1Early on the Autumn morning of Saturday 14 October 1066 two great armies face off in battle for the throne of England. On top of the hill are the English forces of King Harold who has marched his exhausted army at great speed after his victory over his Norwegian rival.

2 The battle opens to the sound of trumpets on both sides. William’s men advance up the hill, led by lightly armed foot soldiers and archers. Behind them are ranks of heavily armed infantry and cavalry who will drive home the attack. Fighting is ferocious and bloody but with the advantage of the slope and their wall of shields the English resist every assault.

3 The first Norman attack falters, breaks and is driven back. There is a rumour that Duke William has fallen in the fighting. Terrified by the news the Norman army disengages from the shield wall and retreats. As it falls back the English pursue the retreating Normans down the hill.

4 William rallies his forces by raising the visor on his helmet and showing his face to prevent his army from fleeing. Riding out to meet his retreating forces he cries out that he is alive and berates them for their cowardice. The army stops retreating and the battle is resumed.

5 The successful Norman counter attack brings the first phase of the battle to an end in the early afternoon. No side has won a clear advantage and the soldiers on both sides are exhausted although the English are being reinforced by late arrivals. Duke William must act now and once again orders his men forward.

6 William’s advances have weakened the ranks of Harold’s shield wall and William now sends his archers forward to fire into the English line and weaken it further. One of the arrows seems to have wounded or killed King Harold! The Normans now begin a last fierce assault of the weakened English line.

7 It is now clear that the English are not going to be easily defeated. To create gaps in the shield wall groups of Normans pretend to flee the battle, then suddenly turn and trap the pursuing English soldiers. A series of such false retreats (a common Norman battle tactic) proves very successful but the English line continues to hold fast. What more can William do to secure victory?

8 With his sword flashing in the sunlight William rallies his forces once more. His troops respond and turn upon the English who have pursued them down the hill. They have been separated from the safety of the shield wall and are surrounded and annihilated.

9 It is now dusk. The battle has been long and bloody. During the final Norman assault the shield wall breaks and the Normans slaughter all at hand and pursue any who try to flee. In one day on a battlefield in Hastings a kingdom has been lost and another won.