The Battle of Stamford Bridge

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The Battle of Stamford Bridge

• By D Harden

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(No Transcript)
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Edward the Confessors burial
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Harold is crowned King of England by the
Archbishop of Canterbury, 1066. The figures on
the left show him being offered the crown. Those
on the right applaud his acceptance.
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William the Conqueror after his invasion in 1066,
granting a charter to the City of London. Painted
by John Seymour Lucas, who died in 1923.
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Who Invaded England first?

• King Harald Hardrada of Norway
• Or
• Duke William of Normandy

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Was England Ready?

• King Harold was expecting an invasion. He thought
  that the Normans were the main danger.
• He sent his navy to the south coast just off the
  Isle of Wight

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How did King Harold prepare?

• Harold had two types of soldiers in his army
• 1. Housecarls These were full time paid men who
  were well trained
• 2. Fyrd These were ordinary men who were only
  called when England and the King were in danger

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Game of Patience

• Harold waited all throughout the summer of
  1066 waiting for the Normans. They did not
  arrive.
• Harolds armies were running out of food. The
  Fyrd wanting to go home and continue farming.
  King Harold had no choice but to send them home
  and send the navy back to London

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First Invasion

• In September Harold heard that King Hardrada
  had invaded northern England. Hardrada had sent a
  messenger to tell King Harold that his intent was
  to conquer the whole of England
• King Harold is supposed to have replied I
  will give him just six feet of English soil or
  since they say he is a tall man, I will give him
  seven feet

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In a Hurry!

• King Harold quickly marched 190 miles north
  to find King Hardrada at Stamford Bridge on the
  25th September 1066. King Hardrada had arrived
  with 300 ships full of Vikings.

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Caught by Surprise

• King Hardrada had arrived at Stamford bridge,
  York with Tostig, king Harolds half brother. His
  army had not expected king Harold and his men for
  a few more days. It was a hot day in September
  and the men had taken off their chain mail. (They
  were probably enjoying the sun)
• They didnt enjoy it for too long. When
  Harolds army attacked they were taken by
  surprise.

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Bloody Battle

• The fighting was brutal. The Viking army was
  almost completely wiped out.

An extract from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle From
the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. King Harold came upon
the Norwegians unawares. He met them at Stamford
near York with a great number of Englishmen.
There was a very hard battle, in which King
Harald Hardrada was killed, along with Earl
Tostig. The Norwegians that survived were put to
flight. Only twenty-four ships returned to
Norway.