Battle of Fulford

Battle of Fulford

September 20th 1066

In September 1066 the Viking King Harald Hardrada landed an invasion fleet at Riccall upriver from the Humber. He was accompanied by the exiled Earl Tostig, brother of the English King Harold and together they wanted to control the throne of England. Hardrada accompanied by Tostig's rebels, marched north towards York, an English northern army marched south of York and took up strong defensive positions across the main road at a ford south of the village of Gate Fulford.


The battle of Fulford is often treated as a minor battle of no great significance. This is far from the truth, for it must have resulted in substantial losses for the northern English army. The combined losses at Fulford and Stamford Bridge severely weakened Harold’s army and contributed significantly to defeat at Hastings.