25 September in history: Battle of Stamford Bridge, 1066

Quick answer

On 25 September 1066 King Harold Godwinson of England destroyed a Norwegian invasion at Stamford Bridge, a crossing of the River Derwent about 7 miles east of York. On 20 September Harald Hardrada, king of Norway, and Harold's exiled brother Tostig had beaten the northern earls at Fulford and taken the submission of York. Harold marched north day and night and caught them by surprise, many of the Norwegians without their mail coats. The fighting went on long into the day. Hardrada and Tostig were killed, and the survivors sailed home in a small part of their fleet. While Harold was still in the north, William of Normandy landed in the south.

Battle of Stamford Bridge, 1066: the last Viking invasion

25 September 1066 · 960 years ago

England won the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066. King Harold Godwinson marched north from London at great speed and caught the Norwegian invaders of Harald Hardrada by surprise near York.

Read the full story of Battle of Stamford Bridge, 1066: the last Viking invasion ›

The Battle of Nicopolis, 1396: the last great crusade

25 September 1396 · 630 years ago

Who won at Nicopolis? Bayezid I's Ottomans, on 25 September 1396, destroying King Sigismund's crusader army. Why the knights' uphill charge failed.

Read the full story of The Battle of Nicopolis, 1396: the last great crusade ›

Also on this day

Battle of Hoyerswerda

25 September 1759 · 267 years ago

At Hoyerswerda, Prussian and Austrian troops met in a minor clash of the Seven Years' War. Coming soon after the disaster at Kunersdorf, this small Prussian win, together with another four days earlier, helped restore Frederick the Great's confidence.

1915: the British attacked at Loos on the Western Front and used gas for the first time; in places it blew back over their own troops. They broke into the German positions near Loos and Hulluch on the first day but could not exploit it; the National Army Museum counts over 50,000 British casualties in a battle that lasted until 13 October; Gonville and Caius College gives 61,000 casualties for the battle, nearly 8,000 of them killed outright.¹

Frequently asked questions

When and where was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

It was fought on Monday 25 September 1066 at Stamford Bridge, a crossing of the River Derwent about 7 miles east of York in England.

Who won the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

England. King Harold Godwinson defeated the Norwegian invasion of King Harald Hardrada, who had allied with Harold's exiled brother Tostig. Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed.

How did Harold surprise the Norwegians?

He marched north day and night, reached Tadcaster on 24 September and passed through York the next morning. The Norwegians had gone to Stamford Bridge to receive hostages, and according to Snorri Sturluson many had left their armor behind and a third of the army was with the ships.

How many died at Stamford Bridge?

No count survives. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle speaks of numberless dead on both sides and says the survivors went home in 24 ships; English Heritage gives 20 ships out of the 300 that came.

How is Stamford Bridge connected to the Battle of Hastings?

While Harold was still in the north, William of Normandy landed on the south coast, at Pevensey according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Harold marched south and was defeated and killed at Hastings on 14 October, nineteen days after Stamford Bridge by Kevin B. Reid's reckoning. How much his losses in the north cost him there is still debated.