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'''The Battle of Stamford Bridge''' was the first of two [[Battle of Hastings|pivotal battles]] fought by the [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[king]] [[Harold Godwinsson]] in the year [[1066 |
'''The Battle of Stamford Bridge''' was the first of two [[Battle of Hastings|pivotal battles]] fought by the [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[king]] [[Harold Godwinsson]] in the year [[1066]]. Stamford Bridge pitted Harold's [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[army]] against a [[Norse]] invasion force under [[Harald Hardrada]]. |
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== The Buildup == |
== The Buildup == |
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When [[Harold Godwinsson]] inherited the throne from [[Edward the Confessor]] in early 1066, he triggered a furor throughout western [[Europe]]. Several other claimants to the [[England|English]] throne emerged, including [[William of Normandy]] and Harold's own elder brother, [[Tostig Godwinsson]]. Tostig, exiled to [[Scotland]], was quick to make an alliance with the [[Norse]] [[King]] [[Harald Hardrada]], and offer him rich rewards in England for his assistance. |
When [[Harold Godwinsson]] inherited the throne from [[Edward the Confessor]] in early 1066, he triggered a furor throughout western [[Europe]]. Several other claimants to the [[England|English]] throne emerged, including [[William of Normandy]] and Harold's own elder brother, [[Tostig Godwinsson]]. Tostig, exiled to [[Scotland]], was quick to make an alliance with the [[Norse]] [[King]] [[Harald Hardrada]], and offer him rich rewards in England for his assistance. |
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In the autumn of 1066, a huge fleet of [[Viking]] [[longships]] under Hardrada sailed to England. One Norse [[saga]], the ''[[Heimskringla]]'', gives the size of the fleet at more than three hundred longships and seven thousand warriors -- perhaps half the fighting strength of [[Norway]]. They met with Tostig's smaller force of a perhaps two thousand [[Scotland|Scots]] and renegade Anglo-Saxons, and sailed up the Humber river towards [[York]]. The fleet was beached at the town of Riccall, and the army moved inland. |
In the autumn of 1066, a huge fleet of [[Viking]] [[longship|longships]] under Hardrada sailed to England. One Norse [[saga]], the ''[[Heimskringla]]'', gives the size of the fleet at more than three hundred longships and seven thousand warriors -- perhaps half the fighting strength of [[Norway]]. They met with Tostig's smaller force of a perhaps two thousand [[Scotland|Scots]] and renegade Anglo-Saxons, and sailed up the Humber river towards [[York]]. The fleet was beached at the town of Riccall, and the army moved inland. |
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On September 20 this huge army of some nine to ten thousand defeated a hastily assembed [[English]] army at Fulford Gate and captured York. Thinking King Harold Godwinsson unaware of their presence on English soil, or perhaps certain that no army could march from [[London]] so quickly, the Norse were unprepared for the arrival of King Harold's army only four days later. |
On September 20 this huge army of some nine to ten thousand defeated a hastily assembed [[English]] army at Fulford Gate and captured York. Thinking King Harold Godwinsson unaware of their presence on English soil, or perhaps certain that no army could march from [[London]] so quickly, the Norse were unprepared for the arrival of King Harold's army only four days later. |
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King Harold of England had achieved an almost complete surprise; according to legend, some of the [[Norse|Norsemen]] didn't even have time to don their [[maille]] [[hauberk|hauberks]]. Harold and his [[housecarl|housecarls]] led the charge, thundering into the Norse by the riverside. The Norse tried to retreat across the bridge to reach their comrades on the eastern bank, but the bridge formed a serious bottleneck, and soon the English had cut off many of the Norsemen. |
King Harold of England had achieved an almost complete surprise; according to legend, some of the [[Norse|Norsemen]] didn't even have time to don their [[maille]] [[hauberk|hauberks]]. Harold and his [[housecarl|housecarls]] led the charge, thundering into the Norse by the riverside. The Norse tried to retreat across the bridge to reach their comrades on the eastern bank, but the bridge formed a serious bottleneck, and soon the English had cut off many of the Norsemen. |
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According to [[spear |
