Battle of Stamford Bridge
1066 CE · England
The Battle of Stamford Bridge was fought in 1066 CE in England between Anglo-Saxon England vs Norway and Northumbrian rebels; decisive English victory; Hardrada and Tostig were killed, three weeks before Hastings.
Battle of Stamford Bridge: quick facts
- Date
- 1066 CE
- Location
- England
- Belligerents
- Anglo-Saxon England vs Norway and Northumbrian rebels
- Commanders
- Harold Godwinson vs Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson
- Result
- decisive English victory; Hardrada and Tostig were killed, three weeks before Hastings.
- Era
- 🏰 Medieval Europe
- Quiz difficulty
- hard
What happened at the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
King Harold Godwinson force-marched his Saxon army north and caught the Viking invasion force of Harald Hardrada and Harold's own brother Tostig completely by surprise at Stamford Bridge. Legend tells of a single giant Viking berserker who held the bridge alone until an Englishman floated under it in a barrel and speared him from below. Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed, ending the Viking Age in England. Just three days later, Harold learned that William of Normandy had landed in the south.
Did you know?
The legendary Viking berserker at Stamford Bridge supposedly held the entire Saxon army at bay on the narrow bridge until an enterprising Englishman floated underneath in a barrel and speared him from below.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Stamford Bridge on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.