September 25th: Today in 1066 Harold Godwinson effectively ended the Viking threat to England at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold Godwinson defeated a viking who could serve a model of a viking stereotype, Harald Hardrada. The battle was suprise to the vikings who thought they were going to be negotiating the ransoms of hostages they had taken at an earlier battle, but instead were faced with a powerful English army. Harold Hardrada died fighting like a true viking and Harold Godwinson was faced with a rapid march south to face another invasion from the Normans.

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