What did William's army in the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 1

There are various estimates of the size of William's army, ranging from 4,000 to 20,000. I would go with 8000 or so.

His army was made up largely of Normans, but also men from Brittany and Flanders, along with mercenaries from France, Germany, Italy, and possibly elsewhere.

William's army, unlike Harold's which was entirely infantry, consisted of infantry, archers, and heavy cavalry. The Battle of Hastings was probably the first in Britain in which mounted cavalry used lances couched under the arm, which could be done because of the recent inventions of the stirrup and arched saddle, so the shock value of cavalry was very important. Also present in the Norman army were crossbowmen, possibly the first in Britain.

Answer 2

William's army was made up of archers, equipped with longbows and crossbows; infantry, wearing helmets, ring mail, spears, swords, and shields; and, most impressively, heavy cavalry with lances and shields. William's cavalry was among the first to use the couched lance, which could only be done because of the recently invented arched saddle and stirrup, and so they had great shock value, once the English lines were opened.

By contrast, Harold's army was entirely made up of infantry, with chain mail, helmets, shields, axes and swords. Their defense was a very powerful interlocked wall of shields. Breaking through that wall meant their defense would be rendered breached.

Possibly the turning point of the battle was when elements of the English army, sensing that they were winning, charged without orders, breaking the English lines and weakening the English position enormously.

Answer 3

i think williams army did somthing wrong and they did a deal with harolds army