Year 4 Battle of Hastings

On a typically wet and windy autumnal morning the year 4 boys, who had been learning about the Battle of Hastings in History lessons, ventured outside to re-enact the battle for themselves. The previous week, the boys had written their own stirring speeches pretending to be William of Normandy, at the moment that he rejuvenated his troops and declared his battle tactics in order to defeat King Harold and the English in 1066. The two winners from year 4 were named the kings of their armies and armed with swords, marched their men onto the Haberdashers’ playing fields and set them into position.

The weather did not deter the two armies and rather, seemed to add an even greater sense of realism to the battle scene. The two leaders arranged their men, Harold in his English red grouped together on top of the hill, whilst the Normans waited eagerly in their well organised rows at the bottom.

The events of the battle were narrated to the soldiers and the boys acted out the various stages until the rumours spread that William of Normandy had been killed. At that moment, William took off his helmet and gave a passionate speech to his troops, declaring that they must fight on and follow his ‘retreat’ tactics.

Thankfully for the Normans, the English fell for William’s clever plan and soon King Harold was isolated, with only a few English foot soldiers to protect him. The king, who was struck by an arrow in the eye, was left on the battlefield with his men before William claimed the crown and the English throne.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all the year 4 boys and really helped them visualise the battle scene.