According to [[spear|local legend]], one [[axe]]-wielding Norseman held the bridge alone against the whole advancing English army for a time, but was killed by and English warrior who floated under the bridge in a [[salt]]ing tub and [[spear|speared]] him through the rickety [[wood]]en deck. |
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For perhaps an hour the fighting on the western bank was savage, but when those Norse who had been caught on the west bank were dead, the English army crossed the bridge and formed up in front of the ragged Norse [[shieldwall]]. |
For perhaps an hour the fighting on the western bank was savage, but when those Norse who had been caught on the west bank were dead, the English army crossed the bridge and formed up in front of the ragged Norse [[shieldwall]]. |
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According to legend, Harold then parleyed with Tostig, offering him the [[duke|duchy]] of [[Northumberland]] if he would make peace. Tostig is said to have replied "And what will you give my Norwegian friend here?" Incensed |
According to legend, Harold then parleyed with Tostig, offering him the [[duke|duchy]] of [[Northumberland]] if he would make peace. Tostig is said to have replied "And what will you give my Norwegian friend here?" Incensed by the arrogant answer Harold replied "Seven feet of English earth, or as much as he is taller than other men!" |
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With a peaceful outcome now impossible, the English army then charged into the Norse line. The ensuing battle lasted long into the afternoon, with Anglo-Saxon and Norseman alike unwilling to give [[quarter]]. Hardrada was [[kill|killed]] sometime after noon, and late in the day Tostig was slain by Harold's housecarls. |
With a peaceful outcome now impossible, the English army then charged into the Norse line. The ensuing battle lasted long into the afternoon, with Anglo-Saxon and Norseman alike unwilling to give [[quarter]]. Hardrada was [[kill|killed]] sometime after noon, and late in the day Tostig was slain by Harold's housecarls. |
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== The Aftermath == |
== The Aftermath == |
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Those Norsemen who survived fled to Riccall and hastily put to sea. Of the three hundred longships which carried the army to England, only twenty-four sailed home. King Harold of England seized the remaining |
Those Norsemen who survived fled to Riccall and hastily put to sea. Of the three hundred longships which carried the army to England, only twenty-four sailed home. King Harold of England seized the remaining [[ship]]s with the idea of creating an English [[Navy]], but he would never have the chance to implement the idea: three days later, on 27 September, [[William the Conqueror]] landed his [[Norman]] army at [[Pevesney]] bay. Harold was forced to march back to London, and arrived only eight days after the landings, his exhausted troops straggling southward behind him. |
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Harold's march north and his victory at Stamford Bridge was the masterpiece of a brilliant tactical mind. Unfortunately, it would set the stage for the English defeat at the [[Battle of Hastings]]. There was no time after Stamford bridge to rest and rebuild the army. Many of Harold's [[housecarl|housecarls]] and [[levy|fyrdmen]] were dead or wounded, or still making their way back from York. When Harold moved south to counter the Norman threat, he did so with a greatly weakened army. |
Harold's march north and his victory at Stamford Bridge was the masterpiece of a brilliant tactical mind. Unfortunately, it would set the stage for the English defeat at the [[Battle of Hastings]]. There was no time after Stamford bridge to rest and rebuild the army. Many of Harold's [[housecarl|housecarls]] and [[levy|fyrdmen]] were dead or wounded, or still making their way back from York. When Harold moved south to counter the Norman threat, he did so with a greatly weakened army. |
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[[category:battles (Medieval)]] |
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The '''Battle of Hastings''' (sometimes referred to as '''Senlac''' in [[France]]) is one of the most well-known battles in [[Europe|European]] history. It was the second of two [[Battle of Stamford Bridge|pivotal battles]] fought by King [[Harold Godwinsson]] in [[1066 C.E.]]. |
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=== External Links === |
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When [[Harold Godwinsson]] inherited the throne from [[Edward the Confessor]] in early 1066, he triggered a furor throughout western [[Europe]]. Several other claimants to the [[England|English]] throne emerged, chief among these [[William of Normandy]]. |
