Who was Harald Hardrada? What was his claim to the throne of England?

What happens once Godwinson is crowned? 6th January 1066 – Harold Godwinson. Preparations to defend crown begin and strength of navy and military increased. May 1066 – Harold Godwinson is well prepared and stations himself along South coast to wait for William of Normandy. May 1066 – Tostig, Harold Godwinson’s brother and supporter of Hardrada, begins to raid towns along Sussex coast. He is scared off by Godwinson’s troops and flees to Scotland to wait for Hardrada. May to September 1066 – Harold Godwinson and his troops are still along the South coast waiting for William of Normandy to attack. 8th September 1066 – Harold Godwinson sends his army home. Godwinson returns to London. A few days later Tostig and Harald Hardrada begin sailing down North East coast from Scotland ready to challenge Godwinson to the throne! What happens once Godwinson is crowned?

How did Harold Godwinson defeat the Viking threat? Learning outcomes: Explain what happened in the Battle of Gate Fulford and the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Evaluate why the Battle of Stamford Bridge was a victory for Harold Godwinson.

Battle of Stamford Bridge, 25th September 1066 Battle of Gate Fulford, 20th September 1066 Who? Vikings – Harald Hardrada with support of Tostig Godwinson English – Earl Morcar and Earl Edwin in support of Harold Godwinson. Outcome? Victory for the Vikings Battle of Stamford Bridge, 25th September 1066 Who? Vikings – Harald Hardrada with support of Tostig Godwinson English – Harold Godwinson Outcome? Victory for the English

Battle of Gate Fulford Vikings – Harald Hardrada with support of Tostig Godwinson Who? English – Earl Morcar and Earl Edwin in support of Harold Godwinson. Outcome? Victory for the Vikings Using page 29 in the Pearson book examine the reasons why the Vikings were able to defeat the English earls Edwin and Morcar and annotate your own battlefield map. L/O: Explain what happened in the Battle of Gate Fulford and the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Battlefield analysis Size Topography – natural and physical features of the area (rivers, bridges, hills etc.) Position of the armies Tactics Other features/issues

Cost of the battle for the English? Tactics: Hardrada used a clever strategy. He positioned Tostig’s weaker troops on one wing and when the English troops rushed at them he was able to hit them with his best troops from one side. Topography: The geography of the battlefield meant that any Viking attack would have fatal results, sending the English into the swamp, the ditch or the river. Position of armies: English army on boggy/marshy land. Hardrada positions Tostig’s troops on one wing – clever tactic. Other features/issues: Edwin and Morcar were young and inexperienced. They faced hardened warriors well used to fighting and an excellent leader (Hardrada). Edwin and Morcar may have been outnumbered; it is thought they had 6,000 troops against perhaps 9,000 for Hardrada and Tostig. Why did Hardrada win at Gate Fulford? Cost of the battle for the English? 1000 lives, incl. many experienced soldiers. Both Edwin and Morcar escaped but unable to provide support to Harold at Stamford Bridge.

Battle of Stamford Bridge Learning of the invasion Harold realises that he must march North to stop the Viking threat. Having already sent the majority of his army home Harold calls on the Housecarls to march North. The Housecarls were a small band of loyal and professional soldiers. He sent messengers ahead to raise a new army as he travelled. His march North was an outstanding military achievement, it is very hard to gather all those men and travel that distance in only 5 days.

A cunning plan… Hardrada and Tostig had taken hostages following the Battle of Gate Fulford and demanded more. Hardrada and Tostig were informed that more hostages would be handed over to them at a place called Stamford Bridge. On 25th September they were at Stamford Bridge waiting for their hostages when Harold Godwinson launched a surprise attack.

The Vikings had fought a battle five days before. Using page 30 in the Pearson book and page 21 in the purple book examine the reasons why Godwinson was able to defeat Hardrada and annotate your map explaining why. Topography: there was a small hill overlooking Stamford Bridge which meant that Godwin could approach undetected. Position of armies: Hardrada’s army were split on both sides of the river. Due to the hill Godwin could approach strategically. Other issues/features: Viking army had left their armour on their ships as well as men. The Vikings had fought a battle five days before. Skill of Godwinson’s Housecarls. Tactics: Godwinson tricked Hardrada to lure him to the location. Hardrada’s shield wall broken leaving them vulnerable. Vikings did not defend bridge properly. L/O: Explain what happened in the Battle of Gate Fulford and the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

How did Harold Godwinson defeat the Viking threat? Why was Gate Fulford a defeat for the English? Why was Stamford Bridge a victory? What was the most important reason why Godwinson was able to defeat Hardrada at Stamford Bridge? Topography? Location of armies? Tactics? Something else? How did Harold Godwinson defeat the Viking threat? L/O: Evaluate why the Battle of Stamford Bridge was a victory for Harold Godwinson.