In this essay I set out the background of the Battle of Hastings and discuss whether three of the criteria of what constitutes a just war were met.
Background
The Battle of Hastings occurred on the 14th of October, 1066, and was fought between the Normans (French) and the Anglo-Saxons (English) in the south of England. The battle went from dawn until dusk, and consisted of approximately 17, 000 soldiers (10,000 French and 7,000 English). The French also had horses, and so outnumbered the British substantially. The main tactic of the battle was used by the English, which was to make a shield wall with the intention of preventing the French from getting past them. This tactic failed however, as the French were able to ride up to the wall and …show more content…
Later, Harold took the crown of England for himself. Harold taking the crown after swearing an oath to help someone else get the crown greatly angering William, and so William invaded England with just authority. Harold also went against his oath by taking the crown, which gave William another reason to attack England, and to claim the crown of England.
Three Principles of a Just War considered
During the course of the battle and beforehand, two Jus Ad Bellum rules which were followed were Just authority, and also Just cause. However, the one Jus in Bello rule (Responsibility) was not followed, as many civilians died at the Hands of William and the Norman army soon after the battle. William had Just Cause, and especially just authority, to invade England.
1. Just authority
William was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy. While this put some doubt on his right to succeed his father as the Duke of Normandy in 1035, by the time of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, his authority as Duke was clear. William the Conqueror had a just authority to invade England because he was the Duke of Normand and, as the Duke, he could decide what Normandy would and wouldn’t
Background
The Battle of Hastings occurred on the 14th of October, 1066, and was fought between the Normans (French) and the Anglo-Saxons (English) in the south of England. The battle went from dawn until dusk, and consisted of approximately 17, 000 soldiers (10,000 French and 7,000 English). The French also had horses, and so outnumbered the British substantially. The main tactic of the battle was used by the English, which was to make a shield wall with the intention of preventing the French from getting past them. This tactic failed however, as the French were able to ride up to the wall and …show more content…
Later, Harold took the crown of England for himself. Harold taking the crown after swearing an oath to help someone else get the crown greatly angering William, and so William invaded England with just authority. Harold also went against his oath by taking the crown, which gave William another reason to attack England, and to claim the crown of England.
Three Principles of a Just War considered
During the course of the battle and beforehand, two Jus Ad Bellum rules which were followed were Just authority, and also Just cause. However, the one Jus in Bello rule (Responsibility) was not followed, as many civilians died at the Hands of William and the Norman army soon after the battle. William had Just Cause, and especially just authority, to invade England.
1. Just authority
William was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy. While this put some doubt on his right to succeed his father as the Duke of Normandy in 1035, by the time of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, his authority as Duke was clear. William the Conqueror had a just authority to invade England because he was the Duke of Normand and, as the Duke, he could decide what Normandy would and wouldn’t