The battle of Stamford Bridge

• Viking victory


  Immediate danger it posed
• Harold Godwinson's army


  • Around 13 thousand men
  • 3 thousand elite housecarly
• Harold Godwinson's army movement

  1. Marched North

  2. Leaving the south coast undefended
• King Harold led his army, most of whom were on foot, across 185 miles in just four days
• The speed was so quick that Hardrada only knew of Harold's location when he saw them rushing towards their camp
• The unprepared vikings were crushed by the Saxon housecurls
• Both Tostig and Hardrada were killed in the battle
• So many vikings were killed that only 25 ships were needed to transport the survivors home