Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge, fought on September 25, 1066, marked a significant conflict during a turbulent period in English history, characterized by competing claims to the throne. The battle was primarily between King Harold II Godwinson of England and King Harald III Hardraade of Norway, who was allied with Harold II's exiled brother, Tostig. The Vikings had initially raided the English coast and advanced towards York, expecting support from the city, but faced defeat at the Battle of Fulford Gate. At Stamford Bridge, Harold II's forces launched a surprise attack on the unprepared and lightly armored Vikings. The English troops, consisting mainly of Huscarls and better-armed levies, engaged in fierce combat, ultimately leading to the deaths of both Hardraade and Tostig. This battle is often seen as the end of the Viking Age in England, signifying a shift in power dynamics. However, the victory came at a cost for Harold II, as his weakened army had to confront another formidable foe just nineteen days later at the Battle of Hastings.
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Battle of Stamford Bridge
Type of action: Ground battle in a Viking attack on England
Date: September 25, 1066
Location: Just northeast of York, England
Combatants: About 5,000 Vikings vs. 7,000 Anglo-Saxons
Principal commanders:English, King Harold II Godwinson (1022?-1066); Viking, King Harold III Hardraade, king of Norway (1015–1066)
Result: English surprise attack wiped out the Vikings but weakened Harold II before the Battle of Hastings
Two claimants to the English crown in 1066 were Harold III Hardraade (“Hard Ruler”), king of Norway, and Harold II Godwinson who had been elected king of England. Harold III Hardraade’s ally was Tostig, Harold II’s exiled brother. Harold III Hardraade and Tostig recruited an army of Vikings, then raided the English coast before they marched on York. They expected to find support there, for York had been the center of Viking England. Instead, they were opposed at the Battle of Fulford Gate on September 20. The Viking attack crushed one English flank and overwhelmed the English.
On September 25, Harold III Hardraade left part of his force with his ships and marched to accept York’s surrender. At Stamford Bridge, King Harold II, whose army had force-marched north, surprised him. The Vikings, not expecting battle, were unarmored. The English were primarily Huscarls and better-armed levies. Furious and bloody English attacks goaded Harold III Hardraade into a counterattack that disordered the shield wall, and superior English numbers and armor prevailed. Both Harold III Hardraade and Tostig were killed.
Significance
Stamford Bridge was the final act of the Viking era, for Harold III Hardraade’s was the last major Viking army formed. Harold II’s victory was fleeting, though, for the casualties at Stamford fatally weakened his forces just nineteen days before they had to fight again at Hastings.
Bibliography
DeVries, Kelly. The Norwegian Invasion of England in 1066. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Boydell Press, 1999.
Heath, Ian. The Vikings. London: Osprey, 1985.
Sturluson, Snorri. King Harald’s Saga. New York: Penguin Books, 1976.