The History Channel
-
Command Decisions: The Battle of Hastings
The Vikings of Bjornstad on Film
Mt. Diablo, California
 Summer, 2004

The Participants: The Vikings of Bjornstad and Regia Anglorum North America
The Production: "Command Decisions" for the History Channel, by Michael Hoff Productions
"Command Decisions: Hastings" aired in November 2004


The Warriors: Kneeling (L to R):
Mike Lindberg, Cory Nielson, Marlon Singleton (MHP), Henrik Olsgaard
Standing (L to R):
Douglas Sunlin, Shawn Johnson, Jack Garrett, Dorian Butcher, Michael Cady, Dmitriy Ryaboy, Frank Eager, Ian Garrett
Not shown:
Gordon Frye, Neb Frye

The objective:
Film the battle between
Duke William of Normandy
and
Harold, King of England		 The slopes of Mt. Diablo,
in the
San Francisco Bay Area
in July, 2004,
fill in for
Hastings, England
in October, 1066

Jack and Ian prepare for battle
Frank becomes a
Housecarl to King Harold
Duke William of Normandy
gallops onto the scene.

Henrik is Duke William for the day,
riding Taxi  



The Duke's staff
plans the invasion


Gordon and Henrik, mounted warriors

Michael deploys his men for the Duke
Dorian and Cory seem skeptical

Shawn mans
the standard
as the planning
continues
The camera gets
another angle

Michael the standard bearer


Gordon carries the Papal Banner
granted to Duke William

 

Dmitriy, Mike
and Douglas
take a break

Duke William and
Eustace of Boulogne
ride into battle

The casualty:
Gordon falls from the back of
'Twister the Killer Horse'
and breaks his wrist
The Saxons march to Hastings

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,
it's off to war we go
The battle begins in the mist

Clash of arms

Harold (Dorian) and William (Henrik)
face each other
The Normans charge the camera

Douglas, Henrik, Dorian and Gordon - Normans
Henrik and Michael bear up under their (cosmetic) wounds
Ian, Shawn and Douglas rest up
for the battle in the marsh

Coming soon-
to a History Channel near you
11th century
product placement
The Papal Banner A Battle Standard

Some repairs required

  © For information contact Jack Garrett at info@vikingsofbjornstad.com