At the time of Hardrada’s invasion, Harold Godwinson was in the south of England, where he had been preparing for a potential invasion by William of Normandy. Despite this, the threat from the Vikings in the north required immediate action. Harold, in an attempt to consolidate his power and defend his kingdom, had no choice but to march his army north to confront the Norwegian king.

The journey from the south of England to Stamford Bridge, where the climactic battle would take place, was long and exhausting, and it took Harold’s forces several days to reach the battlefield. Upon arriving, Harold faced Hardrada’s army, which had been bolstered by Tostig’s men. The Battle of Stamford Bridge, fought on September 25, 1066, resulted in a stunning victory for Harold Godwinson, but at great cost. Hardrada was killed, and Tostig was also slain, effectively ending the Viking threat in the north. However, the battle left Harold’s army weakened and fatigued, and he was forced to make a hasty retreat to the south to face the threat posed by William of Normandy.

The Norman Invasion

Just days after the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold received word that William of Normandy had landed on the southern coast of England. William’s invasion had been long anticipated, and he had amassed a large fleet and army, including knights and archers, which gave him a decisive advantage in terms of both numbers and military technology. Harold, still recovering from the bloody conflict in the north, had no choice but to march his army south once again to meet the Norman forces.

The Battle of Hastings, fought on October 14, 1066, was the decisive moment in Harold’s struggle to keep the throne. Despite his earlier victory over Hardrada, Harold’s forces were fatigued, and the rapid pace of the marches left them ill-prepared for the ferocity of the Norman attack. The battle ended in a decisive victory for William, with Harold Godwinson himself reportedly killed by an arrow to the eye. With his death, the Anglo-Saxon resistance collapsed, and William became the first Norman king of England, changing the course of English history forever. shutdown123