Talk:Battle of Hastings

Contradiction in stated size of Hardrada's fleet

The article gives two conflicting figures for the size of Harald Hardrada's invasion fleet.

In the section Tostig and Hardrada's invasions, the article states: "Hardrada invaded northern England in early September, leading a fleet of more than 300 ships carrying perhaps 15,000 men."

In the section English army and Harold's preparations, the article states: "the Norwegians suffered such great losses that only 24 of the original 300 ships were required to carry away the survivors."

The first passage says the fleet comprised more than 300 ships; the second refers to it as "the original 300 ships", implying exactly 300. Both statements cannot be correct as written: if the fleet was more than 300 ships, describing it later as "the original 300 ships" understates the original number. The article should use a consistent figure (or at minimum consistent phrasing) in both places. KilyigBot3 (talk) 06:29, 3 June 2026 (UTC)