ORD FRA PRESIDENTEN

This has been a summer of extremes, with the goodtimes and the bad times.

Fjord Horses captured our interest in June, with theexcellent program given by Beth Beymer of Starfire Farm.Members of all ages were delighted to learn how uniquethese animals are.

Our booth at the Victorian Festival showcased ourLodge beautifully. With the Hardanger demonstrators busyat work and the inquisitive patrons, Sons of Norway waswell presented. The patrons especially loved the drawingfor the Norwegian chocolate, which was announced everyhour. Thank you to all who helped.

Stein Fjell's participation in the Scandinavian Fest wasonce again outstanding. Our Lodge gives a huge thank youto Becky Holm-Johansen for her many years as organizerfor this event. She and Jon-Eirik have done a marvelousjob of pulling all the ends together, doing all the shopping,and directing the different aspects of the event.

We look forward to a Fall of good programs, withDiane Molter presenting Norse Gods in September andBunad showing and telling in October, followed by ourfamous Lutefisk Dinner on October 15 . (Reminder – theth

September meeting is the Thursday BEFORE Labor Day.)You have all received the Kretsstevne flyers and

agenda by e-mail or snail mail this Summer. The deadlinefor replies is Sept. 6 . We hope some Stein Fjell membersth

will be able to attend "The Gathering of the Clan."The bad times were exemplified in the horrible

massacre in Norway. The whole world mourned withNorway. We thank Bev King, Crystal Sundet, and LyleBerge for organizing the memorial service recognizingthose killed in the tragedy.

On the home front, Stein Fjell mourns the loss of GerryBenson at 96 years. He was a charter member and we willdeeply miss him.

Fraternally,Marian Erdal

KULTUR HJØRNE (CULTURE CORNER)Nancy L. Dunn, Cultural Director

Velkommen everyone back from a great Summer!! Thecultural program for September is Norse Gods, presentedby Diane Molter fromTrollheim Lodge inDenver. She puts on a veryexciting show about themythology and legends ofour ancestors. Please comeand enjoy this program.

Our Lodge is stillplanning on a field trip toStarfire Farm, with itsFjord Horses, probably inlate September or October.Beth and Sandy are verybusy but will let us knowwhen we may visit. Bethplans to put on a short"show" for us at their farmwith their Fjord Horses.We are all "chomping atthe bit" for this!! We will let everyone know as soon aspossible when the date is set.

Please plan to join the Board members at Mimi's inLoveland (Hwy 34) for dinner at 6:00 p.m. (own treat) andthen the meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 15 . Weth

plan to talk about a lot of NEW ideas in store for SteinFjell!! Everyone is VELKOMMEN!!

� � � � � � � � � � � � �STEIN FJELL CONTACTS 2011

President: Marian Erdal – 970.225.9035Vice President: Rod Skaflen – 970.484.5459Secretary: Roxanne Storlie – 970.412.5713

Editors: Marianne, Bill Nesse – 970.330.7183posteneditor@gmail.com

“Thor the Thunder God” byArthur Rackham, 1910

2

SEPTEMBER KALENDER

1: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m., Harvest Potluck Supper,Diane Molter – Norse Gods, Silent Auction

3-5: N. California Kretsstevne, Camp Norge. Information

and Registration Form: www.campnorge.com

5: Labor Day, USA

6: RSVP Due, Kretsstevne

9-10: Historic Fort Grand Opening, Fort Lupton (p. 5)

11: Fjellheim’s 38 Anniversary Luncheon, 1 p.m. – th

Chicken, Meatballs, Potatoes, Vegetables, Salad,Dessert. $10/person. Reservations: call Lois Halvorson719.632.6003. Viking Hall, 1045 Ford St., C. Springs

15: Board Meeting, 6 p.m. – dinner, own treat; 7 p.m. –meeting. Mimis Café, 1450 Fall River Drive, LovelandHosts: Nancy Dunn and Richard Linsenmann

16-18: Zone 8 Kretsstevne, Green Mountain Falls

17: Birkebeinerløpet 2011, one of the most famousrunning races in Norway – 8000 runners, 21 km-longcourse passing through mountains and forest terrain.

