Stamford Bridge 1066 - Anglo-Saxons vs. Vikings DOCUMENTARY

Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the medieval wars continues with a coverage of the battles Fulford and Stamford Bridge in 1066, as the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada attacks the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Harald II Godwinson. These two battles are considered among the last fought in the Viking age and they gave way to the attack of William of Normandy and the battle of Hastings

More videos on the topic:

Script: Matt Hollis

#Documentary #Fulford #Stamford

[KingsandGenerals]

I'd rather play, but someone should make the videos :-)

[theawesomeman]

A veteran Viking warrior and adventurer, Haralad Hadrada deserves his own HBO mini-series.

[bigMooney]

I love that little story of the unknown viking holding off an entire army on the bridge. Mad shit like that is why I love history.


When that guy died, _that's_ when the age of vikings was over. On the spot. The rest of them just didn't know it yet. Great video guys. 👍

[sbam]

The ramifications of Stamford Bridge were actually huge. The victory was so comprehensive that when Harold let the survivors return home under oath that they and their heirs never return - the oath was actually kept and there was never a major viking campaign against England again. Most historians regard 1066 as the end of the viking age in Europe. In any other year, Stamford Bridge would rank alongside or even above the Battle of Britain (which ended the threat of Nazi Invasion) or Trafalgar (which ended the Napoleonic invasion threat) and Harold Goodwinson would probably be remembered as "the Great" who ended the centuries long threat of Viking invasions for all time. Instead, it's been kind of relegated to a footnote to the "main event" of 1066.

[zakariamussa]

Yes, all this violence was caused by video games btw.

[saltyyf]

1066 is one of those years where when reading the number you instantly know what the discussion is about

[freddiecawston]

So...
Stamford Bridge: The Anglo Saxons feign a retreat. The Norwegians smell blood in the water and abandon the high ground. They are slaughtered to the last man.

Hastings: The Normans feign a retreat. The Anglo Saxons smell blood in the water and abandon the high ground. They are slaughtered to the last man.

I'm sensing a pattern here...

[secretspurs]

Harold Godwinson made the 190 mile march North in an unprecedented 5 days.... he then marched the 190 miles back to London with the core of his weary army in about the same time, took a 2 day rest, and then marched them another 60+miles south to Hastings for their second battle, which he very nearly won. Pretty incredible.

[HaggisOfDeath]

It should be remembered that Hardrada's force contained a good many Varangians with huge military experience. Hardrada's story is honestly fascinating, an exiled prince who goes off to fight for the Emperor of Rome in Constantinople, rises to become the leader of the Varangian guard, wins many battles against arabs, bulgars, pechenegs, and more, and upon seeing his friend the Emperor assassinated; escapes from the Roman world and its cunning Empress with a good deal of those great Varangian warriors who were loyal to him, returns to Norway from his exile and takes what is rightfully his. He then goes over to England and dies.

The extreme experience of both Hadrada and his warriors needs to be stressed though. The fierceness and courage of the Anglo-Saxons is honestly quite amazing, and on paper almost everyone would have fought the Anglo-Saxons would have been destroyed.

[stojanhansen]

The year 1066 could be a damn movie trilogy for real! One movie for each of the claimants to the throne, just saying it would be amazing

[FinalPineappal]

I always considered Harold Godwinson to be a softie compared to the likes of vikings or William the Conqueror, but that line about letting Hardråde have 7 feet of English land was ice cold.

[inquisition_]

That lone norseman at Stamford bridge is an absolute mad lad...

[MalayArcher]

The theme for this week is : Jarls and Huskarls

As always here are the TW: Thrones of Britannia mods that we used in this video:
-Shieldwall overhaul mod
-ReShade - Lux un Umbra preset.

Best wishes,
ڤمنه ملايو

[terraflow__bryanburdo]

So Harold Godwinson went from ending the era of viking invasions with one of the most impressive victories in English history, only to turn and hightail it into history as losing THE pivotal battle in English history to the Normans. Maybe the craziest three weeks in Medieval history.

[StergiosMekras]

"There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen." ...and then there's 2020.

[jonbaxter]

I always imagine two alter-scenarios:

1) Harold Godwinson loses at Stamford Bridge and England is divided in two, the Viking north and the Norman south. How would life and history be different?
2) What if Harold won at Hastings? How would England change. Our language, culture, history, even our first Kings would be different.

Keeps me up at night...

[mandyb]

I always found Stanford to be a boring battle. Way less intriguing than Hastings. This video proved me wrong.

[thanatos]

I'm the descendant of Vikings, Germans, & Anglo Saxons. This history has always been dear to my heart. Thanks for a great video!

[toastedghost]

"Alright lets do this,

"Oh my God he just ran in "

[nisithafernando]

When this happened Hardrada was in his 50s and still fought like a lion.What a warrior.