BattlefieldsHarold's Fyrd Dismissed September 1066
Early Medieval

Harold's Fyrd Dismissed September 1066

1066
Sussex, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
no immediate engagement
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Harold II fyrd dispersed
Outcome
Southern fyrd dispersed; fleet withdrawn; Harold left exposed to two-front crisis within days of the dismissal
The Battle

History & Significance

Harold was forced to dismiss the southern fyrd and his fleet in early September 1066 after months of coastal watch exhausted provisions and the men's patience. The dismissal coincided almost exactly with the Norwegian landing in the north, leaving Harold with only his housecarls for the rapid march to Stamford Bridge. The timing proved catastrophic -- when William landed on 28 September, Harold had to reassemble his army while simultaneously recovering from the northern campaign.

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