Battle of Fulford Gate

Question 1

How did the battle begin?

Answer 1

In the month of September 1066, Harold Godwinson’s fyrds (military forces) had to be disbanded so that the men could return to their farms to complete the harvest. While Harold Godwinson was making the decision to disband his army in the south, another claimant to the throne, Harald Hardrada, made his move. Hardrada and his 300 Viking ships sailed up the River Humber and landed 16km (10 miles) from the city of York in the north. Supporters of Harold were ready to defend their land and the first battle of 1066 began

Question 2

How many Vikings did Hardrada’s army consist of?

Answer 2

7000

Question 3

Who else was Harald Hardrada joined by?

Answer 3

Tostig Godwinson, Harold Godwinson’s brother

Question 4

Who were the English commanded by?

Answer 4

Harold’s two brothers-in-law, Edwin, Earl of Mercia, and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria

Question 5

How many men did the English’s army consist of?

Answer 5

3500 men

Question 6

What took the Vikings by surprise?

Answer 6

The initial English attack

Question 7

What overwhelmed the Anglo-Saxon army?

Answer 7

Viking numbers

Question 8

Who won the Battle of Fulford Gate?

Answer 8

Harald Hardrada

Question 9

After the Battle of Fulford Gate, the English army was s___________

Answer 9

Scattered

Question 10

After the Battle of Fulford Gate, the earls were forced to f____

Answer 10

Flee

Question 11

What was one problem the Vikings had after the Battle of Fulford Gate?

Answer 11

The Vikings had significant causalities

Question 12

Describe the beginning stages of the Battle of Fulford Gate (4)

Answer 12

• Hardrada and Tostig sailed from Scandinavia, across the North Sea and then sailed up the River Humber
• Thousands of their soldiers got off over 200 of Harald’s ships and they marched towards York, where Harold had previously stationed his Northern Army
• The Earl of Mercia (Edwin) and the Earl of Northumbria (Morcar), who were both brothers, met the Vikings led by Harald Hardrada, south of York at Gate Fulford.
• The battle took place on the 20th Steptember 1066

Question 13

What happened at the Battle of Fulford Gate? (5)

Answer 13

• The Earl of Northumbria (Morcar) and the Earl of Mercia (Edwin) had fewer troops than Harald Hardrada (because many of their men had left for harvest)
• However, Hardrada had a well-trained Viking army
• Hardrada ‘outflanked’ the English army (which means Harald attacked the back and sides of their army)
• The Earls’ armies totalled only a few thousand men and many of these people were injured
• Harold Godwinson, now known as Harold II was forced to march north with his army to help the Earls

Question 14

What were the short-term causes of the Battle of Fulford Gate? (2)

Answer 14

• Harold was vulnerable because his army was small. The time of year meant that men had to return home for harvest
• Harald Hardrada was attacking from Scandinavia. They attacked the north of England because it was easiest to reach, but also because Tostig knew Northumbria well and wanted to regain power there.

Question 15

Why did Harald Hardrada and his men attack the north of England? (2)

Answer 15

• It was easiest to reach
• Tostig knew Northumbria well and wanted to regiain power there

Question 16

What were the long-term causes of the Battle of Fulford Gate? (2)

Answer 16

• Edward the Confessor’s disputed succession was a long-term cause of the battle
• Tostig’s exile by Harold meant that he supported Harald Hardrada

Question 17

Which river did Harald Hardrada sail up?

Answer 17

River Humber