a strategy is a plan of the actions that are needed in order to achieve an aim

a tactic is an action that helps to achieve something specific

a feigned retreat is pretending to retreat in order to lure the enemy into a more vulnerable position

Norman weapons, armour and tactics

History

In 'Norman England: how did William the Conqueror subdue England?', pupils learnt about the reaction of the Anglo-Saxons to Norman rule and how William consolidated his 1066 victories. In this unit, pupils will learn how their knowledge of Norman England can be applied to a specific historic environment linked to the Normans.

Historic environment (Norman England)

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

There are no sources about the Battle of Hastings.

The Normans didn't want anyone to know for sure so they could reuse the tactic.

The best sources historians have for the battle say different things.

Why can't historians say for certain that the Normans used a feigned retreat tactic at the Battle of Hastings?

Which of the following were weapons used by the Normans at the Battle of Hastings?

a plan of the actions that are needed in order to achieve an aim

an action that helps to achieve something specific

pretending to retreat and luring the enemy into a vulnerable position

Match the keyword to the correct definition.

a strip of metal on a helmet to protect the face

Match the armour terms to their correct definitions.

Which tactic did Harold’s army need to use to defend until reinforcements arrived?

direct attack by archers, foot soldiers and cavalry on the shield wall

cavalry surrounded and killed Anglo-Saxons who ran after the fleeing Normans

knights sent to cut down scattered groups of Anglo-Saxons

Put the Norman tactics in order of how they were used in the Battle of Hastings, starting with the earliest.

Which word describes a new way of doing something, based on new ideas or developments?

What types of soldiers did the Norman infantry contain?

Why did Norman infantry have rounded or conical shaped helmets?

What is the name of a weapon used by the Normans that used bolts to punch through chainmail and shields?

throw spears first, then fight the enemy hand to hand

advance towards the enemy at William’s command

weaken the enemy as soon as they were in range

Which of these best describes the role of the Norman archers in the Battle of Hastings?

Which one of these held the Norman knight up, so he could fight from the saddle?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Norman weapons, armour and tactics

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.