You think you know the story of the Battle of Hastings? Did Harold really have an arrow in the eye? Did William the Conqueror really take the crown? Come and read our interactive story where YOU can choose the hero of the day.

1. Click to begin

2. X
Introduction Next Page
Edward’s Death
In 1066, Edward the Confessor had been the King of England for
the previous twenty three years. He had been a noble,
trustworthy and loyal King to his peasants. However, his nephew
Edgar had unfortunately passed on his recent bout of flu to
Edward. The King had become very weak and sickly. He was so
ill, that he threw up blood constantly and was unable to keep
down any food. His citizens knew that their wonderful kings
reign was about to crumble.
Whilst he was lying on his deathbed on the 5th January, his
beautiful wife came to lay beside him. He told her not to fear
because he had someone in mind who could replace him in the
role of King. Before he could say who it was, Edward gave one
final cough and splutter and died.

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There was a council of wise men known as
the Witan who were putting their heads
together to decide on the next king of
England. Everyone was desperate for
royalty but most were definitely not up to
the job. The Witan hunted for many weeks
to find a worthy monarch, until eventually,
they found four perfect candidates. Which
possible king do you want to learn about?
Back
Edgar William
Harold
the Duke of Harald Godwinson
Atheling Normandy Hardrada

4. • William was a popular and cunning Duke of Normandy. Who fancied himself to be sitting on the throne
of England. Because he was desperate to continue the fantastic reign of Edward and coating England in
his powerful battle strategies. However, his blood was not direct to point at Edward (never mind how
much he wanted it to) for he was the past king’s twenty-eighth cousin fifteen times over. As well as
this, he never managed to scrape the truth out of rather unbelievable statement that Edward swore
that William would be the next king of England. Nevertheless, it wasn’t proved it was a lie either .
• William believed that his rule would give all the country the welfare it needed because he was always
fair (mostly…sometimes…a bit… rarely…once in a thousand…never). His popularity with the Wittan
was boosted by his battle skills and he had led France into many victories, perfect for England! The
Wittan took advantage of these skills until he nearly topped the list…under Harold Godwinson.
William was furious! How could a posh nobleman, talented warrior, brother-in-law of king Edward and
girl scouter be the next monarch! In fact, some people say it was William that shipwrecked Harold;
but that’s a different story… That I’ll tell now.
• Harold Godwinson was in huge trouble , his boat had been shot down or broken by a rock but Harold was
unsure about which shipwrecked him. William took pity on Harold (or put his acting shoes on) and
kindly looked after him in France. In return for unbelievable favour there was an unbelievable return
(typical) . Harold swore on a box of saint’s bones that William would become the next king. William
had defeated Harold but Edgar and Harald Hardrada still had to be stopped and Willaim was determined
to get the crown.
• Who would you like William to fight?
Edgar the Harald Hardrada
Atheling

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Edgar the Atheling
Edgar was the sickly fourteen year old nephew of Edward the confessor, and when I
say sickly, I mean sickly, more like sick approximately three times an hour sickly.
He wasn’t the first choice for the Witan, or the girls, or actually anyone at all, but
despite his un-royal habits, he had big ambitions. Since the role of king had been
offered, he’d been determined to be chosen king to do great things for his country
(for once) as well as make his school his army (if he returned from his six month
absence that is).
As the closest blood relative to Edward, Edgar was sure he had the right to the
throne. And although he knew the others had a better chance, he still kept going
to earn his throne (a slight change from his bed which was green from sick). With
the disadvantage of his weakness, Edgar decided to make himself more regal. He
returned to school (causing everyone else to be absent) and worked as hard as he
could to give an educated option for king. Next, he took up sword fighting to give
a powerful option for king. And finally, greatest of them all,…. he took medicine.
Edgar was now prepared to fight anyone for the crown. Who did he fight?
William Harald
Duke of Hardrada
Normandy

6. Edgar v William Next page!
Edgar knew he had tough competition. But who needs a competition when
you can have a fight! He did some research and found that William
Duke of Normandy was also in the running for royalty. William was a
powerful soldier who the witan thought of as a foreigner with no right to
the title. Edgar would be known as a hero if he defeated someone with
that power. He asked his sword fighting tutor and the pupils in his
school to fight on his side and they set off for Hastings on the 10th of
October 1066.
After two days of travelling, Edgar and his new founded army eventually
arrived at the battlefield. They had another two days of battle
preparation before the Normans would arrive, so they set up camp
underneath a big old oak tree and rested.

