BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE 1)
PRELUDE
In the wake of their triumphant conquest of Fulford, Hardrada and Tostig found themselves in possession of York, and the submission of its people. Promising hostages and provisions, the town's leaders pledge to join Hardrada's cause and agree to travel with them to conquer the south. Arrangements are made to meet them the next day with the hostages and they agreed to rendezvous at a place called Stamford Bridge on the 25th day of September. There, they would exchange more than lives in chains and provisions in sacks; they would exchange plans for the future. Plans to make England fall under Hardrada's rule, with their old enemy, Tostig as Harald's deputy. Unbeknownst to Harald and his troops, the morrow was to bring not only the warmth of sunshine, but the glint of menacing of steel.
King Harald's Saga, the best detailed evidence of the Norse invasion, vividly describes the weather on that day, which was to play a significant part in the battle. It was exceptionally warm for the time of the year and the warriors decided to leave their heavy armour behind, opting instead for the lighter burden of their trusty shields, helmets, and weapons. Some carried bows, perhaps with thoughts of hunting for tasty meat. In the midst of this carefree expedition, they were approached by a foreboding cloud of dust, emerging over the crest of the hill, on the other side of the River Derwent. King Harald Hardrada, halted his troops just before the bridge. The dust began to settle, revealing the gleam of striking shields and polished white coats of mail, Hardrada turned to the man whose powers of persuasion had brought him there, Tostig, and asked him who this army could be. Tostig advised, "Sire, it could be a foe of great peril, or perhaps, it might be my friends, bearing the weight of fealty and friendship."
They waited whilst the horde approached. The closer they came the louder the air reverberated with the sound of horses hooves and the greater the army grew. The enemy's weapons sparkled like broken ice. This is no friendly force, King Harald thought to himself. Who was Tostig trying to kid? If Tostig truly had so many friends, surely he would not have got himself kicked out
"It must be the king himself," Hardrada said, meaning Harold Godwinson.
Immediately Tostig suggested they leg it back to their ships where they would be in a stronger position to defend themselves. However, the great Harald Hardrada was not going to go down in history having fled from the foe! He dispatched three of his swiftest riders to summon their brethren from their encampment (on the River Ouse by Ricall) to come in haste to their aid. As the messengers galloped into the distance, Hardrada's banner, Land Waster, the crimson emblem of defiance, was pushed into the earth, claiming their position. If they were to do battle that day, they would face it bravely. The Viking warriors fell into formation, forming a ring of shields, facing outwards, an ominous challenge to the enemy etched into the steel of their gazes, displaying the Nordic indomitable spirit. Hardrada, surrounded by his chosen bodyguards, stood at the epicentre of the circle. "The English," he declared with a thunderous voice that resonated through the tense atmosphere, "will have a very hard fight of it before we accept defeat."
The formidable Harold Godwinson and his impressive array of infantry and cavalry descended upon the scene. Hardrada, was surveying his troops astride an ebony steed which stumbled, and threw the Norwegian king over its long neck. He immediately jumped up from the ground and laughed. "A fall portends fortune!"
Harold Godwinson inquires who might be the imposing man, to be told that it was none other than the great Hardrada, Thunderbolt of the North.
Then with twenty of his handpicked huscarls, our English Harold boldly rode up to the Norwegian lines to parley.
Harold calls out, "Is Earl Tostig in this army?"
Tostig replied, "There is no denying it. You can find him here."
English Harold says, "Your brother, King Harold sends his greetings, and a message that you can have peace and the whole of Northumbria as well. If you refuse, he is prepared to give you one third of his kingdom.
Earl Tostig replies, "This is very different to all the hostility and humiliation he offered me last winter. If he had made this offer then, many men would still be alive, and England would be in a much better state. If I accept this offer now, what will he offer King Harald Sigurdson for all his effort?"
Harold replies, "He has already declared how much ground he is to grant him: seven feet, or much more as he is taller than other men."
Tostig retorts, "Go now and tell King Harold to make ready for battle. The Norwegians will never say that Earl Tostig abandoned King Harald Sigurdson to join his enemies when he came west to fight in England. We are united in our aim: either we die with honour, or else conquer this land."
When the English horsemen turned away to join their lines, King Harald asked, "Who was that man who spoke so well?" and was told that it was King Harold Godwinson. He retorted that he should have been told who he was for he should not have come so close to their lines and get away. He turned to his men, and says heartily, "Such a little man, who stood so proud in his stirrups!"
Both sides prepared to do battle, the Norwegians and Tostig's men were very outnumbered but would fight the fight of their lives before the day was out.
Stay tuned for the battle proper coming up in the next post!
Hi, I am Paula Lofting, reenactor and author of the Sons of the Wolf Series and the upcoming to be published in January The Search For The Last Anglo-Saxon King, Harold Godwinson, England's Golden Warrior.
I hope you enjoy my blog posts and if you would like to buy my books you can find me on Amazon mybook.to/Sonslive & myBook.to/WolfB
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