Published 23rd Sep 2023, 06:00 BST

Now, to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, a festival is to step back in time to share what life was like in 1066. There are to be living history encampments, weapons demonstrations, weaving, cooking and woodworking, next Saturday, September 30.

The 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society was set up to commemorate the fiercest of almighty battles in the North Yorkshire village on September 25, 1066.

Secretary Jenny Ashby said the significance of that day wasn't only in Viking defeat, but in relation to what happened three weeks later at the famous Battle of Hastings.

September 25th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the last Viking invasion of York. The Stamford Bridge Festival Society are holding a festival on September 30th, with reenactments and battles on its land at the site. Pctured from left, Jenny Ashby, Steve Mercer and Sharon Gilpin.
Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
19th September 2023. — September 25th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the last Viking invasion of York. The Stamford Bridge Festival Society are holding a festival on September 30th, with reenactments and battles on its land at the site. Pctured from left, Jenny Ashby, Steve Mercer and Sharon Gilpin. Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe. 19th September 2023.

"That battle, in October 1066, was the end of 'old England'," she said. "But King Harold was in the wrong place when the Normans landed. He was up here rather than down South. It derailed the English king's campaign. That is important. It's our history, and it changed the country really, from Anglo Saxon to Norman Kings.

"Not a lot of people know about it, and it is nice to have a little bit of pride in that history."

The year 1066 was a "fraught" year in English history, with the death of King Edward to trigger a struggle for succession.

King Harold Godwinson had faced two threats of invasion, believing William the Conqueror would strike first ahead of Norway's King Harald Hardrada with his brother Tostig.

The Stamford Bridge Festival Society are holding a festival on September 30th, with reenactments and battles on its land at the site. Pctured at the battle memorial Steve Mercer.
Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe. — The Stamford Bridge Festival Society are holding a festival on September 30th, with reenactments and battles on its land at the site. Pctured at the battle memorial Steve Mercer. Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

He was wrong, and the Vikings sailed upriver to York for the Battle of Fulford on September 20, retiring to Stamford Bridge after their victory as they awaited their promised hostages. In an "amazing feat" from history, King Harold was to march his armies north, travelling 185 miles over four days.

"The Vikings were resting at Stamford Bridge," explained Ms Ashby. "They didn't think they were under threat. Then they saw this cloud of dust. By the time the English army were upon them, they weren't ready.

"The English streamed across the river and Harald Hardrada was killed by an arrow to the throat. It was a complete defeat of the Vikings.

"There are commemorations at Hastings every year. Our founder members wanted to remember the Battle of Stamford Bridge. It was a significant battle."

September 25th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the last Viking invasion of York.
Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe. — September 25th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the last Viking invasion of York. Photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Next Saturday's festival is to be held on the society's land near the bridge in the village near York. There will be tents with weaving, cooking, and woodworking, and weapons demonstrations in the arena.

There are to be history workshops, local history displays, even an historical tombola. There will also be a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial, as the fallen are remembered.

To find out more visit the society's Facebook page.

Stamford Bridge: How a battle in Yorkshire helped to bring about the end of the Viking age