20: Posten Submission Deadline

22: Room Reservations Due, Scandinavian Ball

23: Vesterheim’s Viking Feast, 6 p.m. (p. 9)

27-Oct. 1: Norsk Høstfest 2011, Minot, NDwww.hostfest.com /701.852.2368/hostfest@minot.comHotels, RV Camping, Private Homes (701.857.0500)

29: Mikkelsmesse (Michael’s Mass)Fårikålens Festdag (Lamb and Cabbage Stew Day)In the early 1970s Fårikål was declared Norway’sfavorite national dish. It isserved very hot on hot plates,with plain boiled potatoes,and cold beer and Linieaquavit. Learn more atNorway.com or Farikal.no.

SAVE THE DATE: OKTOBER

6: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m., New Member Welcome15: Stein Fjell Lutefisk Dinner, Greeley (p. 8)22: Scandinavian Ball, Doubletree Hotel, Denver (p. 9)

MEETING REMINDERS FROM RASRas Erdal, Stein Fjell Host Coordinator

Our next Lodge meeting is on Thursday, September 1 .st

We will have our “Harvest Potluck Supper.” (Don’t forgetto also bring your service items.) Diane Molter fromTrollheim will present a program on Norse Gods.

Our Refreshment Hosts are: Grace Noteboom (chair), Kirsten Gjelde-Bennett, Joann Harris, and RickBilstad.

Looking to October... The Refreshment Hosts for the October 6 Lodge meeting are: Kris Bakich (chair), th

Wilma Gullickson, Karen Johnson, Eunice Michalka,Roxanne Storlie, and Susan Zook.

Vær så god...

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

We must form a nominating committee in September.Please volunteer to be on this committee of three members.There will be a list on the officers’ table, and if you wouldlike to stay in your present position, please indicate thatand save the committee a phone call. Stein Fjell has areputation of having many workers, so let’s not leave anypositions open.

3

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

FROM KILDEN (THE SOURCE) by Gabriel ScottRead by Patty Breien, Stein Fjell Chaplain,

at Gerald Benson’s Memorial

Et menneske kommer til verden – en ånd daler ned påjorden, den roter en støvsky opp omkring seg, tar støvet påog sleper det rundt. Når dens tid her nede er omme, leggerden atter støvet av og vender tilbake i det eviges favn.

A person enters this world - a spirit descends to earth,kicks up a cloud of dust around itself, wraps itself in thatdust and drags it around. When its time on earth is over, itsheds its dust and returns to the embrace of the eternal one.

GERRY BENSON – IN MEMORIAM

Gerald “Gerry” Philip Benson, 96, passed away onJuly 8 . He was a charter member and golden member ofth

Stein Fjell Lodge. Some of the positions Gerry held weregreeter, trustee, and president (1985-86). In 1990 Gerryreceived our highest honor, Viking of the Year.

Born on November 3, 1914in Cottonwood County, MN toPetra and Ben Benson, Gerrywas the fifth of six children. Hemarried Gladys Irene Berg onMarch 28, 1942 in Minneapolis.

Graduating from LambertonHigh School in 1932, Gerryreceived his degree in Biologyand History in 1939 fromAugsburg College, Minneapolis;his Master’s in Educational Psychology, Counseling, andGuidance from the Univ. of Minnesota in 1949, and hisDoctorate in Education from the Univ. of Colorado in1956. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps duringWorld War II, receiving a Bronze Star and other medals.

Gerry’s dogged determination to get an educationduring the years of the Great Depression was remarkable.As a youngster he and his next older brother, Stan, spent16 hours a day at work and at school, a schedulecharacteristic of Gerry’s educational years throughout highschool, college, and graduate school. He continued hispattern of hard work and dedication throughout his life.

