to ward's deep France 🇫🇷 launched from Normandie & after that launched his invention assaults to ward's England 1066 AD ..😲..what was remarkable he used several political methods besides his men swords powers & struggled his foes successfully...it was magnificent documentary coverage..allot thanks

[@MESOHIPPUS]

Very good job indeed! Bravo! Music, video, plus information! A++

[@happmonkeyballs]

Amazing. Thankyou. Best channel on KZbin

[@no.1spectator39]

World class animation and sounds ♥️🙏 thank you

[@sergiodeus3865]

Great production as always.

[@natedrake6382]

YESS I WANTED THIS, THANK YOUU

[@simonthompson1895]

love this, fantastic vid. cant say that enough

[@pedrotimon7212]

I love Hadrada’s life story, but I think Goodwinson surprise him with that force March from London. I mean he knew they were in the south coast waiting for Billy and in 7 days they were on his face. Big credit to Goodwinson for that, he tried to replicate it coming down south and even managed to get a good defensive position, however he should have bid his time and regroup better and maybe replenish his housecarls. You cannot win HH and Billy the Conqueror b2b without rest. Anyways, just making my point that Goodwinson is a little bit underrated for all he achieved tho.

[@alessandrogini5283]

Harold could won if he control more the troops,but in a flat terrain and not Mountains,his army was Simply too light to defeat the heavy cavalry of William..instead,he should' had ally with harald against William

[@mehranakbarzade3559]

he must have give nurthumbria to his brother and made peace with hadrada he lost his fouces from william and we must agree godwin wa not goood commonder @@alessandrogini5283

[@dominicadrean2160]

Who would win in a battle Harold hardrada and his Viking Army vs William the Conqueror and his Norman Army

[@Inkognito-ts4to]

hadrada his army was a better version of the Anglo Saxon army at Hastings and the Anglo Saxons almost won

[@ecaeas4439]

@@Inkognito-ts4to Hadrada was also a renowned commander. Godwinson managing to win at stamford bridge should be considered a marvellous victory in it’s own right.

[@jamesson1154]

@@ecaeas4439 not really, most of Haralds men were unarmored but they still went into battle. Godwinson literally caught them with their pants down.

[@gelon3333]

@@ecaeas4439 harald lost only because he couldn't gather all his forces quick enough since he was disembarking still

[@ecaeas4439]

@@jamesson1154 Ah yeah. Maybe Instead of “Marvellous”, i should’ve said it was simply a significant victory and a shock since many would expect Hadrada to win over Godwinsson who was comparatively inexperienced as a commander. I think had Harald’s forces been prepared and in their positions, it could’ve ended the other way.

[@schlirf]

Better late than never: A Huge (even a "Yuge") thanks for making the series! Many of us peons forget what, as Paul Harvey put it, the Rest Of The Story as to do with the main event.

[@ImpeachObamaASAP2010]

I yugely approve you use of yuge.

[@schlirf]

@@ImpeachObamaASAP2010 Slow Clap! 🤙🤙🤙

[@WhoIsCalli]

Very good. Thanks for putting this together

[@Thyranel]

Love your content!!!!

[@luawyf9037]

I'd always heard the famous stuff, but now I know the full story. Thank you.

[@LeoMajor1]

THanks, I was thinking about this the other day

[@OPRunning]

Hi love your videos, an idea for another one the Campaign by Robert the Bruce into Northern England 1314- 1322. Two battles at least

[@jasondonaldson7412]

Thank you for learning this

[@rjacosta1070]

Outstanding thanks

[@jeremiahsmith7924]

Harold doesn't get enough credit, he had to rush north to smash an invasion force before booking it back south to defend against the Norman's invasion... if his army hadn't abandoned their position on the high ground to pursue the retreating Normans he likely could have repelled their attack as well

[@JQ24]

Excellent video!

[@j.f.fisher5318]

Great work.

[@davidt3563]

What an amazing journey.

[@gardnep]

Great stuff, thanks

[@Marveb2000]

Real life game of thrones. Awesome episode, great channel !!

[@jean-marcknight8816]

23:12 in 1882 Arques was renamed Arques-la-bataille to avoid confusion with an homonym town in Picardy. It’s strange to watch your superb video while knowing a lot of the places mentionned 😉

[@LibertyPrime6969]

Awesome video love it

[@tacticalstrategy2447]

Eagerly awaiting the next hannibal upload.

