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The Conquest - Battle of Gate Fulford

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Battle of Gate Fulford

On September 1066, Harold Godwinson’s fyrds (military forces) disbanded so the men could return to their farms to complete the harvest, which left him vulnerable. The first battle of his era was at Gate Fulford.

Harald Hardrada and Tostig's invasion

Harald Hardrada and Tostig's invasion

  • In mid-September, Harald Hardrada, egged on by Tostig Godwinson, invaded England.
The Battle of Gate Fulford

The Battle of Gate Fulford

  • Hardrada and Tostig sailed from Scandinavia, across the North Sea, and sailed up the River Humber.
  • Thousands of their soldiers got off over 200 of Harald's ships and they marched towards York, where Harold had previously stationed his Northern Army.
  • The Earl of Mercia (Morcar) and the Earl of Northumbria (Edwin), who were both brothers, met the Vikings led by Harald Hardrada, south of York at Gate Fulford.
  • The battle took place on the 20th September 1066.
What happened?

What happened?

  • The Earl of Northumbria (Morcar) and the Earl of Mercia (Edwin) had fewer troops than Harald Hardrada (because many of their men had left for harvest).
  • However, Hardrada had a well-trained Viking army.
  • Hardrada 'outflanked' the English army (which means he attacked the back and sides of their army).
  • The Earls' armies totalled only a few thousand men and many of them were injured.
  • Harold Godwinson, now known as Harold II was forced to march north with his army to help the Earls.
Causes of the Battle of Gate Fulford

Causes of the Battle of Gate Fulford

  • Short-term causes:
    • Harold was vulnerable because his army was small. The time of year meant that many had to return home for harvest.
    • Hardrada was attacking from Scandinavia. They attacked the north of England because it was easiest to reach, and because Tostig knew Northumbria well and wanted to regain power there.
More causes of the Battle of Gate Fulford

More causes of the Battle of Gate Fulford

  • Long-term causes:
    • Edward the Confessor's disputed succession was a long-term cause of the battle.
    • Tostig's exile by Harold meant that he supported Harald Hardrada.
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