7. Edgar v William Continued
Back
On the 14th October, Edgar’s army was woken by the sound of loud horn blows and galloping
hooves. The Normans had arrived. As a professional, Edgar’s sword fighting tutor was the
first to attack, causing the death of many Norman archers. However, not all of Edgar’s
soldiers were that good. After about half-an-hour of fighting, half of the pupils had been
killed. The school head boy, Cornelius Applebury (riding on his expensive but slow horse),
didn’t choose the most heroic of last words. “I could defeat these idiots blindfolded!”
After six hours of failure, it looked like there was no hope for the Atheling army. The only
survivors were Edgar and his sword fighting tutor, were as the majority of the Normans
were alive and well. In despair, Edgar sneezed on the now incredibly weak horse of Cornelius
Applebury. He lifted his sword up to his chest and… ZOOM!!! Applebury’s horse was
running faster than any athlete. He pierced straight through the archers, then the foot
soldiers and finally, yes! William was dead.
It turned out that the sneeze of a royal child could cure a horse of any illness and increase it’s
speed by one hundred miles per hour. So from then on, all of the horses in the royal stable
were treated that way.
CREDITS!

8. Edgar v Harald
Edgar wanted the crown and no-one was going to stop him. Harald Hardraada was known for his power and
violence. Edgar would be known as a fearsome warrior if he won the throne off the mighty Hardrada! He
prepared his bloodthirsty army (the pupils from his school and his sword fighting tutor) and set off for
Hastings on the 11th October 1066.
After one entire day of walking, the Atheling army arrived at the grey apple tree. Edgar looked up at Senlac hill.
Hundreds of scruffy Viking soldiers were standing there, preparing their horses and sharpening their
swords. Edgar gulped…and coughed…
Loud horn blows echoed through the air. The fight had begun. But, for some reason, the Vikings weren’t doing
their trademark charge. Instead, they were coughing, spluttering, and sneezing. Edgar’s sword fighting tutor
sped up the hill. “Come on! This is our chance! If we don’t kill them they will die of natural causes!”
Vikings were being killed by the dozens. Looking on the floor, only tiny scraps of green were showing through the
dead bodies and dried blood. The Athelings were winning nothing could stop them now, or so they thought.
The Viking medic recognised at once what was going on. Edgar had passed on the flu to the army, but luckily for
them, Norwegian medicine was much better than the English, and as quick as a flash, the few surviving
Vikings recovered.
Edgar knew he had no chance of winning but he kept on fighting. After a while, Edgar died of perfectly natural
causes, while his army were being cut to pieces.
Victory for Harald Hardrada! Credits!

9. X Harald Hadrada
Harald Hadrada was a blood thirsty Viking. He wasn’t a blood relative
to Edward he wasn’t even English!
Although he wasn’t a relative to English royalty he was a relative to
king Canute which also means he was a fat, ugly, pig!
He would not let anyone get between him and the throne, because he
was a direct descendent to the crown after king Canute. (But technically
speaking he might not fit in the throne!)
He loved the idea of having two countries. It ment he’d have even
more peasants to play with. He was really cruel (but I suppose you would have
guessed that by now !). He was furious because he found out that there were
three other contenders, he was prepared to fight –after this salmon
cuartage!-
After he’d finished lunch he was prepared to fight . But against who?
Edgar the William Duke
Atheling or of Normandy

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Edgar fights Harald!
Next
page
!
Harald decided to find Edgar after all, he was the closest blood relative
Edward practically making him king. He knew that although he was
dead handsome ( I know right) he wasn’t that popular- who would
have guessed!?
As soon as Hadrada had done some research “gasp!” (and had a sandwich-
which sounds about right) Harald decided that he had to go and fight
Edgar- guess who’s most likely to lose!?- and claim the title…
Harald landed on the beaches of Hastings on 14th October 1066 .
Surprisingly Edgar was already there (sick as ever), you see Edgar
had heard Harald’s plans and prepared-more or less. He was there;
alone. Well his servants died when he did the debrief as he coughed
and spluttered and vomited and gave them plague
“Ha that boy will never beat the mighty Hadrada” Laughed Harald. His
army screamed with laughter unfortunately what Harald didn’t know
was that Edgar had recently caught pneumonia after skinny dipping in
the Thames!!

