Hastings 1066 [Paperback]

The battle in which the destruction of the shield wall changed Western Europe forever.

In 1066, a foreign invader won the throne of England in a single battle and changed not only the history of the British Isles but of Christendom forever. Harold Godwinsons army, exhausted from their victory against an invading Norwegian Viking army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in the north, and his navy, scattered by storms, could not hold back William of Normandy. But would the invasion have succeeded if the two armies had met on equal terms?

Author and ex-Captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment Jonathan Trigg brings a soldiers eye to the story to explain the precise circumstances of the conflict and the reasons for the outcome. The Battle of Hastings is in fact a tactical lesson in the use of all arms: Harolds forces consisted entirely of infantry. William had the best cavalry in Europe, perhaps the world, heavily armoured and armed with lance and shield. He also had crossbowmen, never before seen in England. This book gives a clear, concise account of the Battle of Hastings and the events that influenced it, supported by a timeline of events and orders of battle. Over fifty images illustrate the events during this momentous campaign.

• A best-selling series in the U.K., Battle Stories presents detailed profiles of the great battles that shaped modern history
• Dramatic illustrations, maps, and profiles of the battle's key figures
• Packed with fact boxes, this short introduction is the perfect was to explore these major battles
• Written by leading experts in world military history

Jonathan Trigg served in the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment, reaching the rank of captain and completing tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and the Middle East. He is an established writer on military history.The great battle that shaped European history but more important laid the path to modern England is expertly related anlC%