Overview

Lesson Procedure

60-75 minutes of class time across 5 phases.

1. Warm-Up5-10 minutes
2. Direct Instruction20 minutes
3. Guided Practice15 minutes
4. Independent Practice15-20 minutes
5. Closure5-10 minutes

1. Warm-Up5-10 minutes

   Read the prompt aloud and give students three minutes to write.

   Warm-Up Prompt

   "Two school newspapers report the same basketball final. The winners' paper begins: 'A last-second three by Dana Ruiz sealed a 58-56 win and the city title.' The losers' paper begins: 'Missing their injured captain, the Hawks fell 58-56 on a disputed last-second shot.' Both reports are accurate. List what each one includes that the other leaves out, and what each puts first. What does each choice tell you about the writer?"

   Collect answers. Students usually notice that the winners' paper names the hero and the title, and the losers' paper names the missing captain and calls the shot "disputed." Neither report is false; each writer chose and arranged true details from where he or she stands. Name the skill: an author's point of view is his position toward the event, and it shows in the details he includes, the ones he leaves out and the ones he emphasizes. RH.9-10.6 asks students to compare two or more authors in exactly this way.

2. Direct Instruction20 minutes

   Part 1: Who is writing? Show the table and Diagram 2. Point out that none of the three authors saw the battle, so each account shows what its author chose to believe, keep and stress. Students copy the four questions of the routine: Who is writing, when and for whom? What does each include that the other leaves out? What does each emphasize? What do those choices show?

   The three accounts of the Battle of Hastings on this page

   Account	Author and position	When written	Language and translation
   Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (T1)	Anonymous English monks writing for English readers	Kept year by year; the date this entry was written is not known	Old English prose; James Ingram's translation, 1823
   Roman de Rou (T2, T3)	Wace, a poet from Jersey, writing for the court of Henry II, William's great-grandson	He gives the year 1160	French verse; Edgar Taylor's prose translation, 1837
   Chronicle of the Kings of England (T4-T7)	William of Malmesbury, an English monk of English and Norman parents	Finished about 1125	Latin prose; John Sharpe's translation (1815), revised by J. A. Giles, 1847

   Part 2: Model the comparison. Read T1 aloud. In the Chronicle, "Earl William" is the duke of Normandy, "the Frenchmen" are his army, and "child Edgar" is Edgar, a teenage member of the old English royal family. Then read T2, the first four paragraphs of Wace's chapter on the fight. Students mark each detail of the battle in one color and each word that judges a side in another. Work the three examples, then show Diagram 1.

   1Meantime Earl William came up from Normandy into Pevensey on the eve of St. Michael's mass; and soon after his landing was effected, they constructed a castle at the port of Hastings. This was then told to King Harold; and he gathered a large force, and came to meet him at the estuary of Appledore. William, however, came against him unawares, ere his army was collected; but the king, nevertheless, very hardly encountered him with the men that would support him: and there was a great slaughter made on either side. There was slain King Harold, and Leofwin his brother, and Earl Girth his brother, with many good men: and the Frenchmen gained the field of battle, as God granted them for the sins of the nation.

   2Archbishop Aldred and the corporation of London were then desirous of having child Edgar to king, as he was quite natural to them; and Edwin and Morkar promised them that they would fight with them. But the more prompt the business should ever be, so was it from day to day the later and worse; as in the end it all fared.

