Page "Battle of Stamford Bridge" Paragraph 1

The death of King Edward the Confessor of England in January 1066 had triggered a succession struggle in which a variety of contenders from across north-western Europe fought for the English throne.

These claimants included the King of Norway, Harald Hardraada, who assembled a fleet of 300 ships, probably carrying about 15, 000 troops, to invade England.

Arriving off the English coast in September he was joined by further forces recruited in Flanders and Scotland by Tostig Godwinson.

Tostig was at odds with his elder brother Harold ( who had been elected king ), having been ousted from his position as Earl of Northumbria and exiled in 1065, and had mounted a series of abortive attacks on England in the spring of 1066.

In the late summer of 1066, the invaders sailed up the Ouse before advancing on York.

Outside the city they defeated a northern English army led by Edwin, Earl of Mercia and his brother Morcar, Earl of Northumbria at the Battle of Fulford on 20 September.

Following this victory they received the surrender of York.

Having briefly occupied the city and taken hostages and supplies from the city they returned to their ships at Riccall.

They offered peace to the Northumbrians in exchange for their support for Harald's bid for the throne, and demanded further hostages from the whole of Yorkshire.