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The Vikings

Jorvik
Jorvik was the Viking name for the English city of York. York had been founded as the Roman legionary fortress of Eboracum. It was first captured by Danish Vikings in AD 866 and became the capital of a flourishing small kingdom. The area of the palace built by the Viking rulers was known as the Konungsgårthr today known as King's Square(in Danish today, 'Konge' means King and 'gård' is a square or yard). By the end of the first millenium and due to their success, an explosion in trade and their population, Jorvic became the second largest city in England (after London). The Vikings's independence only came to an end with the expansion of Norman rule by William the Conqueror.
In a 5 year period between 1976 to 1981, the York Archaeological Trust conducted an excavation in and around the street of Coppergate, which uncovered well-preserved remains of Jorvik's timber buildings, workshops, fences, animal pens, privies, pits and wells together with artefacts of the time, preserved in anoxic wet clay. The state of preservation of thousands of everyday objects was astonishing: A shoemaker's wooden last and a minter's die for striking coinage were recovered. Their state of preservation was due to the thick dense mud which meant that it was impenetrable to air and decaying bacteria. Wood, leather, textiles, and plant and animal remains, which do not always survive for long periods underground, were recovered in large quantities, supplementing the more durable pottery, metalwork and bones.
Much is made of the Vikings ability and preference to rape and pillage although they were essentially traders and merchants and were not afraid to sail and journey to strike the right deals. As a result, Jorvik's trading connections reached to the Byzantine Empire and beyond: a cap made of silk survives, and coins from Samarkand were familiar enough and respected enough for a counterfeit to have passed in trade. Both these items were famously recovered a millennium later as well as a large human coprolite vulgarly known as the Lloyds Bank turd. Amber from the Baltic is often expected at a Viking site and at Jorvik an impractical and presumably symbolic axehead of amber was found. A cowrie shell indicates contact with the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf. Christian and pagan objects have survived side-by-side, usually taken as a sign that Christians were not in positions of authority.
The York Archaeological Trust took the decision to recreate the excavated part of Jorvik on the site, peopled with figures and sounds as well as pigsties, fish market and latrines to bring it fully to life using innovative interpretative methods. The Jorvik Viking Centre opened in April 1984 and proved to be a major visitor attraction. In 2001, the centre was refurbished and enlarged.

The Battle of Fulford
The battle was fought on 20th September 1066. The Northern earls Morcar of Northumbria and his brother Edwin of Mercia, were desperate to stop King Harald of Norway, known as Harald Hardrada, and Earl Tostig, King Harold of England's disgraced brother securing the city of York. York was then the capital of Northumbria and was considered as a suitable base for the Vikings for their re-conquest of Britain.
At the same time a storm wrecked William the Conqueror’s first invasion attempt, King Harald of Norway had used the prevailing winds to launch an invasion fleet. Harald had sailed to Scarborough and on 15 September, burned the city before sailing down the Humber River, which he reached on 18 September. Sailing up the Humber, then up the river Ouse, he went as far as possible by water, to the village of Riccall, about 12 miles from York.
The Earl of Northumbria, Morcar, as well as his brother, Edwin, Earl of Mercia, were both present in York. They quickly gathered as many troops as they could. This was difficult because much of Northumbria's population was of Viking heritage and would not rally against them.
The Viking army is estimated to be in the region of about 6,000.
As the battle progressed, the Anglo Saxons were overwhelmed and attacked on threes sides and were eventually, roundly beaten by the Vikings
Some tales say that Morcar perished, others thathe escaped in the confusion.
When the battle was over, the way to York was open and terms with the city were agreed. For their part, the Vikings agreed not to loot the city or otherwise damage it. In return, the inhabitants recognised Harald as their king and agreed to assist him against King Harold Godwinson. In fact, King Harald and Earl Tostig went into York themselves to arrange for hostages and provisions.
There was one other condition, and it was to be the most important since it dictated the date and location for the second great battle of 1066. Harald demanded 100 hostages as a guarantee that they would fulfil their commitments; especially that of providing soldiery to assist him in the upcoming struggle with Harold Godwinson, The battle of Fulford Gate and the ensuing terms of York's surrender occurred on Wednesday, 20 September 1066. The date and place for the delivery of the hostages was Sunday, 25 September, at Stamford Bridge – a battle that would play a decisive role in the English history.