The Battle of Hastings is a legendary conflict in English history, centered on King Harold Godwinson's fight to defend his throne against William, Duke of Normandy, who claimed King Edward the Confessor promised him succession. This battle was not just for the throne but reshaped England's destiny. One enduring image from the Bayeux Tapestry shows Harold struck by an arrow to the eye, but did this iconic scene truly occur? Historical accounts offer differing versions, leaving the truth uncertain. Harold was a seasoned warrior, having defeated a Viking invasion and killed Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, marking the end of the Viking Age in England. How fierce was the struggle at Hastings, and how did it truly unfold? Sources from the period offer conflicting tales, challenging modern historians to piece together this contested history. Norman propaganda depicted Harold's death as divine punishment to legitimize William the Conqueror's claim. This narrative suggested Harold broke an oath to William and deserved divine retribution. But how true is this propaganda? Join us as we explore the sources in chronological order to understand the evolution of battle narratives and why modern history teaches Harold's famed arrow-to-the-eye death. Key Timeline:00:00 Introduction02:20 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1066)03:10 The Song of the Battle of Hastings (1066-1067)05:35 Bayeux Tapestry (1070s)08:26 Gesta Willelmi ducis Normannorum et regis Anglorum (1071-1077)11:01 Chronicon ex Chronicis (Early 1100s)12:25 Gesta Regum Anglorum (1125)14:10 Historia Anglorum (1129-1135)15:00 Vie de seint Aedward le Rei (1230s-1240s)17:06 Conclusion Music: "VOICE OF PRAYER" by Noel MalekarListen on YouTube 00:00:00: Introduction00:02:20: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1066)00:03:10: The Song of the Battle of Hastings (1066-1067)00:05:35: Bayeux Tapestry (1070s)00:08:26: Gesta Willelmi ducis Normannorum et regis Anglorum (1071-1077)00:11:01: Chronicon ex Chronicis (Early 1100s)00:12:25: Gesta Regum Anglorum (1125)00:14:10: Historia Anglorum (1129-1135)00:15:00: Vie de seint Aedward le Rei (1230s-1240s)00:17:06: Conclusion #HaroldGodwinson #BattleofHastings #WilliamtheConqueror #BayeuxTapestry #Normanconquest #Anglo-Saxon #VikingAge #medievalhistory #Englishthrone See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/68e949a288bb078776ec23bd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices