Alfred’s victory in this battle was crucial, as it halted the Viking advance in England and secured the future of Wessex. Following the battle, Alfred made a peace treaty with Guthrum, who agreed to convert to Christianity and withdraw from much of southern England, establishing a brief period of peace. However, the Vikings were far from finished.
The Rise of Harald Hardrada: The Last Great Viking King
One of the final acts of Viking domination in England came with the arrival of Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway. Harald, a legendary warrior who had spent much of his life in the service of the Byzantine Empire, had ambitions to claim the English throne. He believed he had a legitimate claim to the throne, based on an agreement between his predecessor, King Magnus the Good of Norway, and King Harthacanute of England.
In 1066, Harald Hardrada launched an invasion of England, landing in the north at the mouth of the River Humber. His army was formidable, and he quickly captured key northern cities, including York. Hardrada’s forces were poised to march south and claim the throne, but the English had one final champion to rise.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge: The End of an Era (1066)
On September 25, 1066, King Harold Godwinson of England, fresh off a victory against another claimant to the throne, King Harald Hadrada, faced his Viking foe at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, just outside York. The battle itself was one of the most famous encounters in English history. Harold Godwinson’s army, still recovering from a grueling march, confronted Hardrada’s forces in a brutal, bloody battle.
The Vikings were caught off guard—many of them were unprepared, having left their armor and horses behind in anticipation of a quick raid. The English forces, though tired and outnumbered, used their superior tactics and close combat skills to defeat the Vikings decisively. Harald Hardrada was killed in battle, and with him, the hopes of Viking domination in England were crushed. The defeat at Stamford Bridge marked the end of the Viking Age in England. shutdown123