The Battles of Summer and Autumn 1066

Harold had to fight on two fronts in rapid succession. Harald Hardrada landed in the north of England in September 1066 with his Norwegian fleet. On 20 September 1066, the Norse army defeated the English earls Edwin and Morcar at the Battle of Fulford Gate near York. It looked like a Norse conquest of the north was underway.

Harold Godwinson force-marched his army north in just four days — an astonishing feat of logistics and military organisation. He caught Hardrada and his army completely unprepared at Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066. The Battle of Stamford Bridge was a crushing English victory. Harald Hardrada was killed, as was Harold's own treacherous brother Tostig (who had joined the Norse invasion). Of the 300 ships that had carried the Norse army to England, fewer than 25 were needed to carry the survivors home. The Norse threat was ended decisively.

Three days later, on 28 September 1066, William of Normandy landed at Pevensey on the south coast of England. Harold now had to march his exhausted army back south — approximately 300 miles in roughly 10-13 days. Harold was warned to wait and rebuild his forces. He refused. Whether from confidence, rashness, or political pressure to act quickly, he pushed south at speed.