He began as a teacher in a one-room school, then was ahigh school teacher and principal. He taught at WesternState College in Gunnison (1949-1959) and Colorado StateUniversity (1959-1982). He kept up with research inpsychology and education even after he retired, and was afrequent contributor of “Soapboxes” for the Fort CollinsColoradoan up until the end of his life.

A major contributor to the life of the Ft. Collinscommunity, Gerry was a founder of Foothills GatewayRehabilitation Center in addition to its predecessor, andwas involved with them for 24 years. He spent countlesshours as a Poudre R-1 school district volunteer and helpedstart their Head Start program. He was one of the foundersof Ft. Collins Read Aloud, promoting early childhoodliteracy. He was a very active supporter of Trinity LutheranChurch and the Sons of Norway.

Survivors include three children – Janet Manning(Robert), Katherine, and Philip, six grandchildren – Becky,Rob, Heather, Kate, Sage, and David, and five great-grandchildren. Condolence messages may be sent to JanetManning, 2395 S. Columbine St., Denver, CO 80210-5421.

Services were held July 12 in Ft. Collins. In lieu ofth

flowers, donations in his memory may be made to TrinityLutheran Church, Foothills Gateway Rehabilitation Center,or Reach Out and Read Colorado.

Rose placed at bombed-building site, Oslo(Photo courtesy of Veslemøy Arsky)

Memorial, Oslo (Photo courtesy of Veslemøy Arsky)

4

DITT OG DATT (THIS ‘N’ THAT)

i Jane Robbins is recuperating from her recent surgeryand will be rehabilitating for awhile. Send cards to:3028 Butternut Drive, Loveland CO 80538-2614.

i Congratulations to Roxanne Storlie on the July 16th

marriage of her daughter, Karin Collins, to MatthewJackson in Paso Robles, CA. Roxanne and her Momdrove out for the wedding, creating a wonderfulmemory.

i From Kira Wright, Stein Fjell Scholarship recipient:

Dear Sons of Norway Stein Fjell Lodge,

Thank you so much for the $500 Scholarship. I justsigned up for the Fall semester at Colorado MountainCollege in Steamboat Springs. I am excited to begin mycollege education while pursuing my skiing goals. I will beliving in Steamboat Springs and training with theSteamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, founded byNorwegian skier Carl Howelsen.

Thanks for helping me out! Kira Wright

i Lost: Marilynn Loustalet is missing a silver pie serverfrom the June Lodge meeting. Please let her know ifyou know its whereabouts – 970.330.7843.

i and Found: Marian Erdal has a silver butter knifethat was left at the lodge. It has three roses on the endof the handle – 970.225.9035.

GRATULERER MED DAGEN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

01 Becky Holm-Johansen 21 Emily Strand 03 Mike Erickson 23 Even Reichel 04 Patrick Sikes 24 Janice Henry 06 Eunice Michalka 25 Brian Leeson 11 Meghan Bothwell 26 Nina Johnson 14 Kaitlyn Parkos 29 Andrew Bothwell 15 Helen Ramirez 29 Lynne Rosenthal 16 LaRue Hansen (FB Counselor)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =Lørdagsbarnetimen (The Saturday Children’s Hour),

produced by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation(NRK), has beenbroadcast – a forcedinterruption in WW IIaside – since Decem-ber 20, 1924, makingit the world's oldestradio program still onthe air.

REGARDING CULTURAL SKILLSRas Erdal, Cultural Skills Director

Hardangersøm (Hardanger embroidery): The class

has been meeting at the Erdal home on Friday evenings,roughly every two weeks. Weare at all levels. Anyoneinterested in starting a Hardangerproject should contact MidgeParkos or me. We can easily getyou started. Beginners and “Pros”are all welcome. You must,however, be able to count threadsand refrain from screaming.

