ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Happened to the Vikings After Battling England?
The Vikings were known for many things: they were raiders, traders, and skilled craftsmen. But they weren’t always seen as conquerors until they set their sights on England. Unlike others who tried and failed, the Vikings managed to conquer England not once, but twice. Their first conquest lasted over a century and became legendary in the Norse sagas. But what really happened to the Vikings after they battled England? Let’s dive into their fascinating history.
In 793, a group of Viking seafarers spotted the holy island of Lindisfarne off the coast of Northumbria, one of the seven kingdoms that made up what we now call England. Earlier that year, Saxon writers had warned of bad times ahead, mentioning strange omens like whirlwinds and fiery dragons in the sky. Their fears came true when the Vikings attacked the unguarded Christian monasteries, leaving behind a desecrated sanctuary at Saint Cuthbert.
This marked the start of the Viking Age, a period when Scandinavian warriors began to raid and later attempt to conquer England. The attack on Lindisfarne was significant because it struck at the heart of the seven kingdoms of England. The island was a key location for spreading Christianity, and the Vikings looted its wealth, which would be worth millions today. They also captured monks, adding to their stock of human servants, a major part of their economy.
Over the next few decades, the Vikings raided more monasteries across England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Eventually, they decided to conquer England instead of just raiding it. The first successful conquest was led by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary figure whose existence is debated. According to the sagas, Ragnar was killed by King Aella of Northumbria, prompting his sons to gather a large army and invade England. This invasion was called the attack of the Great Heathen Army.
Despite its name, the Great Heathen Army wasn’t as large as it sounded. Viking ships could only hold about 32 men each, but historians estimate the army was nearly 3,000 warriors strong. The army landed on the Isle of Thanet in Kent in 865, aiming to conquer all of England. They took advantage of the infighting among the four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and marched north to take Northumbria.
The Vikings faced resistance from King Aella and former King Osbert, but they eventually defeated them. They established the kingdom of Jorvik, centered on York, and continued their conquest. The king of East Anglia, Edmund the Martyr, was captured and killed, leading to further devastation in the region.
Within a decade, all of England except for Wessex had submitted to the Norsemen. The Danish warrior Guthrum led the Great Heathen Army, but Wessex, ruled by King Æthelred, put up a strong defense. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Ashdown, where Æthelred and his brother Alfred II achieved a significant victory, forcing the Vikings to retreat.
The conflict continued until the decisive Battle of Edington, where Alfred gathered an army and defeated the Vikings. This victory led to the Treaty of Wedmore, which established boundaries between Viking and Anglo-Saxon territories, marking the beginning of Norse dominance in England.
The clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse redefined England both ethnically and culturally. However, this was just the beginning. Under leaders like Sweyn Forkbeard and Cnut, the Vikings would achieve their second and final conquest of England.
The Viking conquests left a lasting impact on England, influencing its culture and language. Many English words today have roots in Old Norse. The Vikings’ story is a fascinating chapter in history, showing how a group of seafaring warriors changed the course of a nation.
Imagine you are a Viking warrior during the time of the Great Heathen Army. Write a short saga or story about your adventures, focusing on your experiences during the conquest of England. Include details about the battles, the landscapes, and interactions with the Anglo-Saxons. Share your saga with the class and discuss the different perspectives on the Viking conquests.
Using a blank map of England, plot the key locations mentioned in the article, such as Lindisfarne, York, and Wessex. Mark the routes taken by the Great Heathen Army and highlight the areas under Viking control after the Treaty of Wedmore. Present your map to the class and explain the strategic importance of each location.
Divide into two groups, one representing the Vikings and the other the Anglo-Saxons. Research and prepare arguments for a debate on whether the Viking conquests were beneficial or detrimental to England. Consider cultural, economic, and political impacts. After the debate, reflect on how both sides contributed to the shaping of modern England.
Research some common English words that have roots in Old Norse. Create a list of these words and their meanings. Then, work in pairs to create a short dialogue using as many of these words as possible. Perform your dialogue for the class and discuss how the Viking influence is still present in the English language today.
Explore the art and craftsmanship of the Vikings by creating a piece of Viking-inspired art. This could be a drawing, a piece of jewelry, or a model of a Viking ship. Use traditional Viking patterns and symbols in your work. Display your creations in a classroom gallery and explain the significance of the designs you chose.
The Vikings were many things: raiders, pillagers, traders, merchants, and craftsmen. However, they were not initially seen as a conquering society until they set their sights on England. While many had attempted to conquer England, the Vikings were the only ones to succeed, and they did so twice. The first conquest lasted over a century and became legendary in the North sagas. Did Ragnar Lothbrok perish in the snake pits of Northumbria, or did the sons of Ragnar have a different motive behind their invasion of England?
Welcome to Nutty History! Today, let’s explore what happened to the Vikings who were the first to conquer England. Viewer discretion is advised, as some content may be disturbing. We do not support or condone the actions of the subjects featured.
