Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The force assembled by William, Duke of Normandy, to invade England did not consist solely of Normans. The duty imposed by feudalism did not include service overseas and William was therefore obliged to recruit widely to amass a sufficient army. Brittany was a dependent territory of his and Bretons were a substantial part of the invasion force. Among the battle tactics the Bretons are known to have favoured is that of feigned flight. During the Battle of Hastings the Normans fell back and were followed by the English on whom the knights then turned to do them severe damage. This took place on the western side of the battlefield, that contested by the Bretons. More than one such retreat took place, and it may or may not be that the Bretons were employing a favourite trick.

See also: Battle of Hastings; feigned flight; feudalism; Normans; Senlac Hill; tactics; William

Related Reading:

• The Normans (Elite 9)
• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )
• Campaigns of the Norman Conquest
  (Essential Histories 12)