(A)
Chronicle of Battle Abbey (c. 1155)
In the year 1066, the most noble William, duke of the Normans,
sailed with a mighty army against England... William called together
his barons and knights and roused them to fight faithfully in battle.
His speech made the men more courageous; they entered the fight determinedly,
and at last, as God had planned, on 14th October they won the victory.
(B)
William
of Jumieges, The Deeds of the
Dukes of the Normans (c. 1070)
Duke William... engaged the enemy at (9 a.m.) and the carnage
continued until nightfall.... Harold himself fell... with lethal
wounds. The English, learning that their king had met his death, despairing
of their lives, with night approaching, turned about and sought safety
in flight.
(C)
Anglo-Saxon
Chronicles, Version E (1066)
Many English deserted from the line, and very few stood firm
with him: yet from the third hour of the day until evening he resisted
his foes with the utmost courage... But alas, after so many had fallen
on both sides, Harold himself was slain as the evening shadows lengthened.
(D)
Anglo-Saxon
Chronicles, Version D (1066)
William came against him by surprise before his army was
drawn up in battle array. But the king nevertheless fought hard against
him... and there were heavy casualties on both sides. King Harold
was killed... and many good men... God granted the French victory
to them because of the sins of the English people.
The
Normans: Classroom Activities
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