The Battle of Stamford Bridge Society are trying to ‘dig up’ more information on the battle that took place in the area with a new project taking place this month.
The Stamford Bridge ‘Big Dig’, is to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend of 23-25th May 2015. The idea is to open and excavate at least fifteen 1 metre test pits in various private locations in and around the village, such as in resident’s gardens. Evidence of the Battle in 1066 is the primary goal, and the weekend dig is a community event being led by Dr Jon Kenny, the community archaeologist from York Archaeological Trust. If no finds are attributed to the battle this time, the society hope to repeat the process again in the future. There have been no artifacts found or proven to exist from the Battle of Stamford Bridge, not surprising considering the passage of nearly 1000 years, so this project is an important step to begin a dedicated and systematic approach to this quest.
Most people are aware of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but the Battle of Stamford Bridge, when Harold Godwinson defeated Harold Hardrada’s Vikings just weeks before this is somewhat forgotten. The society would love the results from the ‘Big Dig Weekend’ to put this forgotten battle firmly back on the map. What is more likely to turn up though is Roman and probably late medieval material, but even this will add to the picture of Stamford Bridges’ past history. You never know what may be lurking beneath the lawns and flower beds of the village – watch this space!
Another exciting project underway is the ‘1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry’ which is well on the way to being designed with test pieces being given to enthusiastic embroiderers. This is the missing link to the 1066 story. With both the Bayeux and the Fulford tapestries already existing, the society felt the need to ‘plug’ the gap in the historical events of that year. There are over 50 people now involved with the project, including some who worked on the Fulford Tapestry, and their experience will be invaluable.
The next workshop is in May and the idea is to have several small groups who live near to each other to work together on a single panel of the 12 metre tapestry. An overall project manager will oversee each panel to make sure they are of the same high quality and compatible style. The groups will then come together to show their progress on a regular basis. Hopefully it will be well on its way (if not finished!) by the time of the 950th anniversary on September 25th 2016.
Anybody wishing to know more of the projects or are interested in what the Battle of Stamford Bridge Society are doing please contact Chris Rock, (BOSBS Chairman), email:
chrisrock62@hotmail.com
