Fulford Gate, fought on 20th September 1066, was the first significant battle to be fought in England in that fateful year. The Viking Army was led by King Harald Harada of Norway and Tostig Godwinson whilst the defending English forces were led by brothers Earl Edwin of Mercia and Earl Morcar of Northumberland.
Tostig Godwinson was the traitorous brother of Harold Godwinson, King of England, who had fallen from favour whilst he occupied the role of Earl of Northumberland. Tostig had never been a popular with the people of Northumberland and his heavy handed approach to dealing with opposition led him to be outlawed and banished in in 1065.
Tostig then touted for support and found an ally in King Harada of Norway after the death of King Edward and after Harold Godwinson was proclaimed the new King of England. Tostig lead several raids against the south and east coasts of England, none of which were hugely successful, before heading for Scotland where he met his sworn brother King Malcom of Scotland.
Mid September 1066 Tostig sailed south to meet up with King Harard's forces and to join them in an attempt to take York
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| Tostig Godwinson's Division |
For the purposes of this battle, Tostig's division is made up of four main factions to reflect the support he was getting from his various backers.
The core of his troops were English rebels and his immediate family and kinsmen that had sworn oaths to his service. These are represented by two units - one of Hearth Guard and one of less well armed followers - equivalent to Select Fyrd in quality.
Tostig's wife was Flemish and thus he had received backing from his brother in law Baldwin, Count of Flanders. These troops are equipped in the Norman style and should be considered to be of good quality
Finally his sworn brother King Malcom of Scotland has supplied a Scots spear unit, these are agile, fast moving troops who whilst not suitable for a Shield Wall approach to fighting could harry and damage any unit it opposes.
As with all Hearth Guard units in this game, they can fight in a shield wall with swords and spears or throw caution to the wind and break out their mighty two handed axes to inflict maximum damage on their enemy,
Finally we have Tostig himself, with his three bodyguards (also Hearth Guards), this bodyguard will lay down their lives for their master in battle but in reward will expect the lion's share of any booty!
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| Tostig and his personal Body Guard |
Earl Edwin's Mercian Division, fought alongside his brother's Northumbrians. Not natural allies to Harold Godwinson but after Harold married their sister, Edith, the relationship between the three outspoken men was eased.
With news of Harald's landings Edwin & Morcar sort to gain further favour by confronting the Viking host in the field, delaying their advance, until Harold and his Army could arrive in the north.
Edwin's forces consisted of two units each of General and Select Fyrd, plus Housecals, Archers and a body guard.
Edwin has just 10 Housecarls in his array - formed into a unit...
Harald Hardrada led the main Viking force in the invasion of England that late summer in 1066, exact numbers are not certain but were certainly in the order of 10,000 by the time that the Battle of Stamford Bridge occurred.
However at Fulford Gate, we must assume that the army was still on the move with contingents arriving later than expected and with a large protective force guarding the fleet on the coast. It is also suggested that a number of the population of the north, especially those of Viking heritage, sided with Harald and came out for him in the days after his landing.
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| One of two Bond Units in Harald's array |
Harald's army also contains two units of Hirdsmen, typically armoured and armed with Spear, sword or Axe and trained in aggressive attack tactics.
Viking Hearth Guard and Hirdsmen are trained in the effective Swinehead tactic - basically a flying wedge that was designed to break into and disrupt Shield Walls.
No Viking Army would be complete without some Berserkers, these guys can fight as a single unit, or be hidden within other units to leap out and attack approaching enemies. Cleaver management of these guys can make a real difference in a tight fought game.
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| Harald's Berserkers, these figures are all converted form Warlord Games Ancient Britons |
Next we have Harald's Hearth Guards, fifteen chosen men under the Raven Head banner.
Finally Harald had two units of archers with him, these guys would be used to hunt and provide supplies for the army when on the move but also to 'soften-up' the enemy prior to any sustained hand to hand combat
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| Unit One of Archers |
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| Second Archer Unit |
King Harald has a bodyguard of 5 Ulfhednar warriors - equivalent of Berserkers and feared equally. With Harald are two Sub Commanders
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| Harald with Ulfheadnar bodyguard and two sub-commanders |
Earl Morcar of Northumbria brings six units to the battle. Two each of General & Select Fyrd plus a unit of Archers and his Housecarls.
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| Earl Morcar's Array. |
Anglo Saxon / Danish troops all have the ability to forma shield Wall and when fighting as such they gain much mutual protection and morale support. However, should the shield wall get disrupted then the units can be quickly damaged by well trained troops.
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| Morcar's General Fyrd #1 |
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| Morcar's General Fyrd #2 |
The Fyrd in these times was a levy raised from the population to defend their region against enemy attack. As the names would suggest the General Fyrd was taken from the lower ranks in society and would be less well armed, typically with Shield, Spear and long knife. The Select Fyrd was raised rom wealthier, better to do people who could afford helmets, chainmail or leather armour and even maybe swords and axes.
Earl Morcar as with any self respecting Earl maintained a body of household troops - his Housecarls, these guys were well armed and armoured and have the option of fighting in a Shied Wall or alternatively fighting with their twohanded Axes.
Morcar had a small unit of Archers at his disposal.
Morcar had a bodyguard of four Housecarls and two sub commanders at his disposal.
The Battle will be played out Friday 21st July at Rupert's venue. Figures are all 28mm, movement trays will be used and the rules are home grown!
Steve & Mark have requested to be English leaders and Dave is threatening to arrive with additional Viking forces that will be assigned to Tostig's motley crew...
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