   3This battle was fought on the day of Pope Calixtus: and Earl William returned to Hastings, and waited there to know whether the people would submit to him. But when he found that they would not come to him, he went up with all his force that was left and that came since to him from over sea, and ravaged all the country that he overran, until he came to Berkhampstead; where Archbishop Aldred came to meet him, with child Edgar, and Earls Edwin and Morkar, and all the best men from London; who submitted then for need, when the most harm was done. It was very ill-advised that they did not so before, seeing that God would not better things for our sins. And they gave him hostages and took oaths: and he promised them that he would be a faithful lord to them; though in the midst of this they plundered wherever they went. Then on midwinter's day Archbishop Aldred hallowed him to king at Westminster, and gave him possession with the books of Christ, and also swore him, ere that he would set the crown on his head, that he would so well govern this nation as any before him best did, if they would be faithful to him. Nevertheless he laid very heavy tribute on men, and in Lent went over sea to Normandy, taking with him Archbishop Stigand, and Abbot Aylnoth of Glastonbury, and the child Edgar, and the Earls Edwin, Morkar, and Waltheof, and many other good men of England. Bishop Odo and Earl William lived here afterwards, and wrought castles widely through this country, and harassed the miserable people; and ever since has evil increased very much. May the end be good, when God will!

   1From nine o'clock in the morning, when the combat began, till three o'clock came, the battle was up and down, this way and that, and no one knew who would conquer and win the land. Both sides stood so firm and fought so well, that no one could guess which would prevail. The Norman archers with their bows shot thickly upon the English; but they covered themselves with their shields, so that the arrows could not reach their bodies, nor do any mischief, how true soever was their aim, or however well they shot. Then the Normans determined to shoot their arrows upwards into the air, so that they might fall on their enemies' heads, and strike their faces. The archers adopted this scheme, and shot up into the air towards the English; and the arrows in falling struck their heads and faces, and put out the eyes of many; and all feared to open their eyes, or leave their faces unguarded.

   2The arrows now flew thicker than rain before the wind; fast sped the shafts that the English call 'wibetes'. Then it was that an arrow, that had been thus shot upwards, struck Harold above his right eye, and put it out. In his agony he drew the arrow and threw it away, breaking it with his hands: and the pain to his head was so great, that he leaned upon his shield. So the English were wont to say, and still say to the French, that the arrow was well shot which was so sent up against their king; and that the archer won them great glory, who thus put out Harold's eye.

   3The Normans saw that the English defended themselves well, and were so strong in their position that they could do little against them. So they consulted together privily, and arranged to draw off, and pretend to flee, till the English should pursue and scatter themselves over the field; for they saw that if they could once get their enemies to break their ranks, they might be attacked and discomfited much more easily. As they had said, so they did. The Normans by little and little fled, the English following them. As the one fell back, the other pressed after; and when the Frenchmen retreated, the English thought and cried out, that the men of France fled, and would never return.

   4Thus they were deceived by the pretended flight, and great mischief thereby befell them; for if they had not moved from their position, it is not likely that they would have been conquered at all; but like fools they broke their lines and pursued.

   • Why the English lost: two explanations (T1 paragraph 1, T2 paragraphs 3-4)

     T1: "William, however, came against him unawares, ere his army was collected" and "the Frenchmen gained the field of battle, as God granted them for the sins of the nation." T2: the Normans "arranged to draw off, and pretend to flee," and the English "like fools they broke their lines and pursued."

     Result: The Chronicle includes two causes, surprise before Harold's army was ready and God's judgment on the sins of the English, and gives no tactics at all. Wace includes the tactic, the pretended flight, and blames the English soldiers for falling for it. The details match each author's point of view: the English monk treats the defeat as a punishment the whole nation earned, not as a failure of Harold's men, while the Norman court poet credits Norman cleverness and calls the English "fools."

   • The moment Harold is hit: one clause against a paragraph (T1 paragraph 1, T2 paragraph 2)

     T1: "There was slain King Harold, and Leofwin his brother, and Earl Girth his brother, with many good men." T2: an arrow "struck Harold above his right eye, and put it out"; Harold broke the arrow, leaned on his shield, and "the English were wont to say, and still say to the French, that the arrow was well shot."

     Result: The Chronicle gives Harold's death one clause, in a list of the English dead, and mentions no arrow. Wace gives the arrow a whole paragraph of vivid detail and ends it with the English admitting that the shot was a good one. Emphasis by space and vivid words turns a death the Chronicle mourns into a Norman triumph. The Chronicle's phrase "with many good men" includes the ordinary English dead; Wace's paragraph is about the king alone.

