What if William The Bastard's Fleet was wrecked by a storm?

Art

Monthly Donor
In the English Channel? I know that the Channel often has rough weather, and historically, the Normans landed on the 26th of October, very late in the year. It is known that the Normans tried to cross the Channel earlier, and were not able to, though we do not know why. If William's army is devastated by a storm, then the Norman Conquest will probably fail.
 

jahenders

Banned
Actually, we do know that one reason they didn't sail earlier is because the winds were against them. William wanted to go as early as June, but had to wait for favorable wind. Ironically, had he been able to go when he wanted, he probably would have lost. Back in June/July, the Saxons had a fleet active in the channel, had the full fyrd called up, and the Huscarls were at full strength. IOTL Hastings was a close-run things -- with these changes I think William almost certainly loses.
 
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