[@ChanceC5]

Thanks!

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you for your support! Very kind of you.

[@LetsSeeYourKungFu]

the talk bubbles are hilarious. @47:24 " Normans Suck!" xD

[@steeldriver1776]

*"You're not that Guy pal"* - William

[@adamscrivner30]

Fascinating

[@Xhonax568]

I live in York and Stamford bridge is really cool there are Viking ships around it it’s pretty cool

[@allanchurm]

family back in the day fought at hastings they were thanes..after the battle there lands were taken off them..and the refugees ..most went to to welch marshes and area to live after the battle.. I traced them back further to 996 AD west saxons.. its not in the history books as to what happened after the battle but thats where they went ( wonder if they used boats to cross the bristal channel into wales ) looks like history repeats itself though not as wide as the english channel today ..

[@georgebushaway5833]

I’ve been to the battle of Hastings hill it’s very steep !!

[@Everest3000]

50:00 That skull with the tongue out was funny as hell

[@krystianpospiszyl2287]

It has been a while since you last posted a video about the Second Punic War, you know.

[@luciusdomitiusaurelianus5334]

Hey man can you make a video about Trajan's campaigns in Dacia and Partia

[@rweezy6246]

I wait for these long ones. Thanks bro.

[@Bawamba]

50:00 The king pointed at the killer, but they all acted like he pointed at next king lol

[@clovismerovech6537]

Awesome!

[@Roofers-Nail-Hardest]

This is awesome. HBO needs the rights to this

[@JC-mx9su]

HistoryMarche, there are more videos that can combine into one video such as: Renaissance (4 Parts) Attack on Moscow ⚔ Napoleon's Strategy in Russia, 1812 (2 Parts) ⚔ DOCUMENTARY First Battle of Tarain, 1191 AD ⚔ The First Islamic Conquest of India and Second Battle of Tarain, 1192 AD ⚔ Muhammad of Ghor Returns.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This was a fine video

[@durjoy-datta]

Looks like I'm playing age of empire with document, amazing style of presenting history.

[@A_Imp_kon_floing...bdoing]

From Rollo to William the Conqueror. What potential there is (TV show)

[@ivandrodavodasilva7163]

good, very good video...congrats

[@tomsonlarrson3318]

I had to translate the bateaux tapestry in my Latin classes in high school. There’s a surprising amount of “so and so went” (so and so went to a location) because they tried to minimize grammar due to the fact that they gotta embroider the words.

[@kashfiaislam9995]

King William I the Conqueror was a direct male line descendant of Antiochus II Theos. 👑💍🇬🇧

[@wedgeantillies66]

Great compilation of your series of video's on William the bastards rise to power as Duke of Normandy and eventual conquest of England. One quibble, story of Harold being struck in eye by arrow has been quite accurately proven to be in error as that was only added to tapestry in mid 1700s to replace missing stitching and far more likely that Harold was struck by a thrown spear or lance and then cut down.

[@duaneaikins4621]

Are you sure? I’ve never heard that before.

[@wedgeantillies66]

@@duaneaikins4621 Because it is absent in Bernard de Montfaucon's engravings of the tapestry as it was in 1729, meaning it was added sometime afterwards. However, needle holes in the linen do suggest that something had originally been in the place of the arrow, though it may have been a lance rather than an arrow

[@wedgeantillies66]

@@duaneaikins4621 Plus it makes a more logical sense for it to be a lance, as at time of Harold's death, Norman infantry and cavalry are pushing and breaking through weaken Saxon shield wall and there's no way there archers would be risking friendly fire by firing into midst of such a bloody and disorganised melee.

[@Zwia.]

@@wedgeantillies66 Archers often fired into shield walls to open gaps and tire the wall, it was very effective and yes there was collateral damage. They've done tests to show just how much force you'd take from an arrow strike to your shield, it would have been very tiring for the holder to keep getting hit with arrows

[@wedgeantillies66]

@@Zwia. I'm not disputing that archers could and did inflict damage upon the shield wall and tire it out. What I'm contesting is that archers could shoot into a bloody and heaving mess of hand to hand fighting and hit a particular target at long distance.

