Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, the most famous warrior in Europe, had invaded England to take its crown, with the English king's own exiled brother Tostig at his side. Five days earlier they'd won a great victory near York. On this warm morning they've come to collect hostages and left most of their armour at the ships, twelve miles away. Then a cloud of dust rises on the York road, glittering like ice. We stop before the battle. The words are imagined.