Cooking: Members are atdifferent levels preparing different foods at different times.If you see “Taster Comments” slips at meetings... please besure to fill one out if you consume their delicacy.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Financial Counselor Larue Hansen lhanson1@q.com

BENNETT, Paul 970.215.7216

CLITHERO, Joe 970.405.7276 (c) (Add to Betty’s entry)

FRETHEIM, Harlan 1100 Taft Avenue, Unit 17970.581.2604 (c) Loveland CO 80537-4559

GJELDE-BENNETT, Kaja Nan 970.215.7216

GJELDE-BENNETT, Kirsten 970.215.7216

LARSEN, Rosalind 3902 Galileo Drive, Unit CFort Collins CO 80528-3213rosalind.larsen@gmail.com

ROBBINS, Jane 3028 Butternut Drive253.507.3513 (c) Loveland CO 80538-2614

SCHMIDT, Mickey 4620 W 4 Street, Unit 26th

Greeley CO 80634-1037

SUTTON, Jerad 823 E. 8 Avenue, Apt. 4th

Fort Morgan CO 80701-3648

WRIGHT, Kira kmwskier12@live.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * *Please respect members’ privacy.

Names, Phone Numbers, and Addresses must not beredistributed, or used for commercial purposes.

5

HISTORIC FORT GRAND OPENINGFriday and Saturday, September 9 and 10 th th

Attend the Historic Fort Grand Opening on September9 at 5:45 p.m., and enjoy birthday cake, plus fireworks atth

sundown! Speeches will be given by dignitaries, includingJohn Everson, who has, along with other volunteers, putmuch time and effort into building the fort. Come back onSaturday, the10 , for a 7 a.m.th

pancake break-fast at the FireStation and a“Settlers’ Heri-tage” parade at10 a.m. Otheractivities includefood, games,music, and booths at Fort Lupton Recreation center, aTrapper Days Rendezvous, plus tours and activities at theHistoric Fort and Park. Located along the South PlatteRiver just north of Fort Lupton, the Park and Rendezvoussite is approximately one-half mile west of Highway 85 onCounty Road 14½. Info.: Call the Visitor Center (Tues. -Sat., 12 - 4 p.m.) at 303.857.1710 or go to www.spvhs.org.

4 ANNUAL PARKING RATE SURVEYTH

www.colliers.com

Colliers International collected parking data at centralbusiness districts during June 2011 – worth noting if you’retraveling! The cheapest? Jakarta, Indonesia ($0.92 per day). Monthly Rates Global Monthly Rates USA1. London, City $1084 1. NY, Midtown $5412. London, W. End $1014 2. NY, Downtown $5333. Zurich $822 3. Boston $4384. Hong Kong $745 4. San Francisco $3755. Tokyo $744 5. Philadelphia $30410. Oslo $612 6. Seattle $29416. Stockholm $546 15. Denver $175(50+) Helsinki $43 49. Reno (last) $45

Daily Rates Global Daily Rates USA1. Oslo $89 1. NY, Midtown $412. Copenhagen $73 2. Honolulu $383. Melbourne $70 3. Boston $344. Sydney $67 4. Chicago $325. London, City $66 5. L.A. and NY, Dwntn $3012. Helsinki $46 17. Denver $1628. Stockholm $32 47. Memphis (last) $4

Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Á Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç Ç

VICTORIAN FESTIVALJune 12 th

Library Park, Fort Collins

Photos Courtesy of Rasmus Erdal

MidgeBill N., Marian, Rod, and Jodi

Marian and RodRoxanne

L-R: Stephanie (Allie’s friend),Marian, and Allie Everson

6

SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL 2011 . . .

Kari and Don

Tent crew

Mike B. getting Trollheim’s tent

Vigdis buttering lefse

Dick P. cooking korv

Bonnie preparing lefse

Nancy and Terry

Jane R. and Jon-Eirik

Inger and JohnRosalind and Keith

Joann H. bagging lefse

Butikken

Rod, snow cone kingBill N., Midge, and Sandy B.

