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Jorvik Viking Festival finale: Ten fiery photographs from the epic clash of clans

@ in Entertainment, History

The amazing scene in the Eye of York for the 2016 Jorvik Viking Festival finale. Photographs: David Harrison
The amazing scene in the Eye of York for the 2016 Jorvik Viking Festival finale. Photographs: David Harrison

These were the amazing scenes as another triumphant Jorvik Viking Festival came to a fiery finale.

After a great week of events, they saved the most spectacular moments till last.

The finale, in the Eye of York, saw a recreation of the epic Battle of Assundun. Mighty Viking leader Canute The Great was pitted against the Anglo-Saxon forces of Edmund Ironside. The winner would take England’s crown.

As these epic photographs by David Harrison show, it was a night filled with fighting, fireworks – and lots of fun.

Although the flooded Viking Centre was closed, the 32nd festival turned out to be a roaring success, with many events sold out – including the final battle.

Spectacular pyrotechnics at the end of a fantastic week
Spectacular pyrotechnics at the end of a fantastic week
Storming the battlements
Storming the battlements
King Canute (Ross Taylor), ready for battle, with Clifford's Tower as his backdrop
King Canute (Ross Taylor), ready for battle, with Clifford’s Tower as his backdrop
Hand-to-hand fighting
Hand-to-hand fighting
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Lighting up time
Lighting up time
A new look for Clifford's Tower
A new look for Clifford’s Tower
Ready for a skirmish
Ready for a skirmish
No holds were barred in the fighting
No holds were barred in the fighting
Vikings of all ages took part
Vikings of all ages took part