It’s the one date everyone can remember, even appearing in the title of the spoof history book 1066 And All That. But the battle that changed the course of English – and world – history almost didn’t happen at all, because of the weather.
William, Duke of Normandy had assembled his invasion fleet along the French coast in early August 1066, but for more than a month the ships were held back by persistent northerly winds – a rare weather pattern, even in the British summer. The English King Harold took advantage of his enemy’s frustration by heading north to York, where he defeated the army of Harald Hardrada of Norway, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
But even as Harold savoured this victory, he received unwelcome news: the winds had finally veered around, and the Norman army had managed at last to cross the Channel. He rapidly rode south, but too late: on 14 October, the English and Norman forces met near Hastings, and Harold was defeated. The Norman Conquest had begun.
Ironically, some recent re-enactments of the Battle of Hastings had to be called off – because torrential rain had made the field unsafe for horses.
