On the morning of the 14th of October the two armies clashed on the Santlache (sandy stream) ridge near the present day town of Battle in East Sussex. Harold set off on another forced march southwards to challenge the new invaders. Duke William's Norman fleet landed shortly afterwards on the south coast.
Harold marched the 190 miles from Wessex to York to defeat the invaders. His brother Tostig joined with King Harald Hardrada of Norway in a concerted attack against York in early autumn of 1066. In the meantime, Harold was busy dealing with other threats to his realm. Outraged, William began to prepare an army and invasion fleet to take by force the kingdom he maintained was his by right. However, amidst the rumors of strong-arm tactics, Harold was crowned King on January 6th 1066, the day of Edward's death. These two factors, coupled with support from the papacy, gave William reason to believe that when the childless Edward died, the crown of England would be his. Harold himself had been rescued from captivity in France by the Duke, and had subsequently sworn fealty to him. Harold's predecessor, Edward the Confessor, had been a sympathizer of William Duke of Normandy. As well as political machinations of various powerful families within the realm, political leaders on the continent, particularly Denmark and Normandy, also had designs on the crown. Shortly after the beginning of the year 1066, King Harold Godwinson sat uneasily on the throne of England. After Harold is slain, his army would instantly surrender, expect the Huscarls. When the Saxon's infantries get down from the hill to attack the Armoured Sergants' shield wall and leave King Harold and two units of Huscarls vulnerable, attack them using Mailed Knights (or also Duke William). When some of the Knights you had sent is being killed, retreat to your spear line to lure the Saxons out. Set their stance to defense position, then using a single unit of Mailed Knights to attack the Earl's Huscarls. When 5 of the Earl's Huscarls on each unit are killed, the adviser will notify you to attack the Saxon's troops then retreat to draw them out to fight against your Armored Sergeants. Harold Godwinson, and 60 of his bodyguardsĪ common tactic (as it were guided by adviser) is using Archer Militias to attack the Earl's Huscarls (depicting Harold's brothers) at the left and right side of the Saxons' shield wall formation.Harold's army is composed almost entirely of spearmen, with several units of heavy infantry and a few of peasants. William of Normandy, and 32 of his bodyguards.The Historical Battle has the player command the entire Norman force, and has a different intro and terrain than the tutorial.ĭuke William's army is composed mainly of spearmen, with many units of heavy cavalry, and several of archers.
The Tutorial has you take the role of Duke William's son, Rufus, as you protect the Norman army's flank from a Saxon attack, then join William for the attack against the Saxon shield wall. 2.1.1 Duke William of Normandy (Normans).