Battle of Fulford

Question 1

Tostig returns

Answer 1

Tostig Godwinson was forced into exile in 1065 by his brother Harold because the people of Northumbria refused to accept Tostig as their earl. Tostig was hated for his harsh rule and his repeated refusal to consider the concerns of the Northumbrians. Morcar, the brother of Edwin Earl of Mercia, eventually replaced Tostig as Earl of Northumbria.

Question 2

Hardrada and Tostig form an alliance

Answer 2

Tostig did not go into exile quietly, he travelled to Scotland, Normandy and finally Norway to gain support for his bid to return to power in England. Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, assembled an army of 10,000 Norwegians and together with Tostig sailed to the coast of north-east England. The English resistance to Tostig and Hardrada was led by earls Edwin and Morcar. The two armies met at Fulford in York on 20 September 1066.

Question 3

Earl Edwin and Earl Morcar:

• Deployed soldiers = x5,000
• Reserve soldiers = x0
• Casualties = x1,000

Answer 3

Hardrada:

• Deployed soldiers = x6,000
• Reserve soldiers = x4,000
• Casualties = x600

Question 4

Disappointment

Answer 4

The Battle of Fulford was a major disaster for King Harold II. He had expected his northern earls to defeat the Norwegians whilst he waited for Duke William’s invasion from the south. Harold II would have to finish the job himself

Question 5

Outcome

Answer 5

The outcome was a decisive victory for Harald Hardrada. He captured the city of York and camped his army 15 miles south at Stamford Bridge to wait for Edwin and Morcar to send money and hostages