Battle of Stamford Bridge
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why Harold Godwinson won the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Key learning points
- After his coronation, King Harold II expected an invasion from Normandy.
- Harald Hardrada, king of Norway, also had a claim to the English throne.
- Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson launched an invasion of England in September 1066.
- Harold Godwinson defeated Hardrada and Tostig at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
- Harold Godwinson's victory had consequences for the Norman invasion.
Keywords
Fyrd - the fyrd was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king
Fleet - a fleet is a group of ships, or all of the ships in a country's navy
Casualties - casualties are the people injured or killed in a war or in a specific battle
Hostage - a hostage is someone who is taken as a prisoner by an enemy in order to force the other people involved to do what the enemy wants
Common misconception
It took many weeks to travel from the south to the north of England in medieval times.
Harold and his housecarls were able to cover 185 miles in just four days in 1066: an amazing achievement.
Teacher tip
1066 was the age of the warrior; a clash between larger-than-life characters. The drama of this military history can be brought to life with some simple maps showing the battle formations.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is a person who declares their belief that they have a right to something
Q2. is a prince of royal blood.
Q3.Who did the Witan nominate to be their leader?
Q4.Why was there no heir to succeed the throne of Edward the Confessor?
Q5.What did Harold Godwinson discover a few weeks after his coronation?
Q6.What gave William, Duke of Normandy, religious legitimacy in his claim to the throne?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The was an army which consisted of part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls when ordered by the king.
Q2.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
a group of ships, or all of the ships in a country's navy
the people injured or killed in a war or in a specific battle
someone who is taken as a prisoner by an enemy
Q3.Who launched the Viking invasion of northern England? Select two correct answers.
Q4.Who did Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson fight against at the Battle of Gate Fulford?
Q5.Starting with the earliest, sort these events into the order in which they happened.
Q6.What were important factors for Harold’s victory at Stamford Bridge?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Battle of Stamford Bridge, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Battle of Stamford Bridge, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.