- New research suggests King Harold's army likely travelled by ship to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, rather than undertaking a near 200-mile forced march.
- Professor Tom Licence of the University of East Anglia argues the traditional narrative is a Victorian misunderstanding, stemming from a misinterpretation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
- Licence contends that Harold's fleet, thought to have been disbanded, actually returned to London and remained operational, supporting troop movements.
- Contemporary sources indicate Harold strategically used his naval assets for defence against both Viking and Norman invasions, portraying him as a sophisticated commander.
- This discovery reframes the events of 1066, highlighting Anglo-Saxon maritime capability and is supported by Professor Michael Lewis of the British Museum, ahead of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition.
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