1.13.7

The Conquest - The Battle of Stamford Bridge

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Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge was one of the most important battles in the lead-up to the Norman invasion. It happened on the 25th September 1066.

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King Harold's army

  • King Harold II's army reached the north and confronted Harald Hardrada and his brother's army at Stamford Bridge.
  • His army killed Harald Hardrada and his brother, Tostig Godwinson.
  • Harold II won the battle and defeated the Vikings.
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Causes of the Battle of Stamford Bridge

  • Short-term causes:
    • The Battle of Stamford Bridge happened because of Harold II's decision to march his army from the South to the North. This happened to defeat Harald Hardrada and to support the army of Morcar and Edwin, the Earls who had been defeated at Gate Fulford.
    • The Vikings were reportedly unprepared at Stamford Bridge, so it may have been an opportunistic decision to attack the Vikings.
    • A medium-term cause of the battle was Harald Hardrada's decision to invade England, and many historians, think that the disputed succession could be to blame for this.
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Significance of the battle

  • The Battle of Stamford Bridge meant that:
    • Harold's army killed his brother Tostig.
    • The English army was concentrated in the North after Harold's decision to march towards York.
    • The Viking threat to Harold II's succession of Edward the Confessor was defeated.

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1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

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1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

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1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

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1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

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2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

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3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

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11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

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