King Harold might have traveled by sea, not marched, in 1066, a revelation that could redefine explanations for his defeat in England’s pivotal historic battle. This particular account has been a cornerstone of historical education for generations of British schoolchildren, detailing one of the most famous and decisive moments in the nation’s past. In September 1066, while William, the Norman duke, was preparing his fleet to sail from France with the aim of claiming the English throne, King Harold of England received urgent news: the Viking leader Harald Hardrada had landed in Yorkshire with his own formidable army.
A Fascinating Discovery: New Research Challenges the Traditional Narrative of the Battle of Hastings

