Battle of Hastings - The Departure from Dives
Battle of Hastings - The Departure from Dives Some Fundamentals 1. The ships that William used were in some way related to the ships of the Vikings. This means that the ships - a) had shallow draft, b) had removeable benches for the rowers, c) if carrying horses these benches were removed, d) if carrying horses the only means of propulsion was the wind. e) carrying materiel had two means of propulsion ( oar and/or sail) or not. f) could sail up to 12 points off the wind (so if the wind was a straight northerly, the ships could point at 13 degrees and still make forward progress). 2. Over the years, I believe, the Normans had lost some of the seafaring ability of their forefathers. What the sources ...