Instructions
Read the background information below which explores an "alternate history" scenario based on the Battle of Hastings. In this version of events, unlike in our real history, the Anglo-Saxons win the battle. Use this context and your own critical thinking to complete the exercises that follow.
Part 1: Background - A Different 1066
In the real year 1066, King Harold Godwinson of England defeated a Viking invasion in the north, only to race his exhausted army south to face another invader: William, Duke of Normandy. At the Battle of Hastings on October 14, the English shield wall held for most of the day but eventually broke. King Harold was killed, and William the Conqueror began the Norman conquest of England.
But what if it had gone differently? In Cecilia Holland's short story 'Repulse at Hastings' and in the classic Doctor Who episode 'The Time Meddler', this exact question is explored. Imagine the scene: The English shield wall does not break. The Norman cavalry charges again and again, but the Anglo-Saxon housecarls stand firm. As dusk falls, it is the Norman army that breaks and flees, with Duke William counted among the slain. King Harold Godwinson remains King of England.
This single change—this one victory—would have sent ripples through time, fundamentally changing England and the world. The following questions ask you to think about these changes.
Part 2: Vocabulary Matching
Match the term on the left with the correct definition on the right.
- Causality
- Dynasty
- Feudalism
- Anachronism
- Housecarl
A. A thing or person that belongs to a different time period, like a wristwatch in medieval times.
B. The dominant social system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service.
C. A line of hereditary rulers of a country.
D. An elite member of the Anglo-Saxon household troops; a professional warrior.
E. The principle that events have causes; the relationship between a cause and its effect.
Part 3: Critical Thinking - The Ripple Effect
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Think about the long-term consequences of an Anglo-Saxon victory.
- Language: The Norman Conquest introduced tens of thousands of French words into English (e.g., government, jury, beef, liberty, parliament). How would the English language be different today if the Normans had lost?
- Government & Society: William the Conqueror replaced the English aristocracy with his own Norman lords and introduced a stricter, more centralized version of feudalism. What might English society and its class structure look like without this Norman overhaul?
- Foreign Policy: For the next 400 years after the conquest, English kings (who were also Dukes of Normandy) were deeply involved in French politics and wars. If Harold had won, how would England's relationship with continental Europe have been different?
- The "Meddler" Problem: In the Doctor Who story 'The Time Meddler', a character tries to change history using advanced technology (like inventing cannons for the Saxons) because he thinks it will lead to a better future. What are the ethical problems and potential dangers of someone trying to "fix" the past, even with good intentions?
Part 4: Creative Writing
King Harold Godwinson has won. The Norman threat is over. You are an English thegn (a local lord) who fought in the shield wall. Write a short letter (4-6 sentences) to your family telling them the news and what you think the future holds for an independent England.
Answer Key
Part 2: Vocabulary Matching
- Causality: E. The principle that events have causes; the relationship between a cause and its effect.
- Dynasty: C. A line of hereditary rulers of a country.
- Feudalism: B. The dominant social system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service.
- Anachronism: A. A thing or person that belongs to a different time period, like a wristwatch in medieval times.
- Housecarl: D. An elite member of the Anglo-Saxon household troops; a professional warrior.
Part 3: Critical Thinking - The Ripple Effect
(Note: Student answers will vary but should reflect similar reasoning.)
- Language: The English language would have far fewer words with French and Latin roots. It would sound more Germanic, closer to modern Dutch, German, or Scandinavian languages. Words for law, government, and fine dining would likely have Anglo-Saxon origins instead of Norman ones.
- Government & Society: Anglo-Saxon society might have remained more decentralized, with powerful regional earls holding more sway. The sharp divide between a French-speaking ruling class and an English-speaking peasantry would never have existed. The development of English common law might have followed a very different, more Germanic path.
- Foreign Policy: England would likely have been more focused on Scandinavia and Northern Europe, continuing the cultural and political ties of the Viking Age. It would have avoided being drawn into centuries of conflict with France over territories like Normandy and Aquitaine.
- The "Meddler" Problem: Changing the past is dangerous due to unforeseen consequences (the "butterfly effect"). A single change could lead to a much worse future that the meddler could not predict. It is also ethically arrogant for one person to decide that their version of history is "better" and impose it on everyone else without their consent. Finally, it could erase the existence of countless people and invalidate the struggles and achievements of entire generations.
Part 4: Creative Writing
(Answers will vary. A good answer will convey a sense of exhaustion, relief, and patriotism.)
Example Answer: My Dearest Elara, The raven who carries this brings the greatest news. We have won. The Frenchmen are broken and their Duke is dead. The shield wall held. My arms ache and my ears still ring from the clash of steel, but my heart is full. King Harold is safe, and England remains English. I believe now we can look to our own shores and build a kingdom free from foreign greed. I am coming home.