On the 18th of September, 1066, Harald Hardrada landed with Tostig Godwinson at the mouth of the River Humber and began his invasion of England.
Harald Hardrada, King of Norway from 1046 until his death in 1066, played a pivotal role in the dramatic events of that fateful year, marked by the struggle for the English crown. His invasion of England in 1066 not only highlighted his ambition and military prowess but also set the stage for one of the most transformative periods in English history.
Harald Hardrada, whose epithet means “hard ruler,” was a formidable warrior with a storied past. Prior to his reign in Norway, he had served as a mercenary and military leader in the Byzantine Empire’s elite Varangian Guard, gaining extensive experience in warfare across continents. His claim to the English throne was tenuous but rooted in a prior agreement involving King Cnut’s dynasty. Harald argued that an earlier deal between Magnus the Good of Norway and King Harthacnut of England implied his right to succession after Edward the Confessor’s death, though this claim was not widely recognised.
The death of Edward the Confessor in January 1066 without an heir triggered a succession crisis. Harold Godwinson was swiftly crowned King of England, but his ascension was contested by several rivals, including William, Duke of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada. Encouraged by Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s exiled brother, who sought revenge after being ousted as Earl of Northumbria, Harald launched his invasion with ambitions of seizing the English crown.
In September 1066, Harald Hardrada assembled a formidable fleet, reportedly consisting of around 300 ships and up to 15,000 men. He sailed from Norway to the Orkney Islands, where he gathered additional troops and resources before proceeding to England. Landing on the Yorkshire coast, he quickly captured the town of Scarborough, employing brutal tactics to subdue resistance and instil fear.
The Norwegian forces advanced inland, meeting little opposition initially. On the 20th of September, Harald achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Fulford. His army, alongside Tostig’s forces, decisively defeated the local English earls, Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria. This victory opened the path to the city of York, which capitulated shortly thereafter.
However, Harald’s success was short-lived. King Harold Godwinson, having rapidly marched his army north from London—a remarkable feat covering nearly 185 miles in just four days—launched a surprise attack. On the 25th of September, the two armies clashed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The Norwegians, caught off guard, were ill-prepared; many had left their armour behind due to the unseasonably warm weather.
Despite their disadvantage, Harald’s forces fought valiantly. Harald himself was a towering figure in battle, known for his fearsome presence and leadership. According to legend, he fought with ferocity until he was struck in the throat by an arrow, leading to his death on the battlefield. His demise marked a decisive turning point in the battle, with the remaining Norwegian forces suffering heavy losses. Tostig was also killed, and the remnants of Harald’s army retreated, sailing back to Norway with only a fraction of their original fleet.
Harald Hardrada’s invasion had profound consequences. While he failed to claim the English crown, his campaign significantly weakened King Harold Godwinson’s forces. The rapid march north, the intense battle, and the subsequent return south exhausted Harold’s army. Just weeks later, Harold faced another invasion—this time from William of Normandy—culminating in the pivotal Battle of Hastings on the 14th of October 1066. Harold’s depleted and fatigued forces were defeated, leading to William’s conquest of England.
In retrospect, Harald Hardrada’s role in 1066 was crucial. His invasion indirectly facilitated the Norman Conquest, altering the course of English history. Harald is often considered the last great Viking king, his death symbolising the end of the Viking Age. His legacy endures as a testament to the era’s adventurous spirit, martial ambition, and the complex web of dynastic claims that shaped medieval Europe.
If you wish to know more about the pelican background to 1066, you cannot do better than read Senlac Book 1 reviewed here. For the tactics and events themselves, it has to be Senlac Book 2, reviewed here.