1066: The Lost Battlefield
New on History Hit
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49m
A major new discovery. For over two years Dan Snow and History Hit have been following a series of fascinating finds of weaponry and Viking era artefacts that reveal tantalising clues about the bloody Battle of Stamford Bridge.
On 25th September 1066 two armies fought a momentous battle on the banks of the River Derwent - a bloody struggle for the throne of England, renowned for acts of deception and heroism. It has been assumed that this happened on the site of the small town of Stamford Bridge, but no evidence has ever been found there. Now new discoveries by metal detectorists point to it happening at an older, Roman bridge site south of the town.
A wealth of military objects, spearheads, parts of swords, mail armour and daggers have emerged from the earth and water to tell a new story of the battle. Nearly 1,000 years after the conflict, this compelling new evidence pinpoints the battlefield approximately one mile from its traditionally accepted location, reshaping our understanding of one of the most pivotal moments in English history.
Harold Godwinson, king of England, decisively won the day at Stamford Bridge, killing the mighty Viking king, Harald Hardrada. It seemed his crown was secure. But then news arrived that Duke WIlliam of Normandy had landed an army on the southern shore of Harold’s kingdom, near Hastings…
Join us on a fascinating exploration into a dramatic moment when history turned on a spearpoint.
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History Hit would like to thank the lead metal detectorists, Simon Richardson and John Benfield, and the Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society and its chair, Brian Birkett. https://www.stamfordbridge1066.org.uk/
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