Normans - 1066 the battles Flashcards
what are the fyrd
the part of the saxon army made up of peasant farmers
what are thegns
landowners who held less land than earls
expected to fight in saxon army
what was a vassal
someone who had been given land in exchange for loyalty/military service
what were the witan
council of leading earls, thegns, and bishops
why was tostig forced into exile in 1065
people of northumbria refused to accept him as their earl
why was tostig hated
harsh rule
refused to consider concerns of northumbrians
what did tostig do in exile
travelled to scotland, normandy, and norway to gain support for bid to return to power in england
what did harald hardrada do for tostig
assembled army of 10,000 norwegians and sailed to the north east of england
met with edwin and morcar at fulford on 20th SEPTEMBER 1066
what happened at fulford
harald positioned weaker troops at one wing of army
anglo saxons charged, hardrada brought stronger soldiers to attack from the side
english army tried to retreat but got stuck in marsh
blood bath of english basically
what was the outcome of fulford
hardrada won
captured york
camped his army 15 miles south at stamford bridge to wait for money and hostages
who were the housecarls
an elite troop, armed with shield and battle axe
what did harold do after he heard about fulford
assembled 15000 men (3000 of which were housecarls) in two days
what did harold do after he heard about fulford
assembled 15000 men (3000 of which were housecarls) in two days
how far and in how much time did harold troops walk to stamford
185 miles in 4 days
why did godwinson win stamford bridge
vikings were unaware they were coming - relaxed without armour, split up over the river
english killed most powerful viking fighter
