Battle of Fulford 20th September 1066

 

The Battle of Fulford was the first of three important battles that took place in 1066. It was fought on 20th September 1066, near the village of Fulford, which is located just south of the city of York, in northern England.

Battle of Fulford location

It was fought between a Viking force led by Harald Hardrada, supported by Tostig Godwinson, and an Anglo-Saxon force led by the northern earls Edwin and Morcar.

Contents

Background
Armies
Battle Details
Consequences

 

Background to the Battle of Fulford

Around 1038, King Canute’s son, Harthacnut made an agreement with King Magnus the Good of Norway. The two agreed that if one of them died without an heir, the other would inherit their lands. When Harthacnut died in 1042, he had no children and Edward the Confessor, Harthacnut’s half-brother, became King. Magnus did not press his claim, but his successor, Harald Hardrada was keen to do so. 

When Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, Edgar Aetheling was next in line to the throne. However, he was just 14 yrs old and did not have the experience to lead an army against the anticipated challenge to the throne from William Duke of Normandy. Instead, the Witan chose Edward the Confessor’s brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson to be King. 

In 1065, Harold Godwinson’s brother Earl Tostig had been exiled after the people of Northumbria rebelled against his harsh rule. He was full of hatred for his brother and determined to take revenge. He allied himself with Harald Hardrada and they agreed an invasion.

On 8th September 1066, Hardrada reached the mouth of the River Tyne where he met Tostig. The pair began raiding the north before sailing south and entering the Humber estuary on 18th September 1066. They sailed along the River Ouse to Riccall, where they left their boats and marched north to York.

After learning of the Viking advance on York, the northern earls, Edwin and Morcar raised an army and marched south from York to intercept the invaders. 

 

The Two Armies

The Anglo-Saxon army:

A force of around 4,500 men Led by Earl Edwin of Mercia and Earl Morcar of Northumbria. They mainly used swords and shields but many also carried axes. 

The Viking army:

A force of around 6,000 men led by Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson. They also had another 4,000 men who were held in reserve and did not take part in the battle. They also mainly used swords, shields and axes.

 

Battle of Fulford Details

The Saxon army set up a shield wall on the northern bank of the Germany Beck, a small, tidal tributary of the River Ouse. The River Ouse was on their right and marshland to their left. The northern bank was slightly higher than the southern and the Saxons hoped this would give them an advantage. 

The Vikings approached from the south and set their shield wall on the southern banks. As the tidal waters of the Germany Beck receded, a Saxon force led by Morcar attacked the Vikings and successfully pushed them back. However, Viking troops were still arriving and a counter-attack forced the Saxons to retreat. Many drowned in the river Ouse or were caught in the swamps. 

Battle of Fulford 1066

 

Consequences of the Battle of Fulford

The Battle of Fulford was a decisive victory for the Vikings. The English army was routed, and thousands of soldiers were killed. The survivors, including Earls Edwin and Morcar, retreated to the city of York, which surrendered to Hardrada a few days later, promising hostages and supplies.

After learning of the Viking invasion, King Harold Godwinson had raised a force and marched north. Harold defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25th September and Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson were killed. 

However, Harold’s march north had left the south vulnerable and when William Duke of Normandy invaded on 28th September 1066, his landing was unchallenged.