   • What each account puts at the end (T1 paragraphs 2-3, T2 paragraph 4)

     T1 spends paragraphs 2 and 3 on what followed the battle: William "ravaged all the country that he overran," "laid very heavy tribute on men," and with Bishop Odo "wrought castles widely through this country, and harassed the miserable people." It ends: "May the end be good, when God will!" T2 ends: "but like fools they broke their lines and pursued."

     Result: Two of the Chronicle's three paragraphs, 354 of its 481 words, are about the aftermath, and the account ends with a prayer. Placement and space make the suffering of the English the Chronicle's main subject; the battle itself gets less than a paragraph. Wace's excerpt ends on the English mistake. Each author ends where his point of view points: the English monk on the cost of the conquest, the Norman poet on the English error that made the victory possible.

3. Guided Practice15 minutes

   Read T3, Wace's account of Harold's death, and T4, the opening of William of Malmesbury's preface to his book on William the Conqueror. A standard and a gonfanon are battle flags; Harold's standard marked where the English king stood. Pairs answer two questions before the class works the examples: What does Wace say he does not know? What does Malmesbury say about the Norman and English writers before him?

   1And now the Normans had pressed on so far, that at last they reached the standard. There Harold had remained, defending himself to the utmost; but he was sorely wounded in his eye by the arrow, and suffered grievous pain from the blow. An armed man came in the throng of the battle, and struck him on the ventaille of his helmet, and beat him to the ground; and as he sought to recover himself, a knight beat him down again, striking him on the thick of his thigh, down to the bone.

   2Gurth saw the English falling around, and that there was no remedy. He saw his race hastening to ruin, and despaired of any aid; he would have fled, but could not, for the throng continually increased. And the duke pushed on till he reached him, and struck him with great force. Whether he died of that blow I know not, but it was said that he fell under it, and rose no more.

   3The standard was beaten down, the golden gonfanon was taken, and Harold and the best of his friends were slain; but there was so much eagerness, and throng of so many around, seeking to kill him, that I know not who it was that slew him.

   4The English were in great trouble at having lost their king, and at the duke's having conquered and beat down the standard; but they still fought on, and defended themselves long, and in fact till the day drew to a close. Then it clearly appeared to all that the standard was lost, and the news had spread throughout the army that Harold, for certain, was dead; and all saw that there was no longer any hope, so they left the field, and those fled who could.

   5I do not tell, and I do not indeed know, for I was not there to see, and have not heard say, who it was that smote down king Harold, nor by what weapon he was wounded; but this I know, that he was found among the dead. His great force availed him nothing; amidst the slain he was found slain also.

   6The English who escaped from the field did not stop till they reached London, for they were in great fear, and cried out that the Normans followed close after them. The press was great to cross the bridge, and the river beneath it was deep; so that the bridge broke under the throng, and many fell into the water.

   7William fought well; many an assault did he lead, many a blow did he give, and many receive, and many fell dead under his hand. Two horses were killed under him, and he took a third when necessary, so that he fell not to the ground, and lost not a drop of blood. But whatever any one did, and whoever lived or died, this is certain, that William conquered, and that many of the English fled from the field, and many died on the spot. Then he returned thanks to God, and in his pride ordered his gonfanon to be brought and set up on high, where the English standard had stood; and that was the signal of his having conquered, and beaten down the standard. And he ordered his tent to be raised on the spot among the dead, and had his meat brought thither, and his supper prepared there.

