The army
of King Harald of Norway and took York, after a peaceful surrender the
local inhabitants agreed to gather supplies at Stamford Bridge. King
Harold left the south and marched north with his army on 25th September
1066 to York. surprised his brother Tostig and about 6,000 of his men,
and a long battle ensued in which the Norwegians suffered a complete
and utter defeat. Tostig was killed in the battle, along with Harald
Hardrada. 11,000 men defended the Norse ships but fewer than twenty
of the three hundred Norwegian ships returned home.
On 27
September 1066, William’s fleet set sail, landing near Pevensey
Bay, Sussex on 28 September. William then moved a few miles to the east,
where he built a fortified base near the coast, for his line of communications
with Normandy, - and waited for Harold's return from the north.
Harold,
left much of his forces in the north, and marched his army south to
deal with the threatened Norman invasion. Harold stopped in London,
and was there for about a week before marching to Hastings. Harold attempted
to surprise the Normans, but was found out by William's scouts which
proceeded to develop into a battle. William left his motte-and-bailey
castle with his army and advanced towards Harold who had taken a defensive
position at the top of Senlac Hill, about 6 miles from William's castle
at Hastings.
What
is referred to as “The Battle of Hastings”, began at about
9am and lasted all day, William used both cavalry and infantry, including
archers against Harold who had formed up as a shield wall along the
ridge's border, and were at first was so effective that William's army
was thrown back with heavy casualties. Some of the English troops appear
to have pursued the fleeing Bretons. However, Norman cavalry then attacked
the pursuing troops and killed them. Twice more the Normans feigned
flight and drew the English into pursuing them on foot, allowing the
Norman cavalry to attack them repeatedly. In the afternoon Harold was
killed, some reports claim that he was killed by William, another version
as might be shown on the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold’s death was by
an arrow to the eye, or perhaps Harold was the one shown slain on the
ground.