History quiz

How many soldiers did William of Normandy have 1066?

The exact number of soldiers that William of Normandy had in 1066 is unknown, as there are no reliable contemporary records that provide a precise figure. However, historians generally estimate that William's invasion force consisted of around 7,000 to 8,000 men. This included a mix of Norman, French, and Flemish soldiers, as well as some mercenaries and adventurers from other parts of Europe.

The majority of William's soldiers were infantry, who fought on foot using a variety of weapons, including swords, spears, axes, and bows and arrows. They were supported by a contingent of cavalry, who were mounted on horses and used their speed and mobility to charge at the enemy and break their formations. William also brought with him a number of siege engines, such as battering rams and siege towers, which he used to attack fortified castles and towns.