   1Normans and English, incited by different motives, have written of king William: the former have praised him to excess; extolling to the utmost both his good and his bad actions: while the latter, out of national hatred, have laden their conqueror with undeserved reproach. For my part, as the blood of either people flows in my veins, I shall steer a middle course: where I am certified of his good deeds, I shall openly proclaim them; his bad conduct I shall touch upon lightly and sparingly, though not so as to conceal it; so that neither shall my narrative be condemned as false, nor will I brand that man with ignominious censure, almost the whole of whose actions may reasonably be excused, if not commended. Wherefore I shall willingly and carefully relate such anecdotes of him, as may be matter of incitement to the indolent, or of example to the enterprising; useful to the present age, and pleasing to posterity. But I shall spend little time in relating such things as are of service to no one, and which produce disgust in the reader, as well as ill-will to the author. There are always people, more than sufficient, ready to detract from the actions of the noble: my course of proceeding will be, to extenuate evil, as much as can be consistently with truth, and not to bestow excessive commendation even on good actions. For this moderation, as I imagine, all true judges will esteem me neither timid, nor unskilful. And this rule too, my history will regard equally, with respect both to William and his two sons; that nothing shall be dwelt on too fondly; nothing untrue shall be admitted.

   • What an author is unsure of and what he is sure of (T3 paragraphs 3, 5 and 7)

     Wace: "I know not who it was that slew him"; "I do not tell, and I do not indeed know, for I was not there to see, and have not heard say, who it was that smote down king Harold, nor by what weapon he was wounded." Then: "this is certain, that William conquered"; William "lost not a drop of blood."

     Result: Wace admits three times that he does not know something, twice about who killed Harold and once about whether Gurth died of the duke's blow, yet he is certain of William's victory and of William's courage, and he gives William the last and longest paragraph of the excerpt. The details he is sure of are the ones that honor the duke. Comparing accounts means noticing this pattern: an author's doubts and certainties are part of his point of view, just as his included details are.

   • A point of view stated openly (T4 sentences 1-2) and one shown through word choice (T1 paragraphs 1 and 3)

     T4: Norman writers "have praised him to excess," English writers "out of national hatred, have laden their conqueror with undeserved reproach. For my part, as the blood of either people flows in my veins, I shall steer a middle course." T1: "as God granted them for the sins of the nation"; "seeing that God would not better things for our sins"; "harassed the miserable people."

     Result: Malmesbury states his point of view: he names both sides' bias and promises balance, and he also admits he will touch William's bad conduct "lightly and sparingly." The Chronicle never states a point of view, but its pronoun "our sins" places the writer among the conquered, and "the miserable people" shows his sympathy. A stated point of view is a claim to be tested against the details an author actually includes; the quiz asks students to test Malmesbury's.

4. Independent Practice15-20 minutes

   Students read T5 and T6, William of Malmesbury's account of the battle. "The earl" is William. A hauberk is a coat of mail; the song of Roland is a French poem about a hero of the emperor Charlemagne's army. Students fill a three-column chart (Chronicle, Wace, Malmesbury) with the details each account gives for the same four moments: the night before, the fighting, Harold's death and William's part. Then they take the quiz, which uses T5 and T6 with T1-T4.

   1The courageous leaders mutually prepared for battle, each according to his national custom. The English, as we have heard, passed the night without sleep, in drinking and singing, and, in the morning, proceeded without delay towards the enemy; all were on foot, armed with battle-axes, and covering themselves in front by the junction of their shields, they formed an impenetrable body, which would have secured their safety that day, had not the Normans, by a feigned flight, induced them to open their ranks, which till that time, according to their custom, were closely compacted. The king himself on foot, stood, with his brother, near the standard; in order that, while all shared equal danger, none might think of retreating. This standard William sent, after the victory, to the pope; it was sumptuously embroidered, with gold and precious stones, in the form of a man fighting.

