The Mythical Battle

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The Battle of Hastings is one of the key events in the history of the British Isles. This book is not merely another attempt to describe what happened at Hastings. It is an attempt to highlight two issues: how little we actually know for certain about the battle, and how the popular understanding of October 14, 1066 has been shaped by the concerns of later periods. It looks at perennial themes such as how Harold died and why the English lost, but also at other crucial issues, such as the diplomatic significance of William of Normandy's claim to the English throne, the Norman attempt to secure papal support, and the extent to which the Norman and Anglo-Saxon armies represented diametrically opposed military systems.