[@damintten]

Look at how small Normandy is.... Just blows my mind. How do you mess around and decide and make england your's.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Thank you! Loved this series! William the Conqueror is one of history's greatest kings!

[@Booz2010]

King of England by force 🤔

[@Jerimiah10]

This channel is soooooo DAMN GOOD

[@panosgeorgakopoulos8471]

Thanks

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you so much for the support. Very kind of you!

[@lewisw3436]

The talk of "unlicensed" cables towards the start of this video has me interested. How exactly did this "licencing" of castles work? Who had the authority (I imagine centrally it would have been the king but it also could have a system for devolution im not sure). If anyone can point me in the right direction to do some research that would be much appreciated

[@Xorgye]

Its like you think it is. It is the same with cities allowed to having walls and such, that practice is as old as time itself and was granted by rulers especially if they had a foreign ruler. Its inverse is also time tested: city walls were often broken down or gaps were created when you were conquered to prevent the region from becoming too strong of an opposing force. While effective in subdueing, it leaves a region unprotected so it was often accompanied with granting rights to other (often minorities/counter balancing) powers in the region. However the best strategy is to have a stable political alliance, because then you could have both, and that is exactly what people found in William and thus flocked to his will.

[@ericcook5224]

The idea of Harold being hit by an arrow of friendly fire doesn't seem too far fetched after all. Although why,I couldn't guess. But, if you think about it, why would the Norman archers fire their arrows into the air while their own troops were intermixed with the English? Does anyone have some input on that?

[@Alfred_Leonhart]

Maybe it was a lone archer who seized an opportunity to kill the leader of an opposing army. How Harold died is a legend after all so the details will always be unclear.

[@brianmurray7980]

Did I read that right? Emma of Normandy was 104 when she died? That's an amazingly long life for that time 😳

[@reneepop1017]

No she died at the age of 68. Guess it was a typo by them.

[@remklovs]

3:19 Oi! You gotta loisense fo' that cahsol mate?

[@skull2470]

I hope one day he covers the batter of He fei.

[@ivanmarconetti4029]

Excelente

[@kananzeynalzada1900]

Please make a video about the battle of Prut in 1711.

[@usvidragonslayer3091]

Cool video

[@jaronzennaiter]

Can you please do the dacian wars

[@chalinofalcone871]

"And Ardant du Picq points out that in all his years of conquest, Alexander the Great lost only seven hundred men to the sword. His enemy lost many, many more, but almost all of this occurred after the battle (which appears to have been an almost bloodless pushing match), when the enemy soldiers had turned their backs and begun to run. Carl von Clausewitz makes the same point when he notes that the vast majority of combat losses historically occurred in the pursuit after one side or the other had won the battle. (Why this occurs is a subject that will be looked at in detail in the section "Killing and Physical Distance.")" [Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, On Killing, Revised Edition, 2009]

[@ryan7775]

Your videos are currently the life blood of my breaks at work

[@ancorgarciaalvarez]

I was wondering what happened to Hannibal series. Did you guys abandoned it or are you going to finish it some day?

[@HistoryMarche]

I'll be finishing part 19 soon.

[@ancorgarciaalvarez]

@@HistoryMarche oh that's awesome. Thank you very much guys, I love your videos, really ❤️❤️❤️

[@subrisubrika5652]

I kinda wish there were some sources put in the description. Like who is John woody? How does he know this stuff?

[@muttilainenakseli6764]

He is like Robert Baratheon in France and Aegon conquer in England.

[@SolidAvenger1290]

More like Aegon in regards to English history leading up towards the War of the Roses. Daenerys was supposed to be like Henry VII, who successfully reconquer his rightful throne after the Civil War

[@secureguard673]

amaizing

[@legalna2rp]

A good film.

[@kingofthejungle3833]

Isn't William of Normandy's dynasty still in existence? I mean sure his house only lasted about 88 years but his dynasty lives on

[@thibaultsardet7399]

He continued indirectly with the Plantagenets.

[@mijanhoque1740]

Norman dynasty died literally within 100 years and got replaced by the French Plantagenet dynasty. Genetically speaking it survived but by through the female line of Empress Matilda. This was also the same case of the Wessex dynasty as it survived through the female line when Matilda of Scotland married Henry the 1st.