Sunrise - Confrontation - Battle begins - Turning point - Rollup begins - Encirclement Home
| The Norse leader,
King Harald, sent his
weaker troops forward along near the ford. This was marshy ground so
progress would be slow but retreat equally difficult.
Appreciating that they would soon be outnumbered, the defenders attacked at the ford with initial success. This drew the defenders from their high ground into the marsh where the fighting bogged down. Light casualties leave the battle and limp back towards York, 1½ miles away. Along the Beck brave Vikings take to the ditch and use their spears to try to force the defenders off their secure bank. But the ditch is easy to defend. There is stalemate. But all the time, more Vikings are arriving.
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