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Time Travels with Truffle: Dateline September 25th, 1066 – Stamford Bridge, England
The chill of early autumn hung over the valley near York, where the River Derwent wound through the fields. On its banks, two armies faced each other — one led by King Harold Godwinson of England, the other by Harald Hardrada, the fierce King of Norway, joined by Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s exiled brother.
Among Harold’s men stood a small reddish orange Pomeranian named Truffle, perched in the crook of the king’s arm as the English host prepared for battle.
After the death of Edward the Confessor, England’s throne was contested by three claimants:
• Harold Godwinson, crowned by the Witan after Edward’s death.
• Harald Hardrada, claiming the throne through an old Viking pact.
• William of Normandy, who would soon cross the Channel.
In September 1066, Hardrada invaded from Norway, landing near Scarborough and marching inland. He crushed the northern earls at Fulford Gate on September 20, forcing York’s surrender.
Harold, learning of the invasion, marched his army nearly 200 miles in just four days — one of the most astonishing forced marches in medieval history. His men arrived exhausted but determined.
Truffle, who had accompanied Harold since his coronation, had become a kind of mascot for the king’s household troops — a symbol of loyalty and courage.
At dawn on September 25, Harold’s army approached the Norwegian camp near Stamford Bridge. Hardrada’s men were resting, expecting negotiations, not battle. Many had left their armor on their ships miles away.
Truffle stirred uneasily in Harold’s arms, growling softly. The king looked down. “Aye, little one,” he said, “you smell blood before we see it.”
Moments later, Harold ordered the attack.
The English charged across the bridge, catching the Norwegians completely off guard.
The fighting was brutal and chaotic. A single Viking berserker held the narrow bridge, swinging his axe and killing dozens of English soldiers. According to legend, he was finally slain by a soldier who floated under the bridge in a barrel and stabbed him from below.
Truffle, carried by Harold’s standard bearer, barked furiously as the English broke through. Her sharp cries cut through the din — a strange, rallying sound that drew the king’s men forward.
Harold’s disciplined shield wall pressed on. Hardrada, struck in the throat by an arrow, fell dead. Tostig took command but was soon killed as well.
By evening, the Norwegian army was shattered. Of the roughly 10,000 Vikings who had come to England, only a few hundred survived to return home.
Harold allowed the survivors to leave peacefully, including Hardrada’s son Olaf, showing mercy rare for the age. But victory came at a cost — Harold’s men were exhausted, and three days later, news arrived that William of Normandy had landed at Pevensey.
Harold was forced to march south again, leading to the fateful Battle of Hastings three weeks later.
Yet at Stamford Bridge, England had witnessed one of its most dramatic triumphs — and Truffle had become part of its legend.
Chroniclers later wrote that the king’s small dog “barked as the thunder of war began, and ceased only when the field was won.”
And once again, History is gently guided by a tiny paw.
