I disagree with James Burke when he emphasizes the importance of the stirrup in the Battle of Hastings. What he says is that the stirrup was the most vital piece in that specific battle. However, what I believe to be the largest contributing factor to William's victory was when he led the Saxons off of their high ground in order to fully utilize their cavalry to their full extent. The stirrup then did have a great impact in the ensuing slaughter but it had no true outstanding position in the vital move, which truly changed the course of the battle.
The connection between the longbowmen and the use of stakes interested me for it changed the landscape of warfare for years to come. This now knocked the cavalry off their