The Tapestry Project

The Stamford Bridge Tapestry commemorates the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 25, 1066), when the Saxons defeated the Vikings so comprehensively that almost an entire generation of Viking warriors was wiped out.

If the Saxon troops had not had to fight the Battle of Stamford Bridge, they would almost certainly have been victorious at the Battle of Hastings, less than a month later, and British history would have been very different.

2016 was the 950th anniversary of the battles of Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings. Stitchers in Fulford have already completed the Fulford Tapestry; the Stamford Bridge Tapestry completes the story of these three crucial battles of 1066.

Like the Bayeux Tapestry, our tapestry is actually an embroidery, stitched in wool, on linen - a tapestry is woven. It has been designed in the style of the Bayeux Tapestry by Chris Rock, co-founder of the Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society.

The tapestry has been stitched by a team of volunteers under the direction of Shirley Smith, a professional textile artist and Minster broderer. The intention is for it to become a national heirloom for Britain, in the same way as the Bayeux Tapestry is for France. The tapestry was begun in September 2015, and the final stitches were completed on June 21, 2021.

Useful Links

  • To visit the Tapestry, you can find the details on our Contact Us page.
  • To see the finished panels please visit our Gallery page, or our Flickr group for photos from events.
  • To purchase items bearing images of the tapestry, please visit our Redbubble site.
  • To be kept up-to-date, please see our Facebook page.