The Battle of Stamford Bridge was fought in September 1066 between the forces of Norwegian King Harald Hardrada and English King Harold Godwineson. It should have been remembered as one of the major battles in English history, but it completely overshadowed by the Battle of Hastings which occurred soon after and allowed the Norman Conquest. Nevertheless, Stamford Bridge marks the end of a remarkable career for Hardrada.

Preceding Invasion and Battle

The Battle of Stamford Bridge was the second of three key battles fought in 1066 over the English throne. A few days before Stamford the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada had invaded England to claim the crown, assisted by the English rebel Tostig, a former earl and brother of the current king. They had landed, defeated two earls at the Battle of Fulford Gate, and seized York. The plan was to move to Stamford Bridge to supply their troops. At the same time King Harold of England had force marched his army up from the south, where it had been waiting for another invader / claimant, William of Normandy.

Hardrada’s Mistake

On the morning of September 25th, when Harald Hardrada moved out to Stamford Bridge, he decided to leave much of his equipment, including arms and armour, and maybe as much as two thirds of his army, on ships which would sail round. Hardrada then set off with this smaller force to march overland. King Harold reached York the same morning, seemingly without any warning being taken to the invaders.

Harold decided to strike at Hardrada’s smaller force immediately.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

The invaders were surprised, possibly only realising King Harold was approaching when they saw clouds of dust and masses of armed men coming their way. They sent riders to get help, and while there may have been some discussion about whether to fight or to retreat to find the rest of the force, in the end Hardrada’s troops formed up for battle. There are stories claiming there was a meeting between Hardrada, Tostig and King Harold before the battle, where Tostig refused to betray Hardrada at this late stage to rejoin Harold, but they also claim Tostig told Hardrada he would never kill his own brother.
Either way, battle began as the English tried to seize the actual Stamford Bridge, which the Norse tried to hold. Stories claim, perhaps romantically, that one large Scandinavian blocked the bridge and killed many English, until one floated down the river and stabbed a spear up through the wooden slats, killing the warrior. The English were definitely delayed, but eventually got past and swarmed over. The Norse may have made almost a complete circle out of their ranks in order to avoid being flanked. However, with the Norse lacking armour and many weapons, a slaughter ensued, and Harald Hardrada was killed, possibly to an arrow through the windpipe. This would not be the last royal death to an arrow claimed in associated with 1066.

There was a lull, and although Harold offered terms to the invading army, this was refused and the fight continued, until Tostig and thousands of others were dead. This was not the end however, as the aid Hardrada had called for had come off their ships and arrived at the battlefield, now with arms and armour. They decided to fight, and the battle continued until dark with the fresh attackers pressing the tired English hard, but after more commanders had died the English held the field and the remaining Norse agreed to terms; they were eventually allowed to sail away.

The death toll among the English was large, and among the Norse even worse: it’s been said that their home countries took years to recover from losing so many troops. But Harold’s kingdom was not safe, as William of Normandy had landed. The Battle of Hastings was coming.