History of War Summary 20 - William's Conquest of England Part 4: Harold's Death and the Norman Victory

In the Battle of Hastings, the English army formed a dense shield wall using the high ground. William's Norman forces first deployed infantry and archers, and used cavalry to pressure the flanks, but the English defensive line did not easily break. During the battle, when the Norman army appeared to retreat, some English soldiers broke formation to pursue, and William used this to counterattack. As this situation repeated, the English formation gradually weakened. As the sun began to set, the Norman army began to break through the shield wall, and King Harold was killed in action. The exact manner of Harold's death remains debated due to discrepancies between later records and the Bayeux Tapestry's depiction. However, it is clear that his death was a crucial turning point that shattered the English army's organized resistance. Victorious at Hastings, William secured a decisive military foundation to claim the English throne and subsequently advanced towards London.