William the Conqueror
allied with Tostig Godwinson, had landed ten miles from York; Harold was forced to march
against them.
· Duke William landed at Pevensey
Before Harold could return from York to south south William landed his army at Pevensey
Bay . Then he decided to move to Hastings, where he built a prefabricated wooden castle for a
base of operations. From there, he ravaged the hinterland and waited for Harold's return from
the north.
· Harold Godwineson returned to London.
William chose Hastings as it was at the end of a long peninsula flanked by impassable
marshes. Battle was on the isthmus. Harold had been reconnoitering the south of England for
some time and well appreciated the need to occupy this isthmus at once.
Battle of Hastings
· The English army -7,500 men
The English army had fought a major battle at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire less than three
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