THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE – PART THREE While preparations for the invasion of England were under way it was impossible to hide such a mammoth undertaking. Not only were there English spies and sympathisers in Europe but fishermen could not help spotting the movement of newly-built ships assembling in the channel ports. King Harold was well aware of what was afoot but was under pressure from his estranged brother, Tostig Godwinson. Tostig was aged forty in 1066. He had been created Earl of Northumbria by King Edward in 1055 but became increasingly unpopular there. The men of the north were largely of Danish stock and disliked the idea of a ‘southerner’ ruling over them – previous earls had been local men. Increased taxation and harsh measures to stifle dissent, including ordering the assassination of protesters promised safe conduct, led to a revolt in October 1065 when men commanded by the northern earls, brothers Edwin and Morcar, assaulted York killing a number of Tostig’s officials and driving him out. They then marched south to present their grievances to King Edward. Edward sent Harold to negotiate and he convinced Edward that the rebels’ terms should be accepted, for if not then the alternative was civil war. Harold believed strongly in the unity of England, at least as long as he could influence whoever ruled it, even if that meant sacrificing his own brother. Tostig was therefore stripped of his earldom and exiled, whereupon he took himself off to Flanders to the court of his brother-in-law, Baldwin, Count of Flanders.
THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE - PART THREE
THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE - PART THREE
THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE - PART THREE
THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE – PART THREE While preparations for the invasion of England were under way it was impossible to hide such a mammoth undertaking. Not only were there English spies and sympathisers in Europe but fishermen could not help spotting the movement of newly-built ships assembling in the channel ports. King Harold was well aware of what was afoot but was under pressure from his estranged brother, Tostig Godwinson. Tostig was aged forty in 1066. He had been created Earl of Northumbria by King Edward in 1055 but became increasingly unpopular there. The men of the north were largely of Danish stock and disliked the idea of a ‘southerner’ ruling over them – previous earls had been local men. Increased taxation and harsh measures to stifle dissent, including ordering the assassination of protesters promised safe conduct, led to a revolt in October 1065 when men commanded by the northern earls, brothers Edwin and Morcar, assaulted York killing a number of Tostig’s officials and driving him out. They then marched south to present their grievances to King Edward. Edward sent Harold to negotiate and he convinced Edward that the rebels’ terms should be accepted, for if not then the alternative was civil war. Harold believed strongly in the unity of England, at least as long as he could influence whoever ruled it, even if that meant sacrificing his own brother. Tostig was therefore stripped of his earldom and exiled, whereupon he took himself off to Flanders to the court of his brother-in-law, Baldwin, Count of Flanders.