Fighting across the bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge was a face-off between a Harold and a Harald

A painting of the Battle of Stamford Bridge by Peter Nicolai Arbo, depicting King Harald Hadrada getting hit in the neck by an arrow.

Last week, a retired businessman trying his luck at treasure hunting in Scotland, hit jackpot and unearthed a Viking treasure haul.

A mention of Vikings conjures up images of the characters in the Asterix series, the brave sea warriors who don’t understand the concept of fear.

Originating from the modern day Scandinavian nations of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the Vikings travelled around northern and central Europe, acquiring wealth through their raids as they went along.

England was not spared, and the Viking Age is thought to extend between the early raids in the 790s and 1066 when it came to an end. The Battle of Stamford Bridge, fought on September 25, 1066 is often considered the battle which brought the Age to a close.

King Harold Godwinson, the newly crowned king of England, had a tumultuous start to his reign, when he had to fight off the invasion attempts of King Harald Hadrada, of Norway.

Why was it fought?

The death of the English king Edward the Confessor early in 1066 caused chaos in the nation, as there was no direct heir. There were several claimants to the throne, but Harold of Wessex was crowned. Two of the other contenders were William of Normandy, and Harald of Norway.

The Viking ruler was encouraged by Harold’s younger brother Tostig, to invade England and stake his claim. Tostig was at odds with his brother, and wanted to dethrone him.

The days of battle

With a formidable force of over 10000 troops, the Norwegian king landed at the Yorkshire town of Ricall.

Before Harold with his army could reach the spot, the earls who were loyal to the English king arrived there, but were vanquished by Harald’s forces.

Stamford Bridge, a small village on the banks of the river Derwent in Yorkshire, was selected as the spot to exchange hostages captured, and the Vikings set up camp there.

Exuberant after their victory, the troops were unwinding, when a surprise attack was launched by King Harold’s men. The English troops had travelled at a terrific pace to reach the location, and took the Vikings by surprise.

The men at the outposts tried their best to hold off the English forces, and give their men time to get ready. A Viking legend tells the tale of a lone warrior who single-handedly defended the bridge across the river, and was finally toppled by a spear attack.  

The English forces tore into the military formations mobilised by the Norwegians during a horrific period of fighting.

King Harald was slain, and Tostig who tried to regroup the forces, also met his end.

The Vikings fled the battlefield and were pursued all the way till Ricall, where the surviving troops left to go back home.

It was a major victory for King Harold, but the forces were severely depleted. He was to head back to battle shortly to defend his crown from King William of Normandy, in the Battle of Hastings.