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Edgar fights Harald! Part two
The battle started Harald's soldiers went first. Edgar went into a
coughing fit and all of Hardrada’s soldiers collapsed in a huge germ
fest.
Harald got scared; really scared. In fact he fainted so Edgar went over
and vomited on Harald. He died instantly. But just to make sure Harald
was dead, Edgar buried a knife into Harald’s infection.
So Edgar took the long wanted title, and became king, although he probably
wouldn’t have lasted two minuets! Anyway England finally had one clear
ruler.
CREDITS!

12. X
Harald knew that although he was dead handsome (I know
right) he wasn’t that popular. He had to do something, something that
would make his fearful name known across the world. Meanwhile over in
France, William of Normandy (or conqueror as more commonly known)
had the same idea, he wanted the crown to.
Harald set sail for England, unaware of William (and his schemes) and
on the 13 th of October, he landed in Hastings. He looked around and
thought to himself “ I would kill to rule England ,but first he had to
bring down the contestants, one at a time…
Since hearing the news, William was absolutely Terrified. How could a
stupid (literally) Viking already be in England? He had to act fast. Very
fast. When his army was well rested, he began to travel to England .
Harald laughed. He had just heard the news that William was coming.”
William” he asked “ the coward from Normandy, ha-ha. Ooooh I ‘m so
scared.” That night William landed on the shores of England and rested
until the morning…
In the morning, of the 14 th October 1066, the battle started and Harald
and his army were the first to attack. Both of the frightful warriors wide
awake and the battle was fearsome, most of Harald’s army got wiped
out! There were spears flying, arrows being shot even horses trampling

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Three little children in England were wondering “ how the pickle
sauce” did king William become king? He’s French!
They asked their mother and she told them this “our king William the
conqueror fought a mighty man called Harald Hardrada for the crown, but
when he tried to kill Williams horse he killed hardrada by slicing off his head.
Then she paused and pulled something out of the fire logs“ with this” the
children gasped the diamond encrested sword…
CREDITS!

14. Harold Godwinson, X
A worthy man who would never dream of simply collapsing during battle.
trustworthy and reliable he wouldn't ever let his outstanding country down!
Despite his many amazing qualities he was illegal to the throne. Harold
was popular with the peasants and the witan. While in France, shipwrecked
he stumbled across William duke of Normandy. Although Harold was a
foreigner here William took him in. In exchange for Williams hospitality
unbeknown to Harold he also swore on a box of saints bones to help
William become the next king of England.
Meanwhile in England, the Witan had chosen Harold to be the next king.
Harold was a very happy man. In addition to this he was prepared for
battle…
Shields, swords and armour poked out of the silver lined trousers he was
wearing. Even the horse had its own shield! He was ready to fight.
WhoEdgar the like Harold Harald
would who to fight? William
Duke of
Atheling Hardrada Normandy

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Back
ge
N ext Pa
Harold was determined to get the crown. Nothing was going to stop him and his
mighty army from fighting. He prepared for days, nights, weeks until he was ready .
Everyone from England had donated at least something to the noble English warrior
as they wanted him to win against the strong, mighty Norwegian king, Harald
Hardrada (well everyone except a French man supporting William, however he was
catapulted back to France!). His two groups of army – Fyrd and Housecarls marched
down to the battle site – Senlac Hill…
An English spy along with his team caught up with their army and informed them
that the Norwegians were at the coast of Hastings. Godwinson shouted “Quick! We
must be there before them!”. His army suddenly marched faster. Two days later, and
Harold Godwinson arrived at Senlac Hill, just minutes behind the Vikings. They
quickly got in their formations, just as the arrows from the Vikings started flying at
them. “Throw everything you have at them!” shouted Harold Godwinson. Housecarls
used their horses to knock out a couple of hundred Vikings. As the battle continued,
disaster struck for the English. They had run out of armour! Even the shields had
gone to kill the mighty Norwegians. But all didn’t work. The Vikings had more
people still standing than the Englishmen. It took his army no time to kill the
remaining warriors on the English side… But, still standing was Harold Godwinson
himself, who for the last 30 years was a famous foot soldier, meaning he can fight
using only his British hands and feet to fight. He gathered his last puff of energy,
and veered the half-broken sword from

