In these delicate circumstances Harold was not wanting to himself.

By the most equitable laws and the most popular behavior he sought to secure the affections of his subjects; and he succeeded so well, that, when he marched against the King of Norway, who had invaded his kingdom and taken York, without difficulty he raised a numerous army of gallant men, zealous for his cause and their country.

He obtained a signal and decisive victory over the Norwegians.

The King Harfager, and the traitor Tosti, who had joined him, were slain in the battle, and the Norwegians were forced to evacuate the country.

Harold had, however, but little time to enjoy the fruits of his victory.
Scarce had the Norwegians departed, when William, Duke of Normandy, landed in the southern part of the kingdom with an army of sixty thousand chosen men, and struck a general terror through all the nation, which was well acquainted with the character of the commander and the courage and discipline of his troops.
The Normans were the posterity of those Danes who had so long and so cruelly harassed the British islands and the shore of the adjoining continent.