Battle of Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
What happened
King Harold Godwinson of England fought King Harald Hardrada of Norway and Tostig Godwinson, Harold's exiled brother. Harald Hardrada invaded northern England with Tostig, beat the northern English earls at Fulford, and took the surrender of York. King Harold marched from London to Yorkshire in four days and surprised the Norwegians, who had left their armour behind at their ships. The Norwegians were surrounded and defeated, and Hardrada and Tostig were both killed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the last great Norwegian invasion of England. Historians often see it as marking the end of the Viking Age.
What came next
Only three days later, William of Normandy landed in the south of England. Harold had to march south again, and he was defeated and killed at Hastings on 14 October 1066.
Did you know?
Before becoming king of Norway, Harald Hardrada had served for years in the Varangian Guard, the emperor's guard in Constantinople, and rose to lead it.
Timeline
- c. 1034Harald joins the Varangian Guard in Constantinople.
- 20 September 1066Hardrada and Tostig defeat the northern earls at Fulford.
- 25 September 1066Harold defeats the Norwegians at Stamford Bridge.
- 28 September 1066William of Normandy lands at Pevensey.
- 14 October 1066Harold is defeated at Hastings.