   2On the other side, the Normans passed the whole night in confessing their sins, and received the sacrament in the morning: their infantry, with bows and arrows, formed the vanguard, while their cavalry, divided into wings, were thrown back. The earl, with serene countenance, declaring aloud, that God would favour his, as being the righteous side, called for his arms; and presently, when, through the hurry of his attendants, he had put on his hauberk the hind part before, he corrected the mistake with a laugh; saying, “My dukedom shall be turned into a kingdom.” Then beginning the song of Roland, that the warlike example of that man might stimulate the soldiers, and calling on God for assistance, the battle commenced on both sides. They fought with ardour, neither giving ground, for great part of the day. Finding this, William gave a signal to his party, that, by a feigned flight, they should retreat. Through this device, the close body of the English, opening for the purpose of cutting down the straggling enemy, brought upon itself swift destruction; for the Normans, facing about, attacked them thus disordered, and compelled them to fly. In this manner, deceived by a stratagem, they met an honourable death in avenging their country; nor indeed were they at all wanting to their own revenge, as, by frequently making a stand, they slaughtered their pursuers in heaps: for, getting possession of an eminence, they drove down the Normans, when roused with indignation and anxiously striving to gain the higher ground, into the valley beneath, where, easily hurling their javelins and rolling down stones on them as they stood below, they destroyed them to a man. Besides, by a short passage, with which they were acquainted, avoiding a deep ditch, they trod under foot such a multitude of their enemies in that place, that they made the hollow level with the plain, by the heaps of carcasses. This vicissitude of first one party conquering, and then the other, prevailed as long as the life of Harold continued; but when he fell, from having his brain pierced with an arrow, the flight of the English ceased not until night. The valour of both leaders was here eminently conspicuous.

   1Harold, not merely content with the duty of a general in exhorting others, diligently entered into every soldier-like office; often would he strike the enemy when coming to close quarters, so that none could approach him with impunity; for immediately the same blow levelled both horse and rider. Wherefore, as I have related, receiving the fatal arrow from a distance, he yielded to death. One of the soldiers with a sword gashed his thigh, as he lay prostrate; for which shameful and cowardly action, he was branded with ignominy by William, and dismissed the service.

   2William too was equally ready to encourage by his voice and by his presence; to be the first to rush forward; to attack the thickest of the foe. Thus everywhere raging, everywhere furious, he lost three choice horses, which were that day pierced under him. The dauntless spirit and vigour of the intrepid general, however, still persisted, though often called back by the kind remonstrance of his body-guard; he still persisted, I say, till approaching night crowned him with complete victory. And no doubt, the hand of God so protected him, that the enemy should draw no blood from his person, though they aimed so many javelins at him.

   3This was a fatal day to England, a melancholy havoc of our dear country, through its change of masters.

5. Closure5-10 minutes

   Exit ticket: On an index card, name one detail that Wace includes and the Chronicle leaves out, and one detail that the Chronicle emphasizes and Wace leaves out. Write one sentence on what the difference shows about the two authors.

   Teacher note on the sources and their language: All passages are quoted exactly as translated in the 1820s-1840s, with British spellings (valour, honourable) and old words (ere, before; wont, used to). The Chronicle calls the Norman army "the Frenchmen" and calls William, the Duke of Normandy, "Earl William." Ingram's "the estuary of Appledore" (T1) translates a phrase that modern translators read as "the hoar apple tree" (a grey, lichen-covered old tree), a landmark near the battlefield. Wace calls the English "fools" and Malmesbury calls Harold rash; discuss both as evidence of point of view. In T7, "parricide" means the killing of a close relative: Harold's brother Tostig died fighting on the Norwegian side at Stamford Bridge. The excerpts contain no slurs.

   Homework passage. Malmesbury's account of Harold before the battle, which comes just before T5 in his book. Use it with T1 for the homework problems.

