I've played out the battle of Hastings c. a couple of dozen times as a miniature wargame simulation. Also, I have "fought" in the battle, and might do so again (English Heritage invites internationals to participate every five or six years in the battle of Hastings reenactment held in Battle, East Sussex).
- detail from the Bayeux Tapestry
Shortly after William the Conqueror won the battle of Hastings, the Bayeux Tapestry was created to teach the (politically correct) Anglo-Norman view of why the Norman conquest had to happen.
A rather detailed and lengthy monograph is offered below (with notes and my sources). Covered are: the main historical elements and events that set the stage for the battle of Hastings and Norman conquest: an examination of potential and realistic army strengths: orders of battle provided, including a breakdown into troop types for wargaming.
As the subheading of this site suggests, my focus upon the battle of Hastings is from a wargamer's perspective: that is, the details of the battle are checked and either refuted or corroborated through "play-testing" the battle of Hastings in miniature. For those interested specifically in the wargame aspects, a shortcut is the Wargame appendix.
If you are also interested in the rules I used to play these battles -
The Art of War, Tactical Warfare in Miniature for Pre-gunpowder Armies -
click here
