Facts about Battle of Stamford Bridge
- 09
King Harold Godwinson personally led his army from York to Stamford Bridge in approximately four days after learning of the Norwegian invasion on September 20, 1066.
- 08
One unnamed English warrior single-handedly held the narrow bridge at Stamford Bridge against Norwegian forces, reportedly killing multiple attackers before being killed by a spear thrust through a gap in the wooden planks.
- 07
Norwegian survivors of the 1066 battle were permitted to depart England with only 24 ships, a stark reduction from the 300-ship fleet that invaded three weeks earlier.
- 06
Stamford Bridge occurred at a crossing of the River Derwent in Yorkshire where English forces held the narrow bridge against repeated Norwegian assaults on September 25, 1066.
- 05
English forces at Stamford Bridge suffered approximately 3,000 casualties compared to an estimated 9,000 Norwegian losses, representing one of the bloodiest Viking defeats in medieval history.
- 04
Harold Godwinson's army marched approximately 190 miles from Stamford Bridge to Hastings in just three weeks, arriving exhausted for another decisive battle against William the Conqueror.
- 03
Approximately 20 Norwegian ships were destroyed or captured during the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, crippling Scandinavian naval power in England.
- 02
The battle lasted approximately three hours, with King Harald Hardrada of Norway being killed by an arrow to the throat during the final Viking charge.
- 01
In September 1066, King Harold Godwinson's English army defeated Norwegian King Harald Hardrada's invading force of approximately 15,000 warriors at Stamford Bridge.