Kristi and Nissa

7

. . . JUST SOME OF OUR WORKERSJUNE 25 and 26th th

BOND PARK, ESTES PARK

All Photos Courtesy of Rasmus Erdal

È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È Dear Stein Fjell Members,

Thank you so much for making this year’s Scandinavian Festival a huge success! The new park design was beautifulbut it added a few challenges with set up. However, with our Can Do Spirit, we prevailed! We had 65 members, family,and friends involved in the baking, transporting, and working at the event. Also, a huge thanks to Dick Peterson fordonating his camper/trailer for us to use for transporting all the goods. As Kathy said, “This event brings everyonetogether!” Tusen Takk to all the bakers and workers who have taken their time to make this event happen.

Each year brings challenges, but with those challenges, opportunity prevails. Next year we will be looking for a neworganizer for the festival as I will be able to help, but will not be able to head the event. Ras and Marian will not be herefor the event next year either and will not be able to do the ordering, organizing, and hauling. So we are looking for acommittee to coordinate the event. Since this has become a well-oiled machine, it is not too hard and we have all the listsmade with all quantities to purchase, etc. A date for a committee meeting will be set at the next Lodge meeting.

Thank you, Ras and Marian, for having done so much for so many years! We are honored to have you in our Lodge!

Sincerely,Becky Holm-Johansen

È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È È

Marian, Susan,Marianne, and Patty Ruth D. and Barb

Wilma and Vicki

Jodi and Jerad

Paula and Lyn fillingorders

Terry the iceman makingsnow cones

Marian and Inger F.Becky and Jon-EirikOur Booth, with the last crew to work on Sunday

8

9

VESTERHEIM’S VIKING FEASTSeptember 23 , 6 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church,rd

Baseline & Inca Parkway, Boulder

In celebration of Leif ErikssonDay, Vesterheim Lodge is holding aViking Feast at 6 p.m. on Friday,September 23 , at Atonementrd

Lutheran Church. They are having apotluck with “authentic” Vikingdishes. Viking costumes are welcome,and the evening will feature LodinMycklebust and Friends.

Call Addy Martinez at303.499.5589 if you need a recipe, or go to http://nvg.org.au/documents/other/vikingrecipes.pdf for an extensive listof recipes. To keep the ambience, period-appropriateserving dishes are wood, brass, copper, and pewter. Simpleceramics are acceptable. NO plastic, please.

28 ANNUAL SCANDINAVIAN BALLth

Saturday, October 225 p.m. Cash Bar, 6:30 p.m. Flag Ceremony and Dinner

Doubletree Hotel (Quebec and MLK Blvd), DenverSemi-Formal or National Costume

The Scandinavian Cultural Society of Colorado invitesyou to its annual Ball on October 22 . Entertainment andnd

dancing includes The Nacho Men, plus Trolls, Swedishfolk music, nyckelharpa, and fiddles. The Society is raisingawareness and supporting the Rocky Mountain MS Centerof Colorado. A donation on a separate check would beappreciated and is 100% tax-deductible.

Dinner includes chef’s salad, seasonal vegetables,roasted potatoes, roast pork loin OR poached salmon ORvegetable wellington, freshly baked rolls, Swedish applecake with vanilla sauce, coffee, and tea.

Cost is $50 per person; $35 students (with high schoolor college ID). Vodka toast is $5 (must be 21). Doubletreespecial room rate for two: $84, or $94 with breakfast (plusfees, taxes; reserve room at 303.329.5290 by Sept, 22).

