The Battles of Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings
The Battle of Fulford
20 September 1066
Harold disbanded the fyrd (8 September 1066) - he believed William’s men would bring crops from France
Edwin and Morcar led their force into battle
Tostig and Hardrada rested in York with the intention of moving south
Tostig and Hardrada had defeated Edwin and Morcar which forced Harold to rush north → he had to gather troops on the way as he had dismissed the fyrd
The Battle of Stamford Bridge
25 September 1066
Harold had gathered an army and marched 200 miles from London to York in a week
Harold launched a surprise attack on Hardrada and Tostig (advantage)
the Norwegians surrendered to the English
Hardrada’s son Olaf was allowed to sail back to Norway, promising to never return→ returned with only 24 ships compared to the 300 ships from the beginning
artist Peter Nicolai Arbo painted an interpretation of the Battle of Stamford Bridge
it was based on the ‘Saga of Harald Hardrada’ written in 1230 by Icelandic poet Snorri
The Battle of Hastings
14 October 1066
long delay to England was due to bad weather as the wind was constantly blowing north e.g. William’s attempt to cross on the 12th September
28 September- William landed at Pevensey →began building defences
he ordered his men to raid nearby villages
Harold rode to Hastings in 4/5 days
Harold chose to make his stand near a forest- retreat was impossible but it provided a strong defensive line
William arranged his archers, infantry, knights at the foot of the hill
top of the hill- Harold had the same size force- 7000 men
The Battle of Fulford
20 September 1066
Harold disbanded the fyrd (8 September 1066) - he believed William’s men would bring crops from France
Edwin and Morcar led their force into battle
Tostig and Hardrada rested in York with the intention of moving south
Tostig and Hardrada had defeated Edwin and Morcar which forced Harold to rush north → he had to gather troops on the way as he had dismissed the fyrd
The Battle of Stamford Bridge
25 September 1066
Harold had gathered an army and marched 200 miles from London to York in a week
Harold launched a surprise attack on Hardrada and Tostig (advantage)
the Norwegians surrendered to the English
Hardrada’s son Olaf was allowed to sail back to Norway, promising to never return→ returned with only 24 ships compared to the 300 ships from the beginning
artist Peter Nicolai Arbo painted an interpretation of the Battle of Stamford Bridge
it was based on the ‘Saga of Harald Hardrada’ written in 1230 by Icelandic poet Snorri
The Battle of Hastings
14 October 1066
long delay to England was due to bad weather as the wind was constantly blowing north e.g. William’s attempt to cross on the 12th September
28 September- William landed at Pevensey →began building defences
he ordered his men to raid nearby villages
Harold rode to Hastings in 4/5 days
Harold chose to make his stand near a forest- retreat was impossible but it provided a strong defensive line
William arranged his archers, infantry, knights at the foot of the hill
top of the hill- Harold had the same size force- 7000 men
