And the Vikings of Sven met the Normans at the crossing where he met his undoing

The armies array on opposite sides of the river, slim bridges span between them.

The Normand host defends one briges with mounted Knights sent to cross the other.

The Knights crush into the host defending the bridge.  Sven with Bondi and Berserker is caught off guard by the Norman ferocity.

The Berserkers fall under the hooves and spears.

Viking Bondi brave the Norman volley to cross the bridge.

Sven leads his Bondi into the remaing Knights and a fierce battle ensues.  The Knights are killed, but with a heavy toll.

Bondi and Hirdmen are slowed by Norman volleys.

The Bondi, weakend, prove no match for the Norman Sergeants.

The Hirdmen alone face the Norman host.



Sven spurns his remaining Bondi onward toward the battle.



 The Hirdmen assault across the bridge, not waiting for Sven and his meager reinforcements.

 Sven alone makes it to the Norman host, he does not faulter but charges into the Norman crossbowmen.  Weaked from battle he proves no match for them and falls.  The Normans claim the crossing and remain there uncontested.

And in the spring Sven Greybeards emcampment was raided by Comte Perriuer

The scouts report the approach of the Norman invaders.  Sven Greybeard sends a call for his forces to muster.

The armies array on the field of battle.



Viking Bondi don their shields, the Berserkers nash their teeth.



Norman Sergeant load their crossbows and heft their spears.

  Comte Perriur assesses the battlefied and issues his orders.

His Knights and Sergeants menace the Viking flank.

Sven assesses the battle and bellows his orders.

Bondi charge the Foot Knights protecting Comte Perriuer while Sven leads another band into the Norman horse.



The Norman Knights protect their Lord, killing six men, but loosing two of their own.



On the other flank Sven Greybeard savagely leads his men into the Norman horse, killing man and beast till none remain.



 But the first part of battle has ensued and the armies have bloodied each other.

Norman Sergeants charge to avenge their fallen Knights.



Though they kill many they are repelled by the fury of Sven's band.

Viking Hirdmen crash into the Norman crossbowmen.



The Sergeants do not withstand the steel of the Hirdmen.

Sven leads his Bondi into the remaining Norman spear with heavy loses to both sides.  Comte Perriur and his remaining Knights face off with the Hirdmen.



Eric the Ambitious attemps to end this battle by killing the Comte.

His valient charge will be told of in the Sagas, and he will be burried with sword and shield on the spot where he fell.

Sven has but one Bondi and he relentlessly pursues the last of the Norman spearmen.

It leaves him alone to face the Sergeants volley and only the cover of a tree preserves his life.

Elsewhere on the field Viking Berserkers muster their frenzy and charge the Norman Comte.  The last of the Norman Knights thrusts his leader aside and takes the blow meant for him.  Enraged, the Comte sends the Berserkers to Valhalla.

Sven Greybeard, his countrymen dead and dying, lets out a cry and charges the Norman Sergeants.



 His frenzied attack leaves two dead and the rest fleeing the onslaught.

 Comte Perriuer charges the frenzied Viking and impales his foe on his spear.  Sven runs his blade through the Comte's mail and both fall awash in each other's blood.

Saga

And in the years before Godwin, and William after him, there was a mighty stuggle over who would unite all the land and become the Bretwada, the High King.