What was the difference between Harolds soldiers and Williams soldiers in the battle of hastings?

Answer 1

Harold's army was a fairly typical Anglo-Saxon army. It was a fyrd, which was a sort of militia army. It was almost entirely infantry, and was supported by Harold's housecarles, an elite heavy infantry force. Since the fyrd was defending, they deployed using the "shieldwall", which was a defensive stance that involved the soldiers standing close together so their large shields resembled a protective wall. Additionally, they set up on a hill, which made their defensive formation even more effective.

William's army was a "modern" (for that time) army. It was about half infantry, and the other half was cavalry (knights) and missile troops (archers and crossbowmen). It was more tactically flexible than Harold's old-style fyrd, and when they were initially unable to bypass the fyrd's shieldwall, they were able to adapt and ultimately defeat it.

Answer 2

Harold's warriors were mainly a heavy infantry army. They have no cavalry and a very little number of bowmen. They were very strong combatants and Harold's Houscarles were probably the best infantry of that time in Europe.

William's army was better structured. There were infantry, light and heavy cavalry and a lot of archers. According to its structure, William's army were able to develop several tactical schemes on the battlefields because their units weren't made up of feudal levies but of well trained professional warriors.

Last but not least, the Saxon Army was somewhat tired when the battle started, while their opponent could rest for many days after they landed and

Harold's army reached the battlefield.

Answer 3

Harold's army was a fairly typical Anglo saxon army while William's army was a mordern [for that time ]army.