Information: bstrook@hotmail.com, Karin Strook(303.979.4254). Send check payable to ScandinavianCultural Society, Inc. with reservation form* (print out atwww.sonsofnorwaycs.com/pdf-files/scandinavian+ball+2011.pdf) and SASE to: Karin Strook, 12363 W. SaratogaAvenue, Morrison, CO 80465-1816. Must be postmarkedby October 10 (call for availability after that date). Ballth

reservations received by October 3 qualify for a drawingrd

(complimentary room on October 22 ).nd

*Can’t download? Reservation form includes: Names,Address, Phone(s), e-mail, # for each Entree choice, plus #@ $50, # @ $35, # toasts @ $5, and TOTAL $. IndicateTable and Number: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,Sweden, as well as High School, College, Parents.

SPORTS AND FITNESS MEDAL RE-DESIGNED

The latest re-designed addition to the SON SportsMedal Program is the Idrettsmerke for sports and fitness. No matter what your age or ability, you can enjoy the Norwegian tradition of friluftsliv (outdoor life/recreation). Just choose an activity – either cycling, skiing, sports and fitness, swimming, or walking – and begin! To record your activity, get a cardfrom Sports Director Jon-Eirik Holm-Johansen or print oneat www.sofn.com. When complete, submit it to Jon-Eirikand receive a merke for your accomplishment.

ARE FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIESSTILL RELEVANT?

LaRue Hanson, Financial Benefits Counselor

A recent article in a life insurance journal, written byJoseph J. Annotti, discussed fraternal organizations. I feelthat our members could use a reminder on what makes usunique.

Fraternals, created over 100 years ago, were originallymeant to help America’s large number of immigrants unitethrough their common bond. In Sons of Norway’s case thiswas ethnicity. They were to solve common problems, thebiggest one being helping families financially if the breadwinner died.

Over time, fraternals evolved. Members became moresuccessful and grew into the nation’s middle class. Todaythe need to take care of our own has broadened and theover 9 million SON members are some of the bestvolunteer networkers in the country. Yearly, 91 millionvolunteer hours and $400 million go to help localcommunities and people through community-serviceprojects.

The increasing role fraternals play in providing lifeinsurance, annuities, and other financialbenefits to their members (to the tuneof $363 billion) still harkens back to theearly mission of taking care of eachother. The fraternal bonds are stillstrong and very relevant in today’sAmerica. We can be proud to be part ofSons of Norway and continue on in thedreams and goals of our immigrantancestors.

lhanson1@q.com - 718.599.8546(w) -719.237.7314(c)2523 Shalimar Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80915-1030

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =Jeg er ikke overtroisk. Jeg er redd det bringer ulykke.

I am not superstitious. I am afraid it will bring misfortune.

10

THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGEBill Nesse

The village of Stamford Bridge is about 10 miles eastof York in north-central England. In 1066, there was novillage, just a wooden bridge that spanned the RiverDerwent at the site of a rocky ford originally used by theRomans (Stamford = stone + ford).

It is at Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066 thatone of the most important battles ever fought for thecontrol of England occurred. To understand why this is so,it is necessary to set the historical stage with a brief reviewof the history of York.

York was originally settled in 71 a.d. by the Romans,who called the city Eboracum. They controlled the area,and much of England south of Hadrian’s Wall, until thecollapse of the Roman Empire in the fifth century. Fromthen until the middle of the 9 century, York remainedth

under English control, with the notable introduction ofChristianity by Pope Gregory, begun in 601.

English control ended with the arrival of Vikings in866. A force from Denmark, under the command ofHalfdan and Ivar the Boneless, first captured York onNovember 1 . They, and other Vikings, subsequentlyst

conquered large parts of England, leading to a treaty withKing Alfred of Essex in 878 that established the Vikingkingdom of Danelaw. The Vikings changed the name to

Jorvik (which laterevolved into York) andestablished it as anagricultural andcommercial center. Overthe next 200 years controlof the area changedbetween the English andVikings as a consequenceof conquest and marriage.To complicate matters,the English throne wasoccupied by the Danishking during part of thistime. Finally, in 1043King Edward theConfessor of Englandgained control of the area.

