Harold Godwinson- The legend

King Harold Godwinson died on this day, October 14th 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, defending the English people from the Normans and what came to be known as the Harrowing of the North. His death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England and the begininng of the Norman Conquest.

The Viking warlord, Harold Hardrada, defeated the English Earls, Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria, at the Battle of Fulford near York on 20th September 1066. Harold Godwinson marched his army north from London to Yorkshire in four days, and caught Hardrada by surprise. On 25th September, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold Godwinson and the English army defeated and killed Hardrada and his men, before marching his army back south to meet William the Conqueror at Senlac Hill, near Hastings, two weeks later.

On 27th September, the Norman fleet set sail for England and arrived the following day at Pevensey on the coast of East Sussex, with 7,000 men. Harold's exhausted army marched 241 miles to meet William. The two armies clashed at the Battle of Hastings on the 14th October and fought for nine hours, where Harold was killed in battle and the English army were defeated after breaking their shield-wall.

Though we remember the battle on this day, we should take a moment to remember the brave men who kissed their wives and children goodbye and walked outside to join Harold and his men in the defence of the ordinary people of this country. They marched in the mud and rain for several weeks in October weather, before modern roads etc, and bravely fought two invading armies at different ends of the country. Though they were defeated in the south, Harold and his army remain heroic folk legends of the English people and shall be remembered.

Thank you Harold and the brave men who fought against the Vikings and Normans.

I remember doing a project at school, a while ago, regarding the Bayeux Tapestry which I
think depicted the Battle of Hastings.

Yes it does, Broady. Sadly, real history isn't being taught, just the shite with the left wing agenda.

One of "the Normans"!

Bet its you showing a bit of wisdom

Talking of wisdom!!! It looks like Tonker had better drive the long way round and avoid an irate gent with a GB sticker on his car in the Poolstock Lane area laaaike.