Pope is the title given to the head of the Roman Catholic Church.to patrol the
coast, and sent
spies to monitor
William’s
activities.
Meanwhile,
William gathered
an army and an
invasion fleet in
Normandy. He
sent
representatives to
Rome to receive
thePope’s
blessing for his
expedition. He may also have conspired with
Harald Hardrada to launch coordinated attacks.
Harald Hardrada attacked first.On September 20,
he defeated an English army at the Battle of
Fulford near the northern city of York. Harold was
already marching north from London with
reinforcements. He reached York on September 25
and was able to take the Norwegians by surprise
at their camp a few miles from York at Stamford
Bridge.Harold’s surprise attack at Stamford Bridge put
a bloody end to the Norwegian invasion. Harald
Hardrada was killed. The Norwegian survivors
were allowed to return home. Their numbers were
so few that they filled only 24 of the 300 ships
that had carried them to England.
Nevertheless, Harold’s victory created an
opportunity for William. The Norman fleet sailed
for England on September 28. While Harold46
Norman soldiers set fire to a house standing in the way
of their army's advance (from the Bayeux Tapestry).The Norman fleet lands in England in 1066 (from the Bayeux Tapestry).