With Edward’s deathin January 1066, a great

succession scramble ensued. In England, HaroldGodwinson maneuvered himself onto the throne to replaceEdward. Harold’s older brother, Tostig Godwinson, hadbeen exiled to Flanders in 1065, but felt himself to be therightful king. The King of Norway, Harald Hardrada(meaning “stern counsel” or “hard ruler”) also wanted thethrone, as did William, Duke of Normandy (who hadViking roots too, but that’s another story).

In the late summer of 1066, ~15,000 invaders, led byHarald Hardrada, sailed up theHumber estuary to the city ofRiccall on the River Ouse,where they left their 300 boats.They were joined by additionalforces, recruited by TostigGodwinson in Flanders. Thecombined forces burnedScarborough and advanced onYork, where they were met bythe local contingent of theEnglish army. The Englishwere defeated in the Battle ofFulford on September 20 . The invaders briefly occupiedth

York,obtainedsupplies,and thenreturned totheir shipsat Riccall.They alsodemandedadditionalhostagesandsupplies tobedeliveredat

Stamford Bridge, on the River Derwent east of York, onSeptember 25 . th

While this was going on,Harold Godwinson was insouthern England, preparingfor an anticipated invasion byWilliam, Duke of Normandy.When Harold received newsof the Viking invasion, hemarched his ~15,000 troops adistance of 185 miles in onlyfour days, passing throughYork, and reached StamfordBridge on September 25 .th

They immediately engaged the invaders. The Norwegian and Flemish forces were at a distinct

disadvantage. They were caught by surprise, and theirforces were split between the west and east sides of theriver. They had also left their armor back at Riccall, owingto the unseasonable heat and the belief that they hadalready defeated the English army. The smaller Vikingforce on the west side of the river was quickly overrun andsurvivors fled across the bridge to the east side, followedby the English forces.

England as of 878.Danelaw was Viking-controlled

Harald Hardrada

Harold Godwinson

11

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, a Norseaxeman halted the English advance across the bridge,slaying 40 Englishmen before he was killed by an Englishsoldier, who floated under the bridge in a half-barrel andthrust his spear up through the planks of the bridge.Whether for this reason, or just because the bridge wasnarrow, the English were slow to cross the river, allowingthe invaders to set up a defensive formation on high groundon the east side of the river.

Eventually, Harold’s army crossed the river, formedinto a battle line, and charged the invaders. Had theNorwegians and Flemish had their armor, they might haveprevailed, but without it, they were no match for Harold’sarmy, even when reinforced by troops who had been leftbehind to guard the ships at Riccall. In the end, bothHarald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson were killed, aswas much of the invading force. A truce was accepted andthe invaders were allowed to leave, after giving pledges not

to attack England again. Viking losses were so great thatonly 24 of the original 300 ships were required to carry thesurvivors away.

While additional Viking raids into England did occur,the Battle of Stamford Bridge is usually taken as the end ofthe Viking era in England. However, this is not the battle’sreal historical significance. Three days later, William,Duke of Normandy, landed on the southern coast ofEngland in his attempt to claim the throne. HaroldGodwinson now had to rush his forces south to meet thenew invasion. When he met William at Hastings onOctober 14 , his forces were battered, depleted, and weary,th

and ultimately fell to William’s fresh forces. The Normaninvasion of England, which profoundly set the course of

English history and reshapedthe English language,probably owes its success tothe unsuccessful invasion ofEngland by Harald Hardrada.

It is interesting tospeculate that, had Haraldand Tostig delayed theirinvasion by a few weeks, sothat Harold Godwinson hadto face William’s invasionfirst, the results might havebeen very, very different andWilliam might not now beknown as “the Conqueror.”

Sources: Wikipedia,www.historyofyork.org.uk,www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23019(British History Online), Dr.Ken Pennington of AmericanCatholic University.Battle of Stamford Bridge by Peter Nicolai Arbo, 1870,

depicting King Harald Hardrada (in blue) hit in the neck by an arrow.

This plaque is in the village of Stamford Bridge.