“William’s superior preparation made him the likely victor in 1066” Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. 24 marks Homefun! - Due in Thursday 25 th September Osprey campaign book ‘Hastings 1066’ in library has useful additional info pages 39 onwards.

Planning Examine the mark scheme. a)How can we ensure answers are “well-focused”? b)What “precisely selected evidence” do you think the answer will require? [indicative content] c)What is meant by “historical interpretations and debate”? d)What would a sensible structure be to ensure “carefully organised” and “fluently written”?

Why did the Viking invasion fail? Do Now: 1.What was the basis for Hardrada’s claim to the English throne? 2.What made him a threatening opponent?

There were 3 battles in the year Fulford Stamford Bridge Hastings

Battle of Fulford Vikings Led by Harald Hardrada, King of Norway. Joined by Jarls of Orkney, Anglo-Scandinavians and English rebels under Tostig Approx. 10,000 warriors. Northumbrians Led by Morcar, Earl of Northumbria and his brother Edwin, Earl of Mercia. Approx. 5,000 warriors. Watch a clip from a dramatization to help gain an understanding of the narrative.

At first light the Housecarls of Edwin and Morcar move along the ditch to block the route to York. At the same time, The Earls are leading out the local levies or Fyrd to reinforce the two flanks. At Riccall, 7 miles (11 Kilometres) away, the Viking army is setting out for the battlefield. The tide is flooding the beck so the battle cannot start yet. The two sides had several hours to organise their positions as it would be nearly midday before the tide had fallen enough to allow the shieldwalls to engage. Note: Earl Edwin would also not have been able to occupy his flank protection position until the tide had fallen - It is possible that he was moving into position when King Harold stuck.

There is much shouting but a limited exchange of blows. It takes an hour or more for the initial force of Vikings to assemble south of Germany Beck. The Viking commanders would be looking at the ground and working out their plans. They could view almost the whole site from the high ground on their side of the Beck. Harald and his bodyguard would not have been visible to Morcar. Around midday, the tide receded so the land near the ford could be crossed.

King Harald, sent his weaker troops forward along near the ford. This was marshy ground so progress would be slow, but retreat would be equally difficult. Earl Morcar attacked at the ford with initial success. This drew the English from their high ground into the marshy land at the ford where the fighting bogged down. King Harald allows Earl Morcar to advance. The English defenders gradually come off their secure bank and go down into the ford. On the English left flank the Norse make no progress as the ditch is easy to defend. Light casualties leave the battle and limp back towards York, 1½ miles away. As the Norse sagas put it 'The banner of Earl Morcar advanced bravely'. But King Harald had laid a trap.

After more than an hour of fighting the warriors are already tired and thirsty. King Harald waits until the two sides are locked together before making his move. First, he commands his army to advance into the ditch and towards the English line. Next, when the armies are locked together, Harald leads a devastating charge. This will be the turning point in the battle. King Harald was a giant and coming fresh to the fight, with his chosen band, he would have cut a way where the riverside-path crossed the Beck. From the moment when Harald broke cover until he reached the English line and Earl Edwin's small Mercian force, was probably less than a minute. The shock and momentum allowed King Harald to force his way over the Beck. While some of Harald's Vikings pressed Earl Edwin's flank force back towards York, other Vikings now encircled the defender's side of Germany Beck.

The position of the defenders along the Beck was untenable. To their front, Viking warriors thrust at them from the ditch while others engage them from the other bank. Now, from their right, came King Harald's charge. The defenders could not reform or quickly reinforce to meet this threat. The firm ground on their bank was little more than a causeway. The outflanked line steadily yielded to Hardrada's superior force. From the high ground on the left flank, Morcar and his defenders could only see the battle in front of them at the ford where neither side was making progress. They would not have seen the breakthrough. Suddenly the Vikings were upon them from behind. It probably took less than an hour to force Earl Morcar's men into the Beck. The roll up had begun.

The Vikings cut into the troops on the high ground. They were now behind the English troops attacking at the Ford. There were 2 retreats in progress. The Earls might have been able to bring some order to the retreat. The records state that the surrender of York was by negotiation which suggests that the defenders were not routed. They probably moved back inside the city walls, secured and manned the defences. Many men died. Wading through the heavy mud was exhausting and soon impossible. Unable to move and dodge blows, they were easy prey. According to one saga, the Norwegians could cross the causeway without getting their feet wet. Fulford destroyed the mobilised manpower of the Northern earls.

1.How significant is Battle of Fulford? 2.Why is it the least known of the 3 battles? 3.How big an impact would it have on A – Hardrada’s invasion B - Hastings

Battle of Stamford Bridge Vikings Led by Harald Hardrada, King of Norway. Includes Earldom of Orkney and Tostig. Approx. 9,000 warriors of which 3,000 arrived late. Limited armour. English Led by Harold Godwinson, King of England. Approx. 15,000 warriors. Watch a clip from a dramatization to help gain an understanding of the narrative.

Aftermath  Of the 300 ships the Vikings used to arrive, only 24 were needed to carry the survivors home.  Harald and Tostig died.  Harald’s sons and the Earl of Orkney promised to never attack England again.  Harald’s kingdom divided among his sons.