Battle of Fulford

The Battle of Fulford took place at the place identified by Symeon of Durham as the village of Fulford near York in England, on 20 September 1066, when King Harald III of Norway - also known as Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson, his English ally, fought and defeated the Northern Earls Edwin and Morcar.

Tostig was Harold Godwinson's banished brother. He had allied with King Harald of Norway and possibly Duke William of Normandy but history has left us no record of what role Tostig saw for himself if the invasions were successful. The battle was a decisive victory for the Viking army. The earls of York could have hid behind the walls of their city but instead they met the Viking army across a river. All day the English desperately tried to break the Viking shield wall but to no avail.

Tostig was opposed by Earl Morcar who had displaced him as Earl of Northumbria.

Read more about Battle Of Fulford:  Background, The Pact, The Journey, Consequences

Famous quotes containing the words battle of and/or battle:

    Athelstan King,
    Lord among Earls,
    Bracelet-bestower and
    Baron of Barons,
    —Unknown. Battle of Brunanburh (l. 1–4)

    Each reaching and aspiration is an instinct with which all nature consists and cöoperates, and therefore it is not in vain. But alas! each relaxing and desperation is an instinct too. To be active, well, happy, implies courage. To be ready to fight in a duel or a battle implies desperation, or that you hold your life cheap.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)