Harald Hardrada, Norway's formidable king, had landed in Yorkshire with some 300 ships, supported by Harold's exiled brother Tostig, and defeated the northern earls at Fulford. Harold marched north from London in about four days and caught the Norwegians by surprise, many without their armour. Hardrada and Tostig were killed, and so few survivors remained that they needed only about 24 ships to go home. Three days later, William of Normandy landed on England's south coast.
When Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, three men claimed the English throne: Harold Godwinson, who was crowned the next day; William, Duke of Normandy; and Harald Hardrada of Norway. Hardrada, a veteran of wars across Europe and the Byzantine Empire, sailed first. He and Tostig defeated the English earls Edwin and Morcar at Fulford, outside York, on September 20, and York surrendered.
Harold, who had been guarding the south coast against William, raced north with his household troops, collecting men along the way. On September 25 he found the Norwegians resting near Stamford Bridge on the River Derwent. Many had left their mail shirts at their ships, as the day was warm. According to a later tradition, a single Norwegian held the bridge with an axe until an Englishman floated under it in a barrel and speared him from below.
Hardrada was killed by an arrow in the throat, and the battle ended the age of large Viking invasions of England. But on September 28 William landed at Pevensey. Harold marched south again, and on October 14 he was killed at Hastings.
Key people: Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada, Tostig Godwinson