William the Conqueror

Marshalling of Forces

Harold Hardraada had already been planning an invasion and was practically ready to go, when he was delayed by rebellions within his own lands and was unable to go until September.

William spent the summer building a fleet and gathering his army for the invasion. He was ready in August, but the fleet was bottled up at Saint-Valèry by contrary winds. Attack by sea was always risky and William did not dare to chance it when the winds made it difficult to land.

Harold Godwinson gathered his army in southern England (his natural power base) and did what he could to rally support. But he had supply problems, and his army was not tied to him by personal oaths of loyalty. So on September 8 he dismissed all but his personal retainers.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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