The Saxons

Essex was important to both the Saxon King Harold and William the Conqueror. Harold owned Writtle, Hatfield Broad Oak, Havering and Witham, only for William to take them over when he became King. This land was controlled directly by the respective Kings rather than being handed over to the nobles or the Church to look after. Viking raiders were a problem for Harold. If he hadn’t had to rush over 250 miles north to fight Harald Hardrada (confusingly the same first name just a different spelling) and his traitorous brother Tostig, Harold might not have lost to William at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

Harold had to battle these Vikings at Stamford Bridge near York and then rush back south again to fight William. It was so far that only those soldiers with horses could go back with him. Not only was everyone exhausted by the time he reached the south coast, Harold also had to leave all his archers behind. This was a problem because the archers made a big difference in battles at that time. In the Viking saga written about the Battle of Stamford Bridge the writer says that Harold probably wouldn’t have won without them. Unfortunately we will never know if they would have made such a big difference against the Normans at Hastings. If you want to know more about how the Saxons fought the Vikings then take a look at the Battle of Maldon in 991. You can also see Maldon’s own version of the Bayeaux Tapestry at the Maeldune Heritage Centre. There’s even a statue of the Saxon leader, Earl Byrthnoth, down by the sea front in his armour with his sword raised high in the air.