What tactic did Harold Godwinson's forces use at Stamford Bridge?

• A. A shield wall.
• B. A fighting on horseback charge.
• C. A longbow volley.
• D. A naval assault.

Answer: (A)

The main tactic at Stamford Bridge was a shield wall. This infantry formation involves soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder with their shields overlapped to create a continuous, protective barrier along the front. It concentrates force in a narrow frontage, protects the ranks from enemy blows, and makes it hard for attackers to break through.

Here, that wall of shields let Harold’s troops hold the riverbank and the bridge against Harald Hardrada’s Norse forces. The tight, protected line forced the attackers into a frontal assault and wore them down, giving the English time to recover and counterattack. This approach fits the landscape and the situation far better than any mounted charge, longbow volley, or a naval tactic, which wouldn’t have been practical or effective at that land battle.