Originally Posted by
Heathen Storm
One thing I like to really break down is the tactics used at the battle - Harold's Saxon Shieldwall vs. the Norman hit and run tactics.
Background info:
After the battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold only had a few days time to march over 185 miles back to Southern England, leaving his troops exhausted. He camped at Long Bennington, before heading to the battle site in Hastings, called Senlac Hill.
Makeup of Armies:
The English were entirely made up of English Infantry. They consisted of the Fyrd, which was the bulk of the army, the Thegns, and the Houscarls, which were the core of the army. The Saxon army is estimated at between 7,000 and 8,000 troops.
The Normans, in sharp contrast, had much less infantry. Their army was made up of Norman Cavalry (which was the best cavalry in the world), some infantry and Archers as well. The Normans themselves had too few of numbers to invade, making up about half the army. So, they inlisted the help of the Bretons of Brittany, troops of Flanders and also France. While most say that the Norman army numbered in the 7,000's, some sources claim that the Normans had over 600 ships, numbering their troops in the 20,000's.
Tactics:
The English, arriving first, lined their Shieldwall along the top of the ridge at Senlac Hill so they faced down towards the Normans, putting the Norman troops at a huge disadvantage. The Normans used the standard European method of employing Archers in the front, to weaken the enemy, followed by close-combat infantry fights, and then a charge from the cavalry. Their arrows, however, were of little use against the Shield wall. When the Norman infantry charged up the hill, the Saxons began throwing whatever they could find at the incoming men, causing massive casualties amongst them. Seeing that the Saxons weren't retreating like planned, William the Bastard sent his cavalry earlier than he wanted to. After about an hour, the Bretons fled, and the Flemish and Norman troops also began to fled. Unable to contain themselves, the Saxons charged after the fleeing troops. William's horse was killed, and many of his troops thought him dead. But, when he stood up and tore off his helmet, the Saxons were faced with a massive problem; many of their troops were charging after the routing army, instead of safe in their well-defended shield wall. The Normans were rallied, and began to slaughter the pursuing Saxons. The Saxons reformed their shieldwall at the top of the hill, but the Norman Knights broke through. Harold Godwinson was killed during the fighting, and the Saxons, lost without their fearless leader, fled before the wrath of William, the Bastard.
Historic Battles
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but it might be awhile yet.
i think this thread should be used for suggestions for historical battles, and i dont mean just naming a few battles, to make things easier state EVERYTHING thats know about the battle, terrain, exact numbers, army compositions, weather, settlements present etc. Even if, for what ever reason i never get around to trying to make these battles, at least the info would be extremly helpful to anyone else that attempts to do so
I said NOTHING! 
or anything.But the battle of Hastings has been done to death in all the mods, never made in the first game and there's so many other battles of this time.
I also hate to see Stamford Bridge in any medieval 2 game, simple because anyone who has done a battle on a bridge they will know how much of a pain it is. well I find it a pain anyway 
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