EXCLUSIVE: HALLS of Ripon detectorist Simon says the Bayeux Tapestry was a medieval stitch up
The Bayeux Tapestry will be catching the eye of millions at the British Museum between now and next July, but it has one glaring omission that Ripon’s Simon Richardson is bidding to correct. 🏛️
🧵👀 For six years Simon, one of Europe’s leading battlefield metal detectorists, has — along with fellow detectorist John Benfield — been painstakingly investigating the medieval mystery surrounding the exact location of the Battle of Stamford Bridge. ⚔️🔎
Their work on the banks of the River Derwent, five miles east of York, has attracted national and international media attention, with a feature in The Times, an item on BBC’s One Show and a documentary titled 1066: The Lost Battlefield on Dan Snow’s History Hit streaming service. 🌍📺
The Battle of Hastings, which forever put the south coast town on the history map and saw it recorded on the world‑famous tapestry, and the Battle of Stamford Bridge were fought just 19 days apart in 1066. 📜
However, not one single stitch recording Harold Godwinson’s victory over the marauding Viking army led by Harold Hardrada can be seen on the 70 metres of embroidered fabric that was scrutinised by King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron before going on public display in this country for the first time in 960 years. 👑🇫🇷
A medieval stitch up! 🪡
Simon, whose Fossil Treasures business at HALLS of Ripon includes items dating back hundreds of millions of years unearthed on the Yorkshire coast, told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog: “It looks like Stamford Bridge was stitched up by the tapestry’s embroiderers, who were clearly more interested in pleasing their new Norman masters than telling the whole story of what happened in 1066.” 😅
He pointed out: “The Battle of Stamford Bridge, in which Norwegian King Harold Hardrada was killed and his Viking army routed, took place on September 25th of that world‑changing year, just 19 days before the Battle of Hastings.” ⚔️🛡️
“They were of equal historical importance, but with the demise of Anglo‑Saxon King Harold at Hastings, it appears that a blind eye was turned to his heroic efforts in the north as the tapestry extensively features the Norman Conquest, which began in the south.” 🧭
Simon, whose expertise has been called upon for investigations at 15 major battlefield sites across Europe — from the Medieval period to World War II — added: “In addition to missing out on the tapestry timeline, the discoveries that John and I have made since we were given official permission to explore the Stamford Bridge site six years ago show that for centuries, historians and archaeologists have mistakenly ‘identified’ the area where they claim the battle took place.”
“Artefacts that we have found a mile to the south of the ‘officially recognised’ battlefield include parts of Viking swords, arrowheads, spears and mail armour, strongly suggesting that the map needs to be redrawn.” 🗺️⚔️
Simon pointed out: “Dan Snow said in The Times article and on his streaming site that he and other experts are convinced that we have found the correct location — and John and I will continue our search for further evidence to support our claim.” 🔍📚
“In the meantime, all of the artefacts that we have discovered are in secure storage after being recorded by specialists at the British Museum.” 🏺🔐
Simon Richardson who owns and runs his Fossil Treasures business at HALLS of Ripon. Photograph taken by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID.
A selection of extremely rare Viking weapons discovered by Simon at the Stamford Bridge battlefield site and subsequently recorded by experts at the British Museum. They will remain in secure storage before going to various museums across the country. Photograph courtesy of Simon Richardson.
