The Conquest - The Battle of Stamford Bridge

History: KS3, topic 1.13.7

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.

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.

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.

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.