Details regarding the power struggle in England in 1066?

by Nordic_Man_793

The mods can remove this post if it's not suited for the sub, I will understand. I didn't really know where else to turn to.

Hello! I am planning on making an historical movie based on the fight for the English throne in the year 1066. The story will include people such as Harold Godwinson, William the Bastard and Harald Hardrada, with the first half of the story centering around Harold VS Harald and the second half centering around Harold VS William.

So far, I am in the stage of research and writing a very rough first draft of the script. And thus I wanted to ask you educated people of Reddit if there are any key points or interesting parts that absolutely should be included in the movie regarding this period? Such as quotes by people, facts regarding language or clothing, hairstyles and mannerisms and so on. My intention is to make this movie as historically accurate as possible not only in event but also overall, in all the cultures presented in the movie (Norman, Viking and English/Saxon). For example, an event I will include is the one where Harold Godwinson uttered "Seven feet of English ground, as he is taller than other men." to Tostig and Hardrada. Similar situations to this is what I am after, and much more.

I am aware that this is a huge question to ask but I am determined to make everything as correct as possible, so any information you may have at this point is welcome!

y_sengaku

While much, much more can be said on OP's question, I hope some of my previous posts below might be useful to OP:

+++

+++

+++

My personal recommendation is to check/ compare the descriptions of more near-contemporary English/ Anglo-Norman primary texts like variants of Anglo-Saxon Chronicles rather than later Old Norse traditions. Snorri's Heimskringla is, in fact, while apparently very detailed, quite a late one among Scandinavian primary texts (it is true that earlier historical writings from the 12th century Scandinavia allude to very little in the battle itself, though).

Your latest "rival" would be BBC two's: 1066: A Year to Conquer England (linked to the official site), and its historical consultant, Prof. Stephen Baxter, comments on the program here: https://www.historyextra.com/period/norman/getting-the-history-right-on-1066-a-year-to-conquer-england/

I wonder whether his comment might also be useful for any historical drama that deals with the events surrounding the Norman Conquest.

Additional Recommended Literature: