Tuvalu 2009 HASTINGS 1066 Famous Battles History $1 Oz Silver Proof in FULL OGP

Description: In Stock and Ready for Immediate Shipment! Long SOLD OUT at the Perth Mint! The last successful invasion of England was staged by William the Conquer in 1066, as depicted on the famed Bayeux Tapestry! Talk about battles that change the course of history! Before the Battle of Hastings, England was a country ruled by Anglo-Saxon royalty. After Hastings, the new Norman regime completely replaced the previous aristocracy with their own, and introduced a decidedly Continental element to the island, along with many words and manners from French. Others have tried since, but Hastings was the last time that England was successfully invaded and conquered. Prelude and Order of Battle The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, was the decisive victory in the Norman Conquest of England. It was waged between the Norman army of William the Conqueror, and the English army led by Harold II Godwinson. The battle took place at Senlac Hill, approximately 6 miles northwest of Hastings. Edward the Confessor, King of England, had died in January, 1066, childless. Some sources say that while Edward had promised the throne to his cousin Duke William of Normandy, on his deathbed he decided to confer it on Harold instead. At any rate, Harold had himself crowned King of England, while William held fast to his own claim to the throne. While Harold was in the North quashing an invading Norwegian Viking army under King Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson (Harold's own brother!), William crossed the English Channel with his army, landing unopposed. The Norman army is believed to have consisted of about 2,200 cavalry, 4,500 infantry and 1,700 archers and crossbowmen. William's strategy relied on archers to soften up the enemy, followed by a general advance of the infantry, and then a cavalry charge. The Norman army was composed of nobles, mercenaries, and troops from France and Europe, including some from Southern Italy. The English army is usually thought to have numbered roughly 7,500 and consisted entirely of infantry. It is most probable that all the members of the army rode to battle, but once at the appointed place they dismounted to fight on foot. Whereas the English army consisted of foot troops, the Norman army's power derived from its cavalry which were reckoned amongst the best in Europe. They were heavily armored, and usually had a lance and a sword. Battle and Aftermath The battle was a decisive Norman victory. Initially, it went against William; his initial charge was repulsed, and the English troops broke the ranks of their shield wall to pursue the retreating Normans. However, William changed his tactics and had his archers decimated the rear of the English formation, instead of firing into their shields. His mounted cavalry (knights) could then charge effectively, and did. Harold II was killed; traditionally, it is believed he was shot through the eye with an arrow (as depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, at right). Although there was further English resistance, this battle is seen as the point at which William gained control of England. It remains the last occasion in history where England has been successfully invaded by a foreign power. The famous Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events before and during the battle. After-the-fact analysis has often credited William with winning the Battle of Hastings by being a tactical genius, but this is not borne out by any of his other battles or campaigns. In fact, he won at Hastings by being both persistent (attacking the English a second time, after being initially repulsed) and flexible (changing strategies as the battle developed, to take advantages of opportunities as they developed). The ramifications of the Battle of Hastings have continued to influence English culture, history and language to this day. The conquering Normans brought their language and customs, adding to the cultural mix of the Celts, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Vikings who had settled in England before them. As military historian Paul K. Davis writes, "William’s victory placed a foreign ruler on the throne of England, introducing European rather than Scandinavian society onto the isolated island" in "the last successful invasion of England." For a detailed recounting of the Battle of Hastings, including the specific tactics used on this long, bloody, and historically momentous day, please see the presentation at the end of this article. The Bayeux Tapestry The scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the death of Harold II Godwinson is featured on this silver proof. The Bayeux Tapestry is a 20 inch wide by 230 foot long (50 cm by 70 m) embroidered cloth (not an actual tapestry) which explains the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. The Tapestry is annotated in Latin. It is presently exhibited in a special museum in Bayeux, Normandy, France, with a Victorian replica in Reading, Berkshire, England. The tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England. The two combatants are the Anglo-Saxon English, led by Harold II Godwinson, recently crowned as King of England (and before that a powerful earl), and the Normans, led by William the Conqueror. It is believed that William's half-brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, commissioned the Tapestry sometime between 1070 and 1077. In many respects the Tapestry is both of the period and historically accurate; for example, the English are clearly seen fighting on foot behind a shield wall, while the Normans fight on horseback. In addition, the Tapestry documents and pictures other interesting historical tidbits, such as the 1066 appearance of Halley's Comet, which appears in the sky above dumbfounded onlookers. The Tapestry records, "Isti mirant stella", that is, "They marvel at the ill-omened star." For a more detailed account of the