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While King Harold was fighting Norse invaders at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]], [[Duke]] William was waiting for a favourable [[wind]] to cross the [[English Channel]] and invade England. On 27 September 1066, he was finally able to cross the channel and landed at [[Pevesney]] bay, in Harold's own [[fief]] of [[Sussex]], where he quickly raised a [[castle]] from prefabricated sections and began [[raid|raiding]] inland, trying to force Harold to give [[battle]]. |
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Had William landed even a few weeks earlier, he would have faced a more formidable foe. King Harold had repulsed a [[Norse]] invasion of [[England]] at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]], but at the cost of much of his professional army. Many of the surviving [[housecarl|housecarls]] and [[levy|fyrdmen]] were still making their way back from York, having [[march|marched]] a round trip of more than four hundred miles in less than two weeks. Nevertheless, Harold [[levy|called up]] as many men as he could, and moved south to counter the Norman threat. |
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== The Battle == |
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On 10 October 1066, King Harold arrayed his host of several thousand Anglo-Saxons along the top of a [[high ground|low ridge]] about five miles from the village of Hastings, blocking the road north. At the base of the ridge waited William of Normandy's army. Having ridden to the [[battlefield]] the Anglo-Saxons fought in the ancient way, as [[infantry]] in a [[shieldwall]]. The Normans had many [[infantry|infantrymen]], but also a sizable force of [[cavalry|mounted warriors]] under personal command of William himself. The effectiveness of the Norman cavalry was greatly amplified by a single technological advantage: the [[stirrup]]. |
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Around midmorning the Norman infantry charged up the slope in a storm of [[arrows]], slamming into the English shieldwall on the [[high ground]]. Fierce hand to hand fighting ensued, and shortly after the initial clash, the Norman's left [[flank]] crumbled and [[retreat|retreated]] back downhill. |
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The Anglo-Saxon right flank, rather than staying in the [[shieldwall]], began an uncontrolled pursuit down the slope after the fleeing Normans. When they reached the base of the ridge, the Norman cavalry [[maneuver|wheeled]] in and, standing in their [[stirrup|stirrups]], rode down the Anglo-Saxons. |
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On the ridge, Harold was able to maintain control of part of his [[shieldwall]], but his command of the battle was severely hampered by his lack of mobility. Seeing his advantage, William changed [[tactics]] and began a series of [[charge|charges]] and [[retreat|retreats]] up the slope, each time drawing out more Anglo-Saxons, who were promptly ridden down. |
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Late in the day, the Normans rolled up the hill one last time under cover of the last of their [[arrow|arrows]]. Harold, possibly looking upward to gauge the sun, was struck in the eye by an arrow and killed. With his death, the Anglo-Saxons lost any coordination and the [[shieldwall]] disintegrated into a bloody [[melee]]. Harold's [[housecarls]] died to the last man, and his body was chopped to pieces by the Normans. |
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== The Aftermath == |
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With Harold dead and the Engish army defeated, William marched to London and seized the [[throne]] with little difficulty. The [[Norman Conquest|victorious Normans]] then established a completely new set of laws over the defeated Anglo-Saxons, effectively changing the character of [[England]] forever. |
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== External Links == |
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[[category:battles (medieval)|Stamford Bridge]] |
[[category:battles (medieval)|Stamford Bridge]] |
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[[category:battles (Medieval)]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:35, 19 February 2011
The Battle of Stamford Bridge was the first of two pivotal battles fought by the Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinsson in the year 1066. Stamford Bridge pitted Harold's Anglo-Saxon army against a Norse invasion force under Harald Hardrada.
