battle of Stanford bridge

• 25th September 1066 Harold surprised Hardrada and Tostig at Stamford Bridge.
• Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed.
• Hardrada and Tostig’s invasion distracted Harold from the south. Harold had already stood down the southern fyrd anyway.
• Edwin and Morcar made strategic errors at Gate Fulford. Harold expected they’d need help – he was already on his way north to help them before they were defeated.
• Harold’s march south again made his troops less battle ready than William’s. Morale would have been high though – they had just won at Stamford Bridge.
• His Stamford Bridge success may have made Harold overconfident. He rushed to fight William. Harold and the Witan had been preparing for a battle with William for months.
• Edwin and Morcar were unable to fight with Harold at Hastings. The only evidence for this is the fact they aren’t mentioned in sources on Hastings.
• Harold travelled 185 miles with his army in just four days.