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Hardrada’s hands straight to the ground. He quickly gathered the
half-broken sword and stabbed the powerless Norwegian in the
heart. Godwinson held his hands up and said “I won! Yes” over his
massive triumph! Two weeks later, a member of the Witan told the
people: “I am proud to announce Harold Godwinson King of
England after his victory over Harold Hardrada.” The whole of
England cheered for the new king!
CREDITS!

17. William the duke of Normandy what more do you want? Yet William was still
worthy of whatever would attempt to slaughter the title off him…
William declared war upon Harold Godwinson he rounded up his finest soldiers
and peasants' and travelled in boats to stop Harold. William also believed that
he had been promised the crown so he was ready to fight Harold Godwinson.
Meanwhile back in England, Harold had heard rumours that William was prepared
for battle. Hardrada gathered all of his pesants and gave them swords, shields
and as much weapons as he could get, and lined them up for battle.
However nineteen miles away William’s soldiers and pesants was slowly but
quietly rowing towards the shore. Harold’s phesants waited then suddenly the
screams of arrows, spears and axes flying through the air. Harold had ordered
them to attack. With arrows set alight, William's boats burnt to the bottom of
the ocean he and most of his men swam to the shore and the horses leaped
onto the sand. William’s footmen sprinted towards Harold’s men and cut them
down!
William’s men flanked up the sand dunes. At the bottom, Harold’s army were
prepared for battle. William’s archers , footmen and cavalry lined up for battle.
William signalled to his archers to fire. Godwinson’s men covered themselves
in shields. His cavalry charged into Harold's men and they knock them down.
They galloped back and William’s archers stopped firing and his men retreated
and Harold’s men followed and they broke the wall of shields, and William’s
archers fired up into the air and an arrow struck the king in the eye…!

18. Harold Godwinson, king of England what more could you ask for ? Yet Harold was still
weary of whoever would attempt to murder the title off him. Rumours spread about the
kingdom of a sickly boy of fourteen of age claimed that the crown was promised to him.
Harold could not take any chances. He gathered up the housecarls , with enormous
shields and huge axes and there were peasants trained up to join Harold's army they
were ready to fight but was Edgar…?
Meanwhile when Edgar lay in his bed coughing and spluttering ,he was thinking what he
should do. He knew he was going to have to battle. He was faced with a dilemma so he
went outside to get some air. Then there it was he should gather an army of a fatal
outcome. He trained up an army of peasants and marched off to battle!...
They met at Senlac hill , a big field with a grey apple tree. Harold's army was on top of a
hill he had the advantage of the terrain. They faced each other shoulders broad and axes
drawn they were ready to fight it out to the gory death!

19. The Saxons were lined up with their shields overlapping, it was unbreakable. Meanwhile Edgar ‘ s
army had caught the flu from the source Edgar. So they were not at their best. Atheling ‘s army
charged up to Harold's unbreakable wall of shields. Harold's army had already killed half of Edgar ‘s
so Edgar's army ran off to the corner of the field and Harold's army cornered them. Harold stepped
out from among the crowd and with his sword drawn. Edgar knew what was coming so he knelt down ,
gave one final cough and splutter and suddenly sprung up and demanded to charge at Harold. There
were limbs flying everywhere the clash of swords crashing it was mayhem and finally it was Edgar
and Harold in the final face off. They both charged at each other and then the “ahhhhhhh” came from
one person and it was Harold…
It had turned out that Edgar tripped and his sword flung the air like and arrow towards Harold the
sword plunged through his chest and eventually reaching his heart. He was dead…
Since Harold's untimely death the witan had no choice but to crown Edgar the new king of England.
After a reign of four years Edgar died from the plague , and a new king would have to be chosen all
over again…
CREDITS!

20. Thanks For Reading!
C lick to E x i t !
Written By:
Rosie Vernon
Greg Walton
Tessa Sheffield
Mitchell Hoult
Jack Baxter
Francesca Moore
Matthew Batty
© Brainiacs Productions!