Sevenoaks Branch Talk: David Clarke on 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate & Stamford Bridge.

This talk reviews the battles and their unforeseen and devastating effect on the events of 1066. With King Harold is down on the South Coast, waiting for an expected invasion by Duke William of Normandy, the north lies unprotected and ripe

for invasion by Harald Hardrada’s Vikings. Such riches, such wealth, such land there for the taking and if the Norwegians get a foothold in England

before William it will be much harder for the Duke to gain complete control over the Kingdom.

On September 9th the invasion fleet assembled at the River Tyne in Northumbria to sail down the coast to the Humber.

Any rumours of civilised Vikings are far from the truth. It is as if the clock has been turned back nearly 300 hundred years as towns south along the Northumbrian coast are sacked and ravaged. Viking by name, Viking by nature as the old saying goes.

Battle lines are drawn, first at Fulford Gate and later at Stamford Bridge, battles that led to the death of Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson

and preceded the Battle of Hastings.

David lives in St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, and walks, talks and writes about walking, local history and all things 1066.

He is the author and creator of 1066 Harold’s Way, a 100mile long distance walk inspired by King Harold’s epic march to the Battle of Hastings, 1066

Doors open 10.45am, meeting starts 11am. 

There is a large public car park (payment required, 50p for 2 hours, £1 for 3 hours) adjacent to the hall but it can be busy.

No booking, just turn up.

The Society is a registered charity and membership fees and donations are an important part of our income. The Talk is free to members but guests and visitors are asked to make a donation towards hall hire and speaker's fee. There will be a donations box at the venue.

But Society membership only costs £10 a year (£12 joint members) https://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/about/membership/our-membership