Housecarl 1066
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Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
Supposedly, having been detected on Caldbec Hill by the screen of alert Norman scouts, King Harold ordered some of his men to dash ahead of the main army and seize the high ground on this strategic hill (2m north of Battle Hill -the usually accepted battle-site).
Likewise, Duke William sent forward some of his own men, especially his crossbowmen whose bolts so terrified the inexperienced fyrdsmen that they withdrew to the ranks of the main army. Luckily the huscarls were tougher and had seen these type of enemy soldier before, and they took the hill.
William of Poitiers stated that a large Danish contingent was at Hastings (presumably either allowed by Harold's cousin King Swein of Denmark to be present, or were they also mercenaries like many housecarls and French/Breton/Sicilian/Normans?) that they deployed on higher ground on a hill near to the wood from which they(the English) had emerged.
Was this the resulting pre-battle skirmish (above)?
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1/2/2009, 3:59 pm
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mousteriana
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Re: Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
Housecarl:
Kings and other rulers of the time commonly used mercenaries to flesh out their "professional" fighting men, of which there never were all that many. So it wouldn't be surprising if some Danes added themselves to Harold's forces and fought for him. But then, as you've pointed out, William used them, too. This of course, doesn't answer your question. But it might explain a few things here and there.
Anne G
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1/3/2009, 11:23 pm
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WilliamtheRed Forum1
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Re: Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
Housecarl and Anne G
Our Forum stands with Ordericus Vitalis who clearly asserts that the battlesite was Senlac ie Senlac Hill.
Skirmishes were commonplace before a battle,each side probing the other to gain an advantage.Taillefer's one-man assault on the Usurper's shield-wall prior to the battle is legendary and constituted another kind of probe to 'wrong-foot' the enemy. It is worth remembering that there was a dense mist hanging over Caldbec and the surrounding area around day break where such a skirmish might have been suggested.If so, it would hardly be the most appropriate time for such a probe.Concerning the Housecarls,it does not seem probable that the Usurper would have wanted to divide his most loyal supporters in that way when he could not be certain when the Conqueror would attack.The political role of the Housecarls has always been a subject of lively and not a little acrimonious debate among historians in the light of their Cnutian origins and the claim of Sweyn of Denmark to rule in Angleland in 1066.That might explain the suggestion that they 'broke ranks' without the Usurper being aware. We are however dubious about that and indeed the skirmish incident itself.
Lydia Giles,Pereobu,Paul,Becky,John G,Martin Tilston,Bev Morton (all in personal capacity)
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1/13/2009, 11:00 pm
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mousteriana
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Re: Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
WRTF:
I think you're actually right about this one, this time. At least, that isn't too far from the way I see it at that particular moment, although the Taillifer story is probably "legendary".
Anne G
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1/14/2009, 2:48 am
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wulfstan
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Re: Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
Since the Norman panegyrists were notorious liars some of these details of the battle are highly suspect.
Greg
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3/9/2009, 4:48 am
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mousteriana
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Re: Skirmish for Battle Hill, 1066?
Wulfstan:
I think that it's Master Wace who tells the "Taillefer" story. Many historians consider him suspect, but some do not.
Anne G
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3/9/2009, 11:00 pm
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