The background to Hastings is well known, with an English king (Edward the Confessor, who had spent years before his crowning exiled in Normandy and encouraged Norman interests to off-set local rivals) dying childless. The England of the day actually made accession a “vote” of the most powerful lords and Harold Godwinson was the overwhelming choice...but not without exterior rivals. Harold III of Norway (commonly called “Hardrada,”) brought up an accession vow issued by Edward’s predecessor, Harthacnute, the one Viking who actually had ruled the whole British Isle. William of Normandy, (where Vikings had been intermingling and expanding since invited to settle in 911 A.D. by French ruler Charles the Simple - who certainly earned his title) claimed Edward had promised him the throne while exiled and that Harald, who had been William’s “guest” after a shipwreck, and sworn to uphold the promise. Both Harald and William gathered forces to press their claims, Harald picking up a disaffected brother of the English king for local support.
William landed with little opposition, set up a defensive beachhead, and began pillaging the surrounding area, both to appease his troops (at least half of which were mercenaries) and to pressure Harold to respond quickly. Harold did, bringing the remnants of his battered army all the way from York in a march that would be considered legendary (if they had won.) The inside story is that Harold’s brothers suggested he remain in London, raising more troops, while they took the tired or hastily gathered troops to Pevensey. If they beat William, end of story. If they lost, Harold would be ready with another army. It was the smart move, but analyzing Harold’s mind-set suggests that the Papal Banner William carried really affected him, and he looked forward to head-to-head battle to decide the issue - “trial by combat” in a large scale.
Hastings: 1066 includes:
One full color, 11” x 17” mounted map and loss track
90 larger 9/16" full color, die-cut counters
12 page rulebook
