Norman Conquest Timeline

AFTERMATH OF THE BATTLE

Hastings, 15 October 1066

William awoke this morning in the sure knowledge that he was at least for the moment, Conqueror of England. But a heavy price was paid for his victory. The battlefield today was a gruesome sight, piled high with bodies, some of whom had already been stripped of their mail.

Both sides spent the day burying their dead. Those friends and relatives of the fallen Englishmen who did approach the battlefield were granted permission to remove the bodies for burial. The rest lie where they fell.

Wild rumours were circulating that Harold had survived the battle and fled the field to make ready for another attack. However, William let it be known that Harold's body was handed over to the English camp last night for burial. His wife, Edith Swan-Neck had to be brought in to identify the corpse, which was so mutilated by the wounds it had received as to be almost unrecognisable. It is thought that Harold's mother, Gytha, intends to bury him at Waltham, at the Abbey that Harold himself built as a shrine to the Holy Rood.

William and his remaining troops are to return to Hastings, there to recover from the battle and doubtless to take stock of the situation. What is certain is that, despite yesterday's decisive victory, William will have to face more fighting in order to secure his position. Speculation is rife about what the remaining English leaders will do, but it is considered unlikely that they will tamely submit to a Norman overlord.

At the moment, then, the future of England could still be said to hang in the balance. William has won one battle. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to consolidate this victory and survive to take the crown.

Article by Nigel Cawthorne