   1In the meantime Harold returned from the battle with the Norwegians; happy, in his own estimation, at having conquered; but not so in mine, as he had secured the victory by parricide. When the news of the Norman’s arrival reached him, reeking as he was from battle, he proceeded to Hastings, though accompanied by very few forces. No doubt the fates urged him on, as he neither summoned his troops, nor, had he been willing to do so, would he have found many ready to obey his call; so hostile were all to him, as I have before observed, from his having appropriated the northern spoils entirely to himself. He sent out some persons, however, to reconnoitre the number and strength of the enemy: these, being taken within the camp, William ordered to be led amongst the tents, and, after feasting them plentifully, to be sent back uninjured to their lord. On their return, Harold inquired what news they brought: when, after relating at full, the noble confidence of the general, they gravely added, that almost all his army had the appearance of priests, as they had the whole face, with both lips, shaven. [...] The king smiled at the simplicity of the relators, observing, with a pleasant laugh, that they were not priests, but soldiers, strong in arms, and invincible in spirit. His brother, Girth, a youth, on the verge of manhood, and of knowledge and valour surpassing his years, caught up his words: “Since,” said he, “you extol so much the valour of the Norman, I think it ill-advised for you, who are his inferior in strength and desert, to contend with him. Nor can you deny being bound to him, by oath, either willingly, or by compulsion. Wherefore you will act wisely, if, yourself withdrawing from this pressing emergency, you allow us to try the issue of a battle. We, who are free from all obligation, shall justly draw the sword in defence of our country. It is to be apprehended, if you engage, that you will be either subjected to flight or to death: whereas, if we only fight, your cause will be safe at all events: for you will be able both to rally the fugitives, and to avenge the dead.”

   2His unbridled rashness yielded no placid ear to the words of his adviser, thinking it base, and a reproach to his past life, to turn his back on danger of any kind; and, with similar impudence, or to speak more favourably, imprudence, he drove away a monk, the messenger of William, not deigning him even a complacent look; imprecating only, that God would decide between him and the earl. He was the bearer of three propositions: either that Harold should relinquish the kingdom, according to his agreement, or hold it of William; or decide the matter by single combat in the sight of either army. For William claimed the kingdom, on the ground that king Edward, by the advice of Stigand, the archbishop, and of the earls Godwin and Siward, had granted it to him, and had sent the son and nephew of Godwin to Normandy, as sureties of the grant. If Harold should deny this, he would abide by the judgment of the pope, or by battle: on all which propositions, the messenger being frustrated by the single answer I have related, returned, and communicated to his party fresh spirit for the conflict.

Differentiation Strategies

Assessment Guidance

1. Question 1 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In T5 paragraph 1, how does Malmesbury say the English spent the night before the battle?

   AIn confessing their sins and taking the sacrament BWithout sleep, in drinking and singing CAsleep in their camp around the king's standard DIn building a ditch and a wall of stakes

2. Question 2 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   Why does Malmesbury put the Normans' night (T5 paragraph 2) right after the English night (paragraph 1)?

   ATo show that the two armies spent the night in exactly the same way BTo prove that the Normans were outnumbered by the English army CTo contrast Norman prayer with English drinking DTo explain why the battle began only in the middle of the afternoon

3. Question 3 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   According to T5 paragraph 1, what would have kept the English safe that day?

   ATheir shield formation, if the Normans had not drawn them out BThe arrival of more English troops from the north to join Harold CA second night of rest before they met the Normans DHarold's decision to stand on foot near the standard

4. Question 4 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   T2 and T5 both include the Normans' pretended flight. How does Malmesbury's treatment of the English who fell for it differ from Wace's?

   AMalmesbury says the English knew it was a trick and stayed in their lines BMalmesbury leaves out the English deaths that Wace describes in detail CMalmesbury calls the English fools, while Wace praises their courage DMalmesbury says they "met an honourable death in avenging their country"

5. Question 5 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   Which detail about the fighting does T5 include that Wace's T2 leaves out?

   AThe Norman archers shooting at the English lines BEnglish soldiers rolling stones down from high ground CThe Normans pretending to flee to break the English ranks DThe English breaking their formation to chase the Normans

6. Question 6 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   Which statement about Harold's death is accurate for both Wace (T3) and Malmesbury (T5-T6)?

   ABoth say they do not know who killed Harold or with what weapon BBoth leave out Harold's death and move straight to William's victory CBoth include an arrow and a wound to Harold's thigh DBoth say William himself struck the blow that killed Harold

7. Question 7 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   Malmesbury includes a detail about Harold's death that Wace leaves out: William punished the soldier who gashed Harold's thigh. What does including this detail show?

