The Fall Of The Vikings

The death of Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor in 1066 led to a power-struggle for the English crown. The Viking candidate for the throne was Harald Hardrada, king of Norway. He claimed a right to the throne based on an agreement between his father and Hardicanute, Cnut’s son and successor. Although  he was not successful in his campaign for the throne, he still tried to return the crown to Viking succession. He landed in England with 300 Viking longboats which carried over 11,000 warriors. England at the time was vulnerable, as the bulk of their army was down South expecting an invasion from the Normans. After seizing York his army was ambushed at Stamford bridge, by Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinson's army, which had moved surprisingly fast up North to counter this new threat. The Viking army was decimated. Thus the end of the Viking age.