Battle of Hastings, including the tactics employed by Harold and William, please see the article at the end of this presentation. Please see the presentation lower on this page for more information about Tuvalu and its association with Australia. Technology Note The Perth Mint of Australia employs its own proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The vibrant hues and precise execution of the technology create a stunning, full-color portrait on each coin. Obverse The central color image depicts the death of Harold II Godwinson, as embroidered on the Bayeux Tapestry. To the right is a frosted cameo proof rendition of a Norman knight or heavily armored cavalry, charging with his lance. Beneath the tapestry scene is a Norman helmet and a Saxon long-handled battle ax, as used at the Battle. To the left one can find the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark. The legend reads THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS 1066 AD. Reverse Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl drop earrings, was executed by the sculptor Raphael Maklouf. The legend QUEEN ELIZABETH II, the date of issue and denomination also appear. Packaging The coin is encapsulated inside a handsome taupe leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full-color outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Specifications Country Tuvalu Mint Perth Mint of Australia Year of Issue 2009 Face Value One Dollar Weight 31.135 g Diameter 40.60 mm Gauge (Thickness) 4.00 mm Mintage Limit 5,000 Finish Proof with Color Composition .999 Fine (Pure) Silver Edge Reeded (milled, serrated) Artist Raphael Maklouf (reverse) Certificate Individually Numbered Order of Battle - The English Army The English army is usually thought to have been around 7,500 strong, and consisted entirely of spearmen and housecarls. It is most probable that all the members of the army rode to battle, but once at the appointed place they dismounted to fight on foot. The English army had just fought a major battle at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire less than three weeks earlier, which may have affected its battle worthiness at Hastings. The core of the English army was made up of full-time professional soldiers called housecarls. They had a long-standing dedication to the King, and would fight to the last man if necessary. Their armor consisted of a conical helmet, a chain mail hauberk, and they carried a kite-shaped shield. Their primary weapon was the Danish battle-axes which they wielded with two hands, although every man would have carried a sword as well. The bulk of the army, called the fyrd, comprised part-time English soldiers drawn from the landowning minor nobility. These thegns ("thanes") were the land-holding aristocracy of pre-conquest England and were required to serve with their own armor and weapons for a certain number of days each year. The most formidable defense of the English was the shield wall, in which all the men on the front ranks locked their shields together. In the early stages of the battle, the shield wall was very effective at defending against the Norman archery barrages. The entire army took up position along the ridge-line; as casualties fell in the front lines the rear ranks would move forward to fill the gaps. Order of Battle - The Norman Army The Norman army was estimated to be as high as 8,400 strong and consisted of, at the most, 2,200 cavalry, 4,500 infantry and 1,700 missile troops (archers and crossbowmen). William's strategy relied on archers to soften the enemy, followed by a general advance of the infantry and then a cavalry charge. The Norman army was made up of nobles, mercenaries, and troops from France to as far as southern Italy. The Norman army's power derived from its cavalry which were reckoned amongst the best in Europe. They were heavily armored, and usually had a lance and a sword. As with all cavalry, they were generally at their most effective against troops whose formation had begun to break up. The Norman infantry were probably protected by chain mail and armed with spear, sword and shield, like their English counterparts. The inclusion of large numbers of missile troops in William's army reflected the trend in other European armies for composite forces who combined on the battlefield. The bow was a relatively short weapon with a short draw, but was effective on the battlefield of the time. Hastings also marks the first known use of the crossbow in English history. The Battle of Hastings - A Detailed Account William relied on a basic strategy with archers in the front rank weakening the enemy with arrows, followed by infantry which would engage in close combat, and finally culminating in a cavalry charge that would break through the English forces. However, his strategy did not work as well as planned. William's army attacked the English as soon as they were ready and formed up. The Norman archers opened fire with several volleys, but many of the arrows hit the shield wall and had very little effect. Believing the English to have been softened up, William ordered his infantry to attack. As the Normans charged up the hill, the English threw down whatever they could find, including stones, javelins and maces. This barrage inflicted heavy casualties amongst the Norman ranks, causing the lines to break up. The infantry charge reached the English lines, where hand-to-hand fighting of great ferocity took place. William had expected the English to be faltering, but this didn't happen. The arrow barrage had little to no effect, and nearly all the English troops still stood, their shield wall intact. As a result, William had to order his cavalry charge far sooner than planned. Despite their careful breeding and training, faced with a wall of axes, spears and swords, many of the horses simply shied away. After about an hour of fighting, the Breton division on William's left faltered and broke completely, fleeing down the hill. Suffering heavy casualties, and