   AThat William honored a brave enemy and punished a cowardly act BThat the English had won the battle when Harold fell CThat Malmesbury did not know how Harold died DThat the soldier was an Englishman who changed sides

8. Question 8 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   T5 ends: "The valour of both leaders was here eminently conspicuous." How does this sentence work in Malmesbury's account?

   AIt ends the account of the battle with William's victory BIt admits that Malmesbury is unsure which leader was braver CIt repeats the Chronicle's judgment of the two leaders DIt leads into a paragraph on each leader's courage in T6

9. Question 9 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   Wace writes that William "lost not a drop of blood" (T3 paragraph 7), and Malmesbury writes that "the enemy should draw no blood from his person" (T6 paragraph 2). How do the two authors treat this shared detail?

   ABoth leave out any cause and present William's safety as pure luck BBoth stress that William was unhurt; only Malmesbury credits God CMalmesbury doubts it, while Wace reports it as certain DWace credits God, while Malmesbury credits William's armor

10. Question 10 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Which words in T6 show that Malmesbury writes, at least in part, from the English side?

    A"our dear country" B"the intrepid general" C"complete victory" D"the thickest of the foe"

11. Question 11 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Why might Malmesbury include that William sent Harold's standard "to the pope" after the victory (T5 paragraph 1)?

    ATo show that the pope had fought on Harold's side BTo prove that the English standard was lost before the battle CTo link the victory to the Church and show its importance DTo explain why the Chronicle leaves out the standard

12. Question 12 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    T1 explains the outcome by God's judgment on "the sins of the nation." How does T5 treat God's part in the battle differently?

    AIt says God favored neither army and leaves the outcome to the fighting BIt leaves God out and explains the battle by tactics alone CIt says the English prayed all night and that God took their side against the invaders DIt stresses Norman prayer and William's claim to the righteous side

13. Question 13 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    What does the story of William's hauberk, put on "the hind part before," emphasize (T5 paragraph 2)?

    AWilliam's calm confidence: he turns a bad sign into a joke about becoming king BThe disorder of the Norman camp, which lost the first half of the battle CWilliam's fear of battle, which his attendants tried to hide DThe poor quality of Norman armor compared with English armor

14. Question 14 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Which statement best compares Malmesbury's point of view in T5-T6 with Wace's in T2?

    ABoth write as English monks who mourn the loss of their king BMalmesbury honors both armies and mourns England; Wace mocks the English CWace honors both armies, while Malmesbury praises only William DBoth refuse to take sides and include only the details that honor the English

15. Question 15 of 20 · Short Answer

    Compare how T1 and T5 explain why the English lost. Name one detail each account includes that the other leaves out, and explain what each choice shows about the author.

    Show model answer

16. Question 16 of 20 · Short Answer

    In T4, Malmesbury promises to "steer a middle course" between Norman praise and English "national hatred." Does T5-T6 keep that promise? Support your answer with one detail that favors each side.

    Show model answer

17. Question 17 of 20 · Short Answer

    Compare how Wace (T3 paragraph 1) and Malmesbury (T6 paragraph 1) describe Harold's own fighting. Which author emphasizes it more, and how can you tell?

    Show model answer

18. Question 18 of 20 · Short Answer

    Name one detail that appears in all three accounts (T1, T2-T3 and T5-T6), and explain how each author treats it differently.

    Show model answer

19. Question 19 of 20 · Short Answer

    Malmesbury's account of the battle ends with "This was a fatal day to England" (T6 paragraph 3), right after his praise of William. Explain how that placement changes the effect of the praise.

    Show model answer

20. Question 20 of 20 · Short Answer

    Wace writes almost a century after the battle for the court of Henry II, William's great-grandson (see Diagram 2). How might his situation explain two details he includes or emphasizes in T2 and T3?

    Show model answer

These standards connect to RH.9-10.6: prerequisites to review first, parallel standards at the same level, and next steps that build on it.

Standard text: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.