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 would be equally difficult.
Perhaps appreciating that they would eventually be outnumbered, Earl Morcar attacked at the ford with initial success. This drew the English 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. King Harald allows Earl Morcar to advance. The English defenders gradually come off their secure bank and go down into the ford. On the English left flank the Norse make no progress as the ditch is easy to defend.
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