The Battle of Hastings from Literature
More Literature pages
These are the sources that we're aware of that refer to the Battle of Hastings. A work on progress and more info will be added over time.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- "Meantime Earl William came up from Normandy into Pevensey on the eve of St. Michael's mass; and soon after his landing was effected, they constructed a castle at the port of Hastings. This was then told to King Harold; and he gathered a large force, and came to meet him at the estuary of Appledore. William, however, came against him unawares, ere his army was collected; but the king, nevertheless, very hardly encountered him with the men that would support him: and there was a great slaughter made on either side. There was slain King Harold, and Leofwin his brother, and Earl Girth his brother, with many good men: and the Frenchmen gained the field of battle, as God granted them for the sins of the nation." From the Worchester Manuscript (D) [INGRAM 1912]
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts |
A The Winchester Manuscript (Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, MS. 173) |
Date Written | |
About the Author | |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations | A [SWANTON 2000]:p.194 & p.196; D [SWANTON 2000]:p.199; E [SWANTON 2000]:p.198; [INGRAM 1912] |
Bishop Guy of Amiens, Song of the Battle of Hastings
Original Name | Carmen de Hastingae Proelio |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1067 |
About the Author | Died in 1075AD. The uncle of Count Guy of Ponthieu and an uncle (or step uncle) of Count Eustace of Boulogne. [BRIDGEFORD 2004]:p.23. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
William of Jumièges, Deeds of the Dukes of the Normans
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1070 |
About the Author | A Norman monk |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
William of Poitiers, The Deeds of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1071 |
About the Author | A Norman knight who joined the church, became William's chaplain and biographer. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
The Bayeux Tapestry
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1077 |
About the Author | Probably for Bishop Odo and William the Conquerors brother. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
Amatus of Montecassino, The History of the Normans
Original Name | L'Ystoire de li Normant |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1080 |
About the Author | |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
Baldric of Dol (Baudril of Bourgueil)
Original Name | Adelae Comitissae |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1100 |
About the Author | |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
Eadmer, The History of recent events in England
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1121-1124 |
About the Author | An English monk from Christ Church in Canterbury. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1125 |
About the Author | An English monk with a Norman father and an English mother. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations | [GILES 1847] |
Orderic Vitalis, Historia Ecclesiastica
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1123–1131 |
About the Author | Born in England, son of a French priest. Joined a Norman abbey at the age of 11. Based partly on William of Poitiers account. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
Henry of Huntingdon, Historia Anglorum
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1129-1135 |
About the Author | He was raised in the wealthy court of Robert Bloet of Lincoln who was also his patron. Robert was a Royal clerk of William the conqueror, chancellor to William II and related to Hugh the Bishop of Bayeux. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations |
John of Worcester, Chronicon ex chronicis.
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1138 |
About the Author | An English monk. |
Sources used | Based in part on Eadmer's 'The History of resent events in England'. |
Transcripts and Translations |
Master Wace, The Chronicle of the Norman Conquest.
Original Name | |
Surviving Manuscripts | |
Date Written | c.1174 |
About the Author | Although born in Jersey he was raised in Normandy and became the Canon of Bayeux. |
Sources used | |
Transcripts and Translations | [TAYLOR 1837] |
See Also
Other resources that discuss this subject:
bayeux-tapestry.org.uk
References