What troop type made up the Norman front lines at Hastings?

The Norman front lines at Hastings were made up of archers. Their opening volleys began the assault on the English position on 14 October 1066, although the uphill angle made the arrows relatively ineffective against Harold Godwinson’s shield wall.

The archers were only one part of a combined-arms force. William of Normandy placed spearmen behind them, with cavalry held in reserve. Once the archers had fired, infantry advanced to engage the English at close quarters, while mounted troops looked for weaknesses in the shield wall.

A common mix-up is to picture Norman knights as the front rank from the start. Cavalry was crucial later, especially during attacks and feigned retreats, but the battle opened with archers. The English, by contrast, relied mainly on infantry fighting on foot, including heavily armed housecarls and fyrd levies.

The Norman army’s use of archers, infantry and cavalry helped William turn local breakthroughs into victory. Harold’s army eventually collapsed after prolonged fighting and the king’s death near the end of the battle.