I am going to do something a little different here. This thread will be a decision game in which you will make up to three arguments explaining why you think your proposed action will succeed. I will decide whether it does succeed based on a dice roll and your argument and will write up an account of the events that result
Briefing
The Point of Departure is the Battle of Stamford Bridge 25 September 1066. Harold Godwinson has marched north in response to Harold Hardrada's invasion of England and the destruction of the army of the Northern Earls (Edwin and Morcar) at Fulford Bridge) The Battle of Stamford Bridge was a disaster for the Saxons. Harold Godwinson was killed and much of his 15000 man army were slaughtered in a dramatic counter attack by Harold Hardrada and Tostig mounted when a force of 3000 Vikings reached the battlefield in a timely reinforcement.
Harold's brothers Gyrth and Leofwine survived the disaster though both were wounded and fled to East Anglia with some 2000 survivors reaching East Anglia some days after the, battle Here they would spend the winter recovering from their wounds and doing what they could to regroup and attract new recruits.
In the north Harold Hardrada and Tostig occupied York. Tostig, after swearing fealty to Hardrada was restored to his Earldom. The two spent the winter here recruiting and training newly raised supporters from he settled Viking population of the area and from Tostig's supporters in the area.
The Northern Earls, Edwin and Morcar went into hiding after the disasters at Stamford Bridge and Fulford. During the winter the two Northern Lords must evade capture (and probable execution) and must decide upon their future course of action. Certainly, throwing themselves on the mercies of Hardrada and Tostig.
In the south Duke William of Normandy landed in England at Pevensey on 28 September. The Norman army spent the next few days raiding and devastating the area around Pevensey before the rumours of a Saxon disaster and Harold Godwinson's death were confirmed on 4 October. Severa days later Duke William's army began its' march on London dispersing and annihilating a hastily gathered force of somf 5000 local Fyrd at the Battle of Hastings 14 October 1066.
Following his victory t Hastings Duke William continued to march on London. occupyng the city despite a further battle at Southwark and a failed Norman attempt to storm London Bridge. Subsequent to these minor setbacks Duke William crossed the Thames at Wallingford, moved through the Chilern Hillsand approached th city from the North West. Following several more skirmishes and minor engagements the surviving local Saxon lords offered their submission to Duke William at Berkhamstead. On 25 December, at Westminster Abbey Duke William was proclaimed King of England despite a disasterous and, as many viewed it, an ill omened riot.
King William spent the rest of the winter 1066 - 7 in London, resting and regrouping his forces and consolidating his new domain building a significant number of Motte and Bailey castes throughout the South East. The new Norman King faced several probes, threats and challenges. First and most obvious was. of course, the Viking army under Hardrada and Tostig. In the spring it was likely that Hardrada would march south to challenge the Normans and establish control out of the rest of England. King William on the other hand would need to move north and/or west to establish Norman control over the rest of Saxon England. For now, given his papal backing Normandy could be considered safe. However, if William should become bogged down in an extended and bloody campaign in England here were enemies and rivals who might seek to take advantage of his absence from Normandy
In Wessex the 15 year old Saxon prince 15 year old Edgar the Atheling found refuge in Winchester. Though the young Prince was not ye of an age to lead armies he was still the last surviving member of the House of Cerdic and thus a possible focus for the surviving Saxon leadership to rally around in opposition to Hardrada and William.
The attitudes and intentions of the Welsh Princes and King Malcolm of Scotland re unknown but they are unlikely to be well disposed to any of the belligerents in this new war,
It is now the early spring of 1067. After a winter spent in planning, recruiting and recuperation the Norman, Saxon and Viking leaders must now begin putting their intentions into action
Briefing
The Point of Departure is the Battle of Stamford Bridge 25 September 1066. Harold Godwinson has marched north in response to Harold Hardrada's invasion of England and the destruction of the army of the Northern Earls (Edwin and Morcar) at Fulford Bridge) The Battle of Stamford Bridge was a disaster for the Saxons. Harold Godwinson was killed and much of his 15000 man army were slaughtered in a dramatic counter attack by Harold Hardrada and Tostig mounted when a force of 3000 Vikings reached the battlefield in a timely reinforcement.
Harold's brothers Gyrth and Leofwine survived the disaster though both were wounded and fled to East Anglia with some 2000 survivors reaching East Anglia some days after the, battle Here they would spend the winter recovering from their wounds and doing what they could to regroup and attract new recruits.
In the north Harold Hardrada and Tostig occupied York. Tostig, after swearing fealty to Hardrada was restored to his Earldom. The two spent the winter here recruiting and training newly raised supporters from he settled Viking population of the area and from Tostig's supporters in the area.
The Northern Earls, Edwin and Morcar went into hiding after the disasters at Stamford Bridge and Fulford. During the winter the two Northern Lords must evade capture (and probable execution) and must decide upon their future course of action. Certainly, throwing themselves on the mercies of Hardrada and Tostig.
In the south Duke William of Normandy landed in England at Pevensey on 28 September. The Norman army spent the next few days raiding and devastating the area around Pevensey before the rumours of a Saxon disaster and Harold Godwinson's death were confirmed on 4 October. Severa days later Duke William's army began its' march on London dispersing and annihilating a hastily gathered force of somf 5000 local Fyrd at the Battle of Hastings 14 October 1066.
Following his victory t Hastings Duke William continued to march on London. occupyng the city despite a further battle at Southwark and a failed Norman attempt to storm London Bridge. Subsequent to these minor setbacks Duke William crossed the Thames at Wallingford, moved through the Chilern Hillsand approached th city from the North West. Following several more skirmishes and minor engagements the surviving local Saxon lords offered their submission to Duke William at Berkhamstead. On 25 December, at Westminster Abbey Duke William was proclaimed King of England despite a disasterous and, as many viewed it, an ill omened riot.
King William spent the rest of the winter 1066 - 7 in London, resting and regrouping his forces and consolidating his new domain building a significant number of Motte and Bailey castes throughout the South East. The new Norman King faced several probes, threats and challenges. First and most obvious was. of course, the Viking army under Hardrada and Tostig. In the spring it was likely that Hardrada would march south to challenge the Normans and establish control out of the rest of England. King William on the other hand would need to move north and/or west to establish Norman control over the rest of Saxon England. For now, given his papal backing Normandy could be considered safe. However, if William should become bogged down in an extended and bloody campaign in England here were enemies and rivals who might seek to take advantage of his absence from Normandy
In Wessex the 15 year old Saxon prince 15 year old Edgar the Atheling found refuge in Winchester. Though the young Prince was not ye of an age to lead armies he was still the last surviving member of the House of Cerdic and thus a possible focus for the surviving Saxon leadership to rally around in opposition to Hardrada and William.
The attitudes and intentions of the Welsh Princes and King Malcolm of Scotland re unknown but they are unlikely to be well disposed to any of the belligerents in this new war,
It is now the early spring of 1067. After a winter spent in planning, recruiting and recuperation the Norman, Saxon and Viking leaders must now begin putting their intentions into action
