Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge in England took place on Monday, September 25th, 1066. This was shortly after an invading Norwegian Viking army under King Harald Hardråde had just defeated York.

King Harold Godwinson of England met this army with his own, taking it by surprise after a forced five (?) day march from the south of the kingdom. And so he was able to defeat the Norwegians and kill Harald Hardråde, even though he was out numbered.

Before the battle could start in earnest, the Stamford Bridge had to be crossed, and it was supposedly held by a particularly fearsome Viking. The English finally had to skewer him from underneath the bridge, to make the crossing.

The battle marked the end of full scale invasions of England from Scandinavia, and was the turning point of Viking activity in that area.