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The Rest Is History1066Apr 9, 2025

555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2)

Summary, books mentioned, source context, and timestamps for 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2) on The Rest Is History.

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the saga of King Harold Adventures in Time King Harold's saga+1 more

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555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2) includes mentions of the saga of King Harold by Snorri Sturluson, Adventures in Time by Dominic Sandbrook, King Harold's saga by Snorri Sturluson, and The Last Viking by Don Holway, with indexed source context and timestamps where available.

the saga of King Harold Adventures in Time King Harold's saga The Last Viking

3 books from this episode

the saga of King Harold

Snorri Sturluson

Indexed context: The host mentions 'the saga of King Harold' as the definitive account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, highlighting its importance in understanding…

Adventures in Time

Dominic Sandbrook

Indexed context: The host mentioned 'Adventures in Time' as it provides a forensic reconstruction of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which is central to the episode's…

King Harold's saga

Snorri Sturluson

Indexed context: The host discusses the vivid storytelling found in 'King Harold's saga' by Snorri Sturluson, particularly in relation to the Battle of Stamford Bridg…

Episode summary

In the tumultuous climax of 1066, why was Harold’s very own brother Tostig the first of the mighty foes he had to face? How did Harald Hardrada then launch his invasion of England, and how much resistance did he initially receive? And, what unfolded at the bloody battle of Stamford Bridge, in which Harold Godwinson and Harald Hardrada, two terrible kings, faced off at long last? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the Battle of Stamford Bridge, the last great clash between vikings and Anglo Saxons, for the English throne… _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude

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the saga of King Harold

Snorri Sturluson

The host mentions 'the saga of King Harold' as the definitive account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, highlighting…

Card

Adventures in Time

Dominic Sandbrook

The host mentioned 'Adventures in Time' as it provides a forensic reconstruction of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, wh…

Card

King Harold's saga

Snorri Sturluson

The host discusses the vivid storytelling found in 'King Harold's saga' by Snorri Sturluson, particularly in relation…

Card

The Last Viking

Don Holway

The host mentions 'The Last Viking' to provide insight into Harold Hardrada's military decisions and the implications…

Card

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

The host mentions the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' as a crucial source that provides a first draft of history regarding th…

Card

Laughing Shall I Die

Tom Shippey

The host mentions Tom Shippey's book 'Laughing Shall I Die' to highlight a scholarly perspective on the plausibility…

Card

The Fellowship of the Ring

J.R.R. Tolkien

The host mentions 'The Fellowship of the Ring' to draw a parallel between the struggle of the Norseman holding the br…

Card

Millennium

Tom Holland

The host mentioned 'Millennium' in relation to its account of the Battle of Hastings, which is relevant to the ongoin…

Card

Book mentions8

Media mentions0

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What is 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2) about?

Summary, books mentioned, source context, and timestamps for 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2) on The Rest Is History.

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What are the main takeaways from 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2)?

These themes are drawn from the indexed episode description and linked mentions for 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2).

The conversation centers on Battle of Stamford Bridge.
A second recurring theme is Harold Hardrada's armor.
Referenced books include the saga of King Harold by Snorri Sturluson and Adventures in Time by Dominic Sandbrook.
Related interests include Listeners interested in medieval history and the Viking Age and History enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battles.

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Which books are mentioned in 555. 1066: Slaughter at Stamford Bridge (Part 2)?

the saga of King Harold by Snorri Sturluson, Adventures in Time by Dominic Sandbrook, and King Harold's saga by Snorri Sturluson are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to source cards and timestamps where available.

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Topics

Battle of Stamford Bridge(4)Harold Hardrada's armor(1)Harold Hardrada's strategy(1)historical battle analysis(1)history of the Vikings(1)

Mention types

Deep Dive(4)Passing Reference(2)Critical Analysis(1)Highly Recommended(1)

Related interests

Listeners interested in medieval history and the Viking AgeHistory enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battlesHistory enthusiasts and students of medieval literatureHistory enthusiasts and scholarshistory enthusiasts and students of Viking cultureHistorians and enthusiasts of Norse literature

Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer source context, and better timestamp support rise first.

the saga of King Harold

Snorri Sturluson

Best for Listeners interested in medieval history and the Viking AgeOften cited around Battle of Stamford Bridge

Indexed context

The saga of King Harold is the definitive account we have of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, written by Snorri Sturluson, a 13th century historian and poet from Iceland.

View mention details

Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: Battle of Stamford Bridge

For: Listeners interested in medieval history and the Viking Age

Indexed context: I mean, really the only choice, except perhaps for a new version, a new account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, because actually that wasn't by Snorri Sturluson at all, was it?

The host mentions 'the saga of King Harold' as the definitive account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, highlighting its importance in understanding this historical event. They emphasize that it is one of the only comprehensive narratives available, making it essential reading for anyone interested in medieval history.

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Adventures in Time

Dominic Sandbrook

Best for History enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battlesOften cited around Battle of Stamford Bridge

Indexed context

The speaker references a passage from 'Adventures in Time' where a character raises a sword and charges into battle, illustrating the imaginative writing of a historian.

