Hastings Notes

*Duke of Normandy - The ruler of the province of Normandy in France.

Theoretically, this lesser ruler was subject to the King of France and ruled
Normandy in his name.

*Normans - The former Vikings who came to live in the province of Normandy,
given to them by the King of France. They adopted many elements of French
culture, language and religion (Catholic Christianity). They were led by their ruler,
Duke William, at the Battle of Hastings.

*​Anglo-Saxons - The race of people who inhabited England before the arrival of
the Normans. The Anglo-Saxons were also Catholic, but had a distinct language
and culture from the Normans. They were led by their ruler, Harold Godwinson, at
the Battle of Hastings. After the Normans conquered them, they continued to live
in England, but the Normans now ruled over them and replaced the Anglo-Saxon
upper class.

*Heirs - People who are legally entitled to rule a territory after the death of its
ruler. These are usually the children of the ruler, but precisely who would be the
heir of a ruler varied from place to place and during different time periods.

*Succession Crisis - When a ruler has no clear heirs, several people may claim the
right to the throne. This often caused political disputes and war in the Middle Ages.
The Battle of Hastings was caused by a succession crisis, since both Duke William
and Harold Godwinson claimed the right to rule.

*Infantry - Soldiers who fight on foot, usually with spears and shields.

*Shieldwall - When infantry form a line, locking their shields together to protect
themselves and their fellow soldiers from arrows and attacks in close combat, and
to form a solid defensive line.
*Archers - Soldiers who shoot arrows at the enemy with their bows.

*Cavalry - Soldiers who fight on horseback. The most important cavalry in the
Middle Ages were knights, who were heavily armoured and usually fought with
long spears and shields. Knights would charge their foes, and could destroy
infantry formations if they were not formed into a solid shieldwall.

*Tapestry - A tapestry is a thick fabric woven to depict images, and sometimes

includes written descriptions​.