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Year 10
AQA

Luck and the Battle of Hastings

I can evaluate the importance of luck in the Battle of Hastings.

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Year 10
AQA

Luck and the Battle of Hastings

I can evaluate the importance of luck in the Battle of Hastings.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Luck was considered important in both Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures and was linked to God's favour.
  2. The Viking invasion of September 1066 had significant consequences for William's invasion and the Battle of Hastings.
  3. Medieval battles were often decided by luck, but William's planning, tactics and leadership were significant.
  4. William was fortunate not to face further attacks after the Battle of Hastings.

Keywords

  • Victory - victory is the act of defeating an enemy

Common misconception

Medieval sources may be biased but the events they record did take place.

Medieval sources were influenced by classical authors, and events were often made up to match classical accounts - for example, great events being delayed because the wind was in the wrong direction.


To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Luck and the Battle of Hastings, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

A recap of key events in September and October 1066 would be a useful way to start this lesson in the classroom.
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content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes a building for monks or nuns to live and work in?
Correct Answer: abbey, Abbey, monastery, Monastery
Q2.
Which word describes an area of land that is nearly an island - surrounded by the sea on three sides?
oath
Correct answer: isthmus
manoeuvre
isosceles
Q3.
Complete the sentence with the missing word: Harold's orders were for his troops to gather at the ‘grey apple tree’; this was probably a point for the Sussex fyrd.
Correct Answer: muster, Muster
Q4.
Why was the ridge an important feature of the Battle of Hastings battlefield?
Correct answer: This is where Harold positioned his forces.
This is where William positioned his forces.
It made William's defences stronger as it meant Harold had to attack uphill.
Correct answer: It made Harold’s defences stronger as it meant the Normans had to attack uphill.
Q5.
Why could a historian argue that William made a poor leadership decision in picking Senlac Hill as the site of the battlefield?
The top of the hill was sandy - challenging for Harold's troops to manoeuvre.
The top of the hill was marshy - challenging for Harold's troops to manoeuvre.
The base of the hill was sandy - challenging for William's troops to manoeuvre.
Correct answer: The base of the hill was marshy - challenging for William's troops to manoeuvre.
Q6.
Which of the following may have been Harold's tactics during the Battle of Hastings?
to break out of the Hastings isthmus
Correct answer: to block William’s escape routes
Correct answer: to defend his location until the rest of his troops arrived
to draw Harold down to flatter ground where his knights could fight effectively

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes the act of defeating an enemy?
Correct Answer: victory, Victoy
Q2.
Complete the sentence: Luck was considered important in both Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures and was linked to favour.
Correct Answer: God's, Gods, gods, god's
Q3.
Which of the following statements suggest that Hardrada and Tostig’s invasion was bad luck for Harold?
Many of the Viking troops had left their armour on their ships.
Correct answer: He had to march north to defeat their invasion and leave the south undefended.
He was able to march very quickly with his army.
He was able to use fyrd system effectively.
Q4.
When had William originally planned to cross the Channel?
July
Correct answer: August
September
October
Q5.
Which of the following events could have involved luck just before and during the Battle of Hastings?
Correct answer: Harold’s rush down to Hastings
Harold was killed or injured because of a deliberate tactic.
Correct answer: rumours of William’s death
Correct answer: Harold's failure of surprise attack
The feigned retreat was a tactic Norman knights trained for.
Q6.
What happened to William in Dover that meant he was lucky not to be attacked whilst he was waiting here with his troops after the Battle of Hastings?
He married an Anglo-Saxon.
He recovered from a serious injury.
Correct answer: He became very ill.
He became hungover from celebrating.