The Buildup
When Harold Godwinsson inherited the throne from Edward the Confessor in early 1066, he triggered a furor throughout western Europe. Several other claimants to the English throne emerged, including William of Normandy and Harold's own elder brother, Tostig Godwinsson. Tostig, exiled to Scotland, was quick to make an alliance with the Norse King Harald Hardrada, and offer him rich rewards in England for his assistance.
In the autumn of 1066, a huge fleet of Viking longships under Hardrada sailed to England. One Norse saga, the Heimskringla, gives the size of the fleet at more than three hundred longships and seven thousand warriors -- perhaps half the fighting strength of Norway. They met with Tostig's smaller force of a perhaps two thousand Scots and renegade Anglo-Saxons, and sailed up the Humber river towards York. The fleet was beached at the town of Riccall, and the army moved inland.
On September 20 this huge army of some nine to ten thousand defeated a hastily assembed English army at Fulford Gate and captured York. Thinking King Harold Godwinsson unaware of their presence on English soil, or perhaps certain that no army could march from London so quickly, the Norse were unprepared for the arrival of King Harold's army only four days later. Harold Godwinsson had only learned that Tostig and Hardrada had sailed to England on 18 September, and had started moving north immediately. In a remarkable march, Harold led his fyrd of several thousand men two hundred miles in only four days. On 24 September, Tostig and Hardrada, encamped on both banks of the Derwent river near a wooden bridge, woke to the sound on an English army in full battle array sweeping down on the troops trapped on the west bank.
The Battle
King Harold of England had achieved an almost complete surprise; according to legend, some of the Norsemen didn't even have time to don their maille hauberks. Harold and his housecarls led the charge, thundering into the Norse by the riverside. The Norse tried to retreat across the bridge to reach their comrades on the eastern bank, but the bridge formed a serious bottleneck, and soon the English had cut off many of the Norsemen.
According to local legend, one axe-wielding Norseman held the bridge alone against the whole advancing English army for a time, but was killed by and English warrior who floated under the bridge in a salting tub and speared him through the rickety wooden deck.
For perhaps an hour the fighting on the western bank was savage, but when those Norse who had been caught on the west bank were dead, the English army crossed the bridge and formed up in front of the ragged Norse shieldwall.
According to legend, Harold then parleyed with Tostig, offering him the duchy of Northumberland if he would make peace. Tostig is said to have replied "And what will you give my Norwegian friend here?" Incensed by the arrogant answer Harold replied "Seven feet of English earth, or as much as he is taller than other men!"
With a peaceful outcome now impossible, the English army then charged into the Norse line. The ensuing battle lasted long into the afternoon, with Anglo-Saxon and Norseman alike unwilling to give quarter. Hardrada was killed sometime after noon, and late in the day Tostig was slain by Harold's housecarls.
Around dusk, those warriors left to guard the ships at Riccall arrived and joined the battle, but to no avail. By dark, although the English had suffered heavy casualties, controlled the field and had captured the standard and relics of Hardrada's house. The battle was over.
The Aftermath
Those Norsemen who survived fled to Riccall and hastily put to sea. Of the three hundred longships which carried the army to England, only twenty-four sailed home. King Harold of England seized the remaining ships with the idea of creating an English Navy, but he would never have the chance to implement the idea: three days later, on 27 September, William the Conqueror landed his Norman army at Pevesney bay. Harold was forced to march back to London, and arrived only eight days after the landings, his exhausted troops straggling southward behind him.
Harold's march north and his victory at Stamford Bridge was the masterpiece of a brilliant tactical mind. Unfortunately, it would set the stage for the English defeat at the Battle of Hastings. There was no time after Stamford bridge to rest and rebuild the army. Many of Harold's housecarls and fyrdmen were dead or wounded, or still making their way back from York. When Harold moved south to counter the Norman threat, he did so with a greatly weakened army.
