Could You Survive in the Shield Wall at the Battle of Hastings?

In this episode of Survive History, our presenter Louee Dessent steps into the shoes of an Anglo-Saxon footsoldier during the legendary Battle of Hastings 1066. Follow Louee as he embarks on a journey through time, battling fierce Vikings at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and then racing south to confront Duke William of Normandy's Norman knights.

As part of King Harold's army, Louee experiences the intensity of the shield wall tactic, where Anglo-Saxon huscarls and fyrdmen braced for heavy cavalry attacks. He delves deep into the chaos of the battle, exploring how soldiers fought, survived, and endured brutal medieval warfare. From tasting the harsh realities of 11th-century medicine to analysing the strategic turning points of the battle, Louee asks the ultimate question: Could he have survived the Battle of Hastings?

Join us for this immersive and historically accurate journey, packed with authentic costumes, epic locations, and collaboration with expert living history groups. Discover the tactics, weapons, and survival skills needed to withstand one of the most pivotal battles in English history.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on all future episodes, where we uncover how soldiers survived through different eras of history!

#battleofhastings #1066 #militaryhistory
00:00 Introduction
02:46 Background to 1066
06:50 The Viking invasion of Harald Hadrada
09:26 The Normans land in England
12:24 The morning of the Battle of Hastings
14:26 King Harold's army
19:33 The battle begins
22:22 Meeting Duke William of Normandy
27:14 The Norman knights charge
28:59 A turning point in the battle
30:35 The feigned retreat
31:54 Treating the wounded in the 11th century
39:45 The shield wall falters
40:49 King Harold's death
41:59 The English retreat
44:24 Could you survive The Battle of Hastings?
45:24 Conclusion

[survivehistory]

Thanks also to the fantastic living history groups who appear in this video: Swords of Penda, Age of Penda, Seaxia and the Worcestershire Cavalry!

[valdeingruo]

This is why i think youtube succeeds. A team can go out on their own and put on something way better than you find on TV now adays

[TheIrishvolunteer]

Last time I was this early Harold's army was still fighting the Danes.

[harkchhun]

Shoutout to the camera man travelling back in time to record all of this

[gunsgunstiger]

Those have to be the last recordings we've got of king Harold before his tragic end... Such a great king, RIP Harold

[lyndad]

Best one yet ! You should be on tv. You and your team make history really interesting well done!

[johnphillips]

Another fantastic episode. I took part in the filming of this, the time and effort that goes into making this programs is amazing. The guys involved are 3 of the nicest chaps you could ever hope to meet. Down to earth, friendly and great fun to work with. All the lads and lady's who took part gave it their all. I was fighting along side the foot sloggers in King Harrold's shield wall and I could see the effort that they put into getting the out fits and weapons and making it all as accurate as possible, even going as far as barking out commands in Anglo Saxon old English. With regards to the cavalry, I know they put in hour upon hour of practicing for every event or film they take part. A lot of the 'uniforms' are hand made. All of the effort on every ones part (I can only imagine just how much editing/cutting, working on scripts etc go into each episode but I bet its a lot of work) is so worth it when the episodes turn out so brilliantly.

[rickbolt]

Thanks for asking us to take part in this, was an honour and privilege to portray Harold Godwinson

[liamkisbee]

Fun fact after the anglo saxons were defeated and the Norman's took rule of England quite a number of anglo saxons fled England and fought for the roman empire in the east (the byzantines) as varangian guards and in return of the service were granted the lands of crimea which was called Nova anglia.

[RyanKing]

Amazing! This feels like what the History Channel should be striving for. Keep up the good work!
Would love it if you could cover the American Civil War, or the Crimean War. Both are contenders for the title of "the first modern war".

[totnes]

I've lived in the area of the Battle several times over the years and have attended the annual reenactments of it more than once. It's interesting that the watching crowds invariably cheer on the saxons and boo and hiss William the Bastard...

[TheImmortalArt]

I love this story. 1066 is my favourite year. Story of Harald G, Harald H and William, and all of it around them is fascinated.

[thomasmooney]

Hi! I was one of the chaps who took part in the Battle of Hastings events in 2016 & 2017, and I love your approach to this subject and the use of reenactment alongside it! It is a hobby I truly wish I kept up, but I have fond memories I keep with me to this day. It was great seeing the work you put into it, and the relationships you must have formed with members of these groups! We're a fairly small hobby in the UK with a lot of pressures that make it harder, but this video (and others you have done as I'm currently deep-diving your channel) will help a lot.

Many thanks for the great and insightful content, and have a lovely day! :)

[weirdman]

Absolutely amazing, you deserve far more subs, this feels like a actual netflix Documentary rather than a YT one

[Zara-aka-CatWoman]

The footage has turned out fantastic! Matt and I were very honoured to be a part of it all. Hope we can join you for another one soon!

[dersuddeutschesumpf]

Big fan of your reenactment-heavy approach to history

[yagoda]

That was the most calm furious fighting I ever saw on the reconstruction

[bulldowozer]

One could only image what could have been
"Sir William! A second archer under King Harold has entered the battlefield"

[Techgnome]

Another amazing video!! Well done. I find it fascinating.That we Anglophones still us French words words that were introduced to our language because of this battle.

[magnuslauglo]

Solid episode. I'd have welcomed more on the experience of actual shieldwall combat - I understand that attacks and wounds to the legs were common, as they were the least protected part of the body.