October 14, 1066. Decisive
battle between the English forces of Harold Godwineson,
king of England, and William I,
duke of Normandy. Haroldâs forces were exhausted, on foot, having marched from a victorious battle against
cavalry in September 26. Drawing the
shield men into a line across the top of the hill, Williamâs cavalry threw themselves against the wall to no avail. Finally, the cavalry retreated in apparent disorder, through a ruse, and fell upon Haroldâs now disogranized foot as they pursued in search of
booty . Harold himself took an arrow to the eye, and William was able to march into England, establishing a Norman conquest leaving an indelible mark on English culture. The battle also reinforced the medieval belief in the superiority of mounted cavalry against foot, delaying the experimentation of medieval armies with mixed forces until the late 14th century.