realizing they would be quickly outflanked, the Norman and Flemish divisions retreated along with the Bretons. Unable to resist the temptation, many of the English broke ranks, including hundreds of fyrdmen and Harold's brothers, Leofwyne and Gyrthe. In the following confused fighting, William's horse was killed from beneath him, and he toppled to the ground. Witnessing the apparent death of their leader, the Normans panicked and took to flight. However, William took off his helmet to show he was alive and thereby rallied his army. William and a group of knights attacked the pursuing, but now dispersed, English, who were no longer protected by the shield wall, and cut down large numbers of fyrdmen. Many did not recognize the Norman counter-attack until it was too late, but some did manage to scramble back up the hill to the safety of the housecarls; others, including Harold's brothers, were not so fortunate. The two armies formed up, and a temporary lull fell over the battle. William took advantage of this lull to ponder a new strategy. The Normans' near-rout had turned to William's advantage, since the English lost much of the protection provided by the shield wall. Without the cohesion of a disciplined, strong formation, the individual English were easy targets. Keeping this in mind, William launched his army at the strong English position yet again. What happened next is open to debate. Some historians state that the Normans attempted several feint retreats, but this seems unlikely, as it would have inflicted too heavy casualties and would have been very complicated to carry out. The strategy worked either way, and many of the English housecarls were killed. With a large number of English fyrdmen now holding the front rank, the disciplined shield wall that the housecarls had maintained began to falter and this presented an interesting opportunity to William. At the start of the battle, William's bowmen had fired directly into the English force, and the hail of arrows was thus ineffective because of their shields. Though many on the front ranks still had shields, William ordered his archers to fire directly over the shield wall, so their arrows landed in the clustered rear ranks of the English army. The archers did this, and with great success. Legend states that it was at this point that Harold was hit in the eye by an arrow, though that is speculated from a scene in the Bayeux Tapestry. Many of the English were now weary, and lost the discipline of the shield wall. William's army attacked again, and managed to make small chinks in the shield wall. They were able to exploit these gaps, and the English army began to fragment. William and a handful of knights broke through the wall, and struck down the English king. Without their leader, and many of the nobles now killed, hundreds of fyrdmen fled the field. The housecarls kept their oath of loyalty to the king, and fought bravely until they were all killed. The bodies were cleared from the battlefield, William's tent pitched and a celebratory dinner held. Though casualties are entirely speculative, it seems likely that around 5,000 English and 3,000 Normans were killed during the battle. Aftermath Only a remnant of the defenders made their way back to the forest. Some of the Norman forces pursued the English but were ambushed and destroyed in the dusk when they ran afoul of steep ground, called, in later (12th century) sources, "the Malfosse", or "bad ditch". William rested his army for two weeks near Hastings, waiting for the English lords to come and submit to him. Then, after he realized his hopes of submission at that point were in vain, he began his advance on London. His army was seriously reduced in November by dysentery, and William himself was gravely ill. However, he was reinforced by fresh troops crossing the English Channel. After being thwarted in an attempt to cross London Bridge, he approached the city by a circuitous route crossing the Thames at Wallingford, and advanced on London from the north-west. The northern earls, Edwin and Morcar, Esegar the sheriff of London, and Edgar the Atheling, who had been elected king in the wake of Harold's death, all came out and submitted to the Norman duke before he reached London. William was crowned king on Christmas Day, 1066 at Westminster Abbey. The Island Nation of Tuvalu Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbors are Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. It is comprised of four reef islands and five true atolls. Its population of 11,992 makes it the third-least populated independent country in the world, with only Vatican City and Nauru having fewer inhabitants. It is also the second-smallest member by population of the United Nations. In terms of physical land size, at just 10 square miles Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world, larger only than the Vatican City, Monaco and Nauru. The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesian people, who arrived about 3000 years go. The islands came under Great Britain's sphere of influence in the late 19th century. The Ellice Islands were administered by Britain as part of a protectorate from 1892 to 1916 and as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony from 1916 to 1974. In 1974 the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency status as Tuvalu, separating from the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati upon independence. Tuvalu became fully independent within The Commonwealth in 1978. with Queen Elizabeth II as titular head of state. Because Tuvalu has few natural resources it has been dependent in recent years upon aid from larger, more developed nations, including Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The Perth Mint of Australia is officially commissioned by the government of Tuvalu to produce legal tender coinage for the island nation. Copyright © 2022 Talisman World Coins and Medals. All Rights Reserved.

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