According to Bede, a royal vill, home of Edwin in 626, existed at Aldby. This might explain the choice of Stamford bridge for the hostage exchange, instead of returning to Riccall as Aldby is only about 3 miles from Stamford Bridge. The area where the battle took place has long been known as ‘Battle Flats’ and the present day stone bridge across the Derwent, was built by William Etty in 1727. It is just downstream of the original wooden bridge. In the top border, two men carve the rune Tiwaz. This rune denotes, a bond once made cannot be broken. When inverted it suggests dishonourable actions. Tiwaz is symbolically connected with the North Star and was the god of war and justice.