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Battle of Stamford Bridge

For: History enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battles

Indexed context: I mean, what else could we possibly have? But that great work by Snorri Sturluson, I mean, really the only choice, except perhaps for a new version, a new account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, because actually that wasn't by Snorri Sturluson at all, was it? It was by you!

The host mentioned 'Adventures in Time' as it provides a forensic reconstruction of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which is central to the episode's discussion. The book serves as a modern account that complements historical narratives, particularly those by Snorri Sturluson.

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King Harold's saga

Snorri Sturluson

Best for History enthusiasts and students of medieval literatureOften cited around Battle of Stamford Bridge

Indexed context

Mentioned in relation to the Battle of Stamford Bridge, highlighting its narrative of knights charging and the chaos of battle.

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Battle of Stamford Bridge

For: History enthusiasts and students of medieval literature

Indexed context: If you read King Harold's saga, Snorri Sturluson, written in the 1230s, there are knights charging, people running away, all kinds of twists and turns.

The host discusses the vivid storytelling found in 'King Harold's saga' by Snorri Sturluson, particularly in relation to the Battle of Stamford Bridge. They highlight how the saga provides a more dramatic and detailed account of the battle compared to other historical sources.

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The Last Viking

Don Holway

Best for History enthusiasts and scholarsOften cited around Harold Hardrada's strategy

Indexed context

Don Holway in his book, The Last Viking, about Harold Hardrada estimates that this would have taken them probably five hours or so.

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Harold Hardrada's strategy

For: History enthusiasts and scholars

Indexed context: Don Holway in his book, The Last Viking, about Harold Hardrada estimates that this would have taken them probably, probably five hours or so.

The host mentions 'The Last Viking' to provide insight into Harold Hardrada's military decisions and the implications of leaving armor behind. This reference highlights the scholarly analysis of Hardrada's actions and the historical context surrounding his defeat.

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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Best for history enthusiasts and students of Viking cultureOften cited around history of the Vikings

Indexed context

Referenced as a source for details about the Battle of Hastings, noted for its lack of detail compared to other accounts.

View mention details

Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: history of the Vikings

For: history enthusiasts and students of Viking culture

Indexed context: the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us that he has retreated from England.

The host mentions the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' as a crucial source that provides a first draft of history regarding the Viking raids in England. This book is highlighted for its role in detailing the events surrounding Harald Hardrada and Tostig's actions during this tumultuous period.

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Laughing Shall I Die

Tom Shippey

Best for Historians and enthusiasts of Norse literatureOften cited around Harold Hardrada's armor

Indexed context

Tom Shippey, great scholar of Norse literature, says in his book, Laughing Shall I Die, that it's just not plausible that Harold Hardrada would have left his armor behind.

View mention details

Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: Harold Hardrada's armor

For: Historians and enthusiasts of Norse literature

Indexed context: Tom Shippey, great scholar of Norse literature, great Tolkien scholar, who says in his book, Laughing Shall I Die, he says, it's just not plausible that Harold Hardrada would have left his armor behind.

The host mentions Tom Shippey's book 'Laughing Shall I Die' to highlight a scholarly perspective on the plausibility of Harold Hardrada leaving his armor behind. Shippey argues that this detail may have been fabricated by saga writers to rationalize Hardrada's defeat.

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The Fellowship of the Ring

J.R.R. Tolkien

Best for Fans of history and literatureOften cited around historical battle analysis

Indexed context

The speaker compares the death of Harold Hardrada to that of Boromir in 'The Fellowship of the Ring', indicating a dramatic and worthy ending.

View mention details

Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: historical battle analysis

For: Fans of history and literature

Indexed context: And then, like, kind of the orcs at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring, they pour across the bridge.

The host mentions 'The Fellowship of the Ring' to draw a parallel between the struggle of the Norseman holding the bridge and the orcs pouring across in Tolkien's narrative. This comparison highlights the dramatic nature of the historical event being discussed.

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Millennium

Tom Holland

Best for History enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battlesOften cited around Battle of Stamford Bridge

Indexed context

The speaker mentions initially including a passage from Millennium, a book that includes an account of the Battle of Hastings.

View mention details

Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: Battle of Stamford Bridge

For: History enthusiasts and readers interested in medieval battles

Indexed context: I initially put a passage from Millennium, my book about, which includes an account of the Battle of Hastings in the front.

The host mentioned 'Millennium' in relation to its account of the Battle of Hastings, which is relevant to the ongoing discussion about the Battle of Stamford Bridge. This reference highlights the interconnectedness of historical narratives surrounding these significant battles.

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Check price

Book picks by email

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the saga of King Harold

The Rest Is History · 2:57

Indexed context: The host mentions 'the saga of King Harold' as the definitive account of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, highlighting its importance in understanding…

Adventures in Time

The Rest Is History · 59:44

Indexed context: The host mentioned 'Adventures in Time' as it provides a forensic reconstruction of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which is central to the episode's…

King Harold's saga

The Rest Is History · 54:00

Indexed context: The host discusses the vivid storytelling found in 'King Harold's saga' by Snorri Sturluson, particularly in relation to the Battle of Stamford Bridg…

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