The Battle of Fulford and the Coronation of King Harold II

This section explores the Coronation of King Harold II and the Battle of Fulford that followed. 

Coronation of King Harold II

On 6 January 1066, Harold Godwinson was crowned King Harold II of England by the Witan, the council of nobles. This coronation marked a significant moment in English history, as Harold was recognised as the rightful king by many of the powerful earls across the kingdom. His most substantial support came from Wessex, in the south of England, where his family had great influence. However, the earls of the north, particularly in regions like Northumbria and Mercia, were more independent and sometimes resistant to southern authority.

Harold's position as king was precarious from the outset, as there were several potential threats to his throne. Even before his coronation, Duke William of Normandy had begun preparing for an invasion, spurred by his own claim to the English throne. Additionally, Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, and his ally, the King of Scotland, also posed significant threats to Harold's reign.

Harold’s Measures to Secure the Throne

In the face of these looming threats, Harold II took several key steps to consolidate his power and protect his kingdom. Over the course of his nine-month reign in 1066, he enacted four crucial strategies to strengthen his position.

Strengthening Alliances with Northern Earls
Harold travelled to the north of England to address tensions with the powerful Anglo-Saxon earls, Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria. These two earls were key figures in the north and could either support or challenge Harold’s rule. To secure their loyalty, Harold agreed to marry their sister, Edith, in a move designed to bind the earls to him.

Securing the Northern Borders
With his marriage alliance secured, Harold gained the assurance of Edwin and Morcar that they would defend the north against any threats, particularly from Harald Hardrada and his Norwegian forces.

Assembling a Southern Army Against William
Simultaneously, Harold gathered a large army in the south of England to prepare for the imminent invasion by Duke William of Normandy. This was a critical move, as Harold needed to address the threat from the south while also dealing with the challenges in the north.

Preparation for Dual Threats
Harold understood that he was facing a dual threat: Hardrada from the north and William from the south. He had no choice but to split his focus and resources, aiming to neutralise the northern threat first before turning south to deal with William’s forces.

Tostig's Return

Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s exiled brother, had been ousted from his position as Earl of Northumbria in 1065 due to his unpopularity with the Northumbrians. His harsh rule and disregard for local concerns led to his downfall. Following his exile, Tostig sought to regain his power and turned to foreign powers for support, including the King of Scotland, Duke William, and eventually Harald Hardrada of Norway.

Tostig and Hardrada formed an alliance, with Hardrada assembling a formidable army of around 10,000 Norwegians. Together, they sailed to the north-east coast of England to reclaim Tostig's lost position and seize control of the region.

The Battle of Fulford

On 20 September 1066, the two armies met at the Battle of Fulford, near the city of York. The English forces, led by earls Edwin and Morcar, faced the combined forces of Tostig and Hardrada. The battle proved disastrous for Harold II. Despite the strategic importance of the northern earls in securing his kingdom, Harold’s forces were overwhelmed by the Norwegian army. The defeat at Fulford allowed Hardrada to capture the city of York, and he then camped his army 15 miles south at Stamford Bridge, anticipating further negotiations.

For Harold II, the outcome of the Battle of Fulford was a significant blow. He had hoped that his northern earls would be able to repel Hardrada’s invasion while he focused on the impending threat from Duke William. With the defeat at Fulford, Harold would now have to personally lead his forces in the north before he could address the danger in the south.

In the aftermath, Hardrada's forces demanded payment and hostages from the English, which would set the stage for the next major confrontation in the year of Harold II's reign: the Battle of Stamford Bridge, where Harold would take drastic action to defend his kingdom.