The Battle of Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Author: Frank Docherty September 15, 2026 Duration: 7:10

On 25 September 1066, King Harold Godwinson won a crushing Anglo Saxon victory at Stamford Bridge, destroying the invading Norwegian army of Harald Hardrada and Harold’s own brother Tostig just days before the Norman landing at Hastings. 

Harold’s army had marched roughly 185 miles north in under a week, catching the Vikings by surprise as many were camped east of the River Derwent without their armour on a hot day.  

The English surged across (and around) the bridge, broke the Norwegian line, and drove them back toward their ships in a bloody rout in which both Hardrada and Tostig were killed. 

Contemporary chronicles stress the ferocity and the scale of the slaughter, of around 300 ships that had brought the invaders, only about 20 25 were needed to carry the survivors home.  One famous passage even describes a lone Norwegian holding the bridge against the English until he was speared from below, allowing Harold’s men to pour across and finish the battle. 

Stamford Bridge ended the last serious Viking attempt to conquer England and secured the north for Harold but at heavy cost.  



Frank Docherty hosts The Wanderer, a podcast that moves through the deep forests and mead halls of early medieval England. This isn't a dry recitation of dates, but an exploration of how people thought, believed, and told stories. You’ll hear discussions on the foundational myths and local spirits that populated the Anglo-Saxon world, understanding how folklore was woven into daily life. The conversation naturally extends to the complex religious landscape, from the old gods to the coming of Christianity, and how these forces collided and merged. History provides the anchor, examining the society and events that formed the backdrop for everything else. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering layers of a rich tapestry, where a heroic poem, a pagan ritual, and a historical king might all be connected. Each episode aims to make the distant past feel tangible and relevant, exploring the wisdom and the weirdness of a foundational era. The goal is to provide a thoughtful, nuanced perspective that goes beyond the stereotypes, all while appreciating the haunting beauty of the language and ideas left behind. It’s for anyone curious about the roots of stories and the echoes of a world that still subtly shapes our own.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion
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