THE Vikings are on their way back to Stamford Bridge to re-enact the famous battle of 1066.
History will come alive next week when a longboat full of warriors will row up the River Derwent to the East Yorkshire village and set up camp before facing up to their Saxon foe.
Several days of activity will start when the boatload of Norwegian invaders arrives on Wednesday September 21, at Barmby, downstream of Stamford Bridge, where there will be displays of combat.
There will be another overnight camp and displays at the award-winning Ferryboat Inn on the riverside at Thorganby on Thursday evening.
The boat will then head for Stamford Bridge, arriving on Friday at about 5pm.
The Vikings will be met there by other warriors, and then head for the battle site.
On Saturday, September 24, at the cricket ground, starting at 11am, there will be a Living History encampment where people can watch or take part in how life was lived.
Organisers said warriors would display the weapons they used and show how they fought, while children would be able to join in warrior training and take on the Vikings.
A spokesman said: “People can also make their own Viking coins or try some of the crafts and games.”
The re-enactment follows a similar event last year, which was seen as a great success.
The spokesman said: “This is another chance for people to see history come alive and experience what happened at this Momentous event of 1066.”
The Press reported last year how more than 100 members of the Volsung Vikings recreated the battle, aiming to make the event as true to life as possible.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge preceded the Battle Of Hastings, at which William The Conqueror was victorious, marking the last time a foreign invasion of Britain was successful and changing the course of history.
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