1. Mobilizing the Fyrd: King Harold called upon the fyrd, the Anglo-Saxon militia, to assemble at London. He aimed to gather a large force of infantry, which was the backbone of the Anglo-Saxon army, to confront the invading Norman army led by William, Duke of Normandy.
2. Strategic Positioning: King Harold chose to position his forces at strategic points along the south coast of England, where the Normans were expected to land. He stationed troops at Pevensey, where William ultimately landed, as well as at other potential landing sites.
3. Defensive Measures: Harold constructed defensive structures, including earthworks and palisades, to fortify his positions and make them more defensible against cavalry charges, a key tactic of the Norman army.
4. Surprise Attack: King Harold intended to launch a surprise attack on the Norman forces shortly after their landing, catching them off guard and preventing them from consolidating their position.
5. Exploiting Norman Vulnerabilities: Harold knew that the Norman army relied heavily on its cavalry, which was vulnerable to close-quarters combat. His plan involved using the shield wall formation, a defensive tactic employed by Anglo-Saxon infantry, to counter the Norman cavalry charges and engage them in melee combat, where the Anglo-Saxons had the advantage.
6. Cutting Supply Lines: King Harold was aware that the Norman invasion force would require continuous supplies of food and equipment. His strategy included disrupting Norman supply lines, making it difficult for them to sustain themselves and potentially forcing them to retreat or negotiate.
7. Alliances and Support: Harold attempted to secure alliances and support from neighboring rulers, such as the Welsh, to bolster his forces and gain an advantage against the Normans.
Ultimately, King Harold's plans were thwarted by several factors, including the element of surprise, the skilled leadership of William the Conqueror, and the Norman tactical advantage in cavalry and archery. Despite his strategic preparations and efforts to defend his kingdom, Harold was defeated at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, leading to the Norman conquest of England.