1. Ignoring Threats from the North:
King Harold initially focused on the threat posed by the Norwegian invasion led by King Harald Hardrada. He gathered his forces and marched north, defeating Harald Hardrada and his men at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. However, this victory left Harold's army weakened and exhausted.
2. Delayed Response to William's Invasion:
After defeating the Norwegians, Harold received news that William, Duke of Normandy, had landed on the south coast of England. Instead of immediately marching south to confront William, Harold took several days to gather more troops and secure his kingdom. This delay allowed William's forces to establish a strong foothold in England.
3. Disadvantageous Battlefield Selection:
Harold chose to engage William's army at the Battle of Hastings on the Senlac Hill, which favored the Norman tactics. The Normans had superior cavalry, and the hill provided an advantage in defense and archery.
4. Infantry-Focused Strategy:
Harold primarily relied on his infantry, mainly consisting of the legendary Anglo-Saxon shield wall formation, to defend against the Norman cavalry. However, the Norman horsemen proved to be more effective, and the English infantry struggled to maintain the shield wall formation.
5. Lack of Effective Reconnaissance:
Harold failed to conduct proper reconnaissance of William's army and its movements. He did not fully grasp the strength and tactics of the Norman forces, which allowed William to exploit weaknesses in the English defense.
6. Predictable Tactics:
Harold's battle strategy lacked element of surprise. He adopted a defensive stance, waiting for William to attack, rather than taking the initiative or employing more innovative tactics to counter the Norman strategies.
7. Casualties of Key Leaders:
During the battle, Harold lost several key leaders and elite units, including his own brothers Leofwine and Gyrth. These losses further weakened the English forces and disrupted the chain of command.
In summary, King Harold Godwinson's mistakes included delayed response to William's invasion, disadvantageous battlefield selection, over-reliance on infantry, lack of effective reconnaissance, predictable tactics, and the losses of key leaders, all of which contributed to his defeat at the Battle of Hastings. These errors allowed William the Conqueror to claim the English throne and establish the Norman dynasty in England.