In 793, after days of traversing the North Sea, a group of seafarers from the north spotted the holy island of Lindisfarne on the horizon. This island, located off the coast of Northumbria, was one of the seven kingdoms that constituted what we now know as England. Earlier that year, Saxon writers had warned that bad times were coming for Northumbria, citing omens such as immense whirlwinds and fiery dragons in the sky. Their fears were not unfounded, as the ships of pagan Vikings caught unguarded Christian monasteries by surprise, leaving behind a desecrated sanctuary at Saint Cuthbert.
Thus began the Viking Age, a period during which modern England suffered the wrath of Scandinavian sailor-warriors who first looted the land and then sought to conquer it. The attack on Lindisfarne was not the first instance of Viking violence on English soil; four years earlier, three Viking ships had landed in Wessex, where they reportedly killed the king’s reeve. However, the attack on Lindisfarne was significant as it targeted the integrity of the seven kingdoms of England.
The island is called Holy Island because it was a key location for the spread of Christianity on the English mainland. While it is difficult to determine the exact wealth gained by the Vikings from raiding Lindisfarne, artifacts found there suggest that the monks at Saint Cuthbert possessed substantial material wealth. The wealth raided in 793 would be worth tens of millions in today’s economy. Additionally, many monks were abducted, boosting the Vikings’ stock of human servants, a major industry for them.
Christian monasteries became lucrative targets for Viking raiders, and in the following decades, they plundered more English monasteries as well as those in Scotland, Ireland, and France. Eventually, the Vikings decided to conquer England rather than just raid it. In the long history of England, the country has only been conquered twice, both times by the Scandinavians—ancestors of modern Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
The first successful conquest was led by the semi-legendary sons of Ragnar. Whether Ragnar Lothbrok was a real person or a fictional character is debated, but the men who called themselves the sons of Ragnar were likely real. According to the sagas, Ragnar was sentenced to death by King Aella of Northumbria, prompting his sons to amass a large army and launch an invasion. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles referred to this invasion as the attack of the Great Heathen Army.
The name “Great Heathen Army” may have been misleading, as historians suggest that the Viking ships could not hold more than 32 men at a time, making it unlikely that the army was as large as it sounded. However, mainstream historians estimate that the Great Heathen Army was nearly 3,000 warriors strong, based on accounts of various smaller invasions. It is also possible that the army grew in numbers after landing in England, as different warrior groups may have joined the cause along the way.
The Great Heathen Army landed on the Isle of Thanet in Kent in 865. At that time, Viking raids were typically hit-and-run, but this organized army sought more than just tribute; they wanted to conquer all of England. They noticed that the four kingdoms of Anglo-Saxons were prone to infighting, which presented an opportunity. After raiding Kent and accepting peace offerings in the form of horses, they marched north to take Northumbria.
Despite initial successes, the Vikings faced resistance from King Aella and the former King Osbert. The sagas describe how Aella was defeated and subjected to a brutal fate known as the blood eagle. The Vikings then established the kingdom of Jorvik, centered on York, and returned to East Anglia, where they faced further resistance. The king of East Anglia, Edmund the Martyr, was captured and killed, leading to further devastation in the region.
Within a decade, all of England except for Wessex had submitted to the Norsemen. By this time, the Danish warrior Guthrum was leading the Great Heathen Army. Wessex, ruled by King Æthelred, put up a strong defense against the invaders. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Ashdown, where Æthelred and his brother Alfred II employed a strategy to counter the Viking forces. Despite initial setbacks, the Anglo-Saxons achieved a significant victory, forcing the Great Heathen Army to retreat.
The conflict continued, leading to the decisive Battle of Edington, where Alfred gathered an army and faced the Vikings once more. This battle resulted in a resounding victory for the Anglo-Saxons, leading to the Treaty of Wedmore, which formalized the boundaries between Viking and Anglo-Saxon territories. This treaty established the Danelaw, marking the beginning of Norse dominance in England.
The clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse redefined the land now known as England, both ethnically and culturally. However, this was just the beginning, as the Norse sought to gain control over all of England. Under the leadership of Sweyn Forkbeard and Cnut, the Vikings would achieve their second and final conquest of England.
Let us know in the comments if you are aware of words that modern English borrowed from Old Norse. If you enjoyed the video, please like, share, and subscribe for more Nutty History content. Thank you for watching!
Vikings – Seafaring Scandinavian people known for their raids and settlements in Europe during the 8th to 11th centuries. – The Vikings were skilled navigators who traveled across the seas to trade and raid in various parts of Europe.
England – A country in Europe that has played a significant role in world history, particularly during the medieval period. – In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded England, marking the beginning of Norman rule.
Conquest – The act of taking control of a country or territory through military force. – The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 dramatically changed the country’s social and political landscape.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about history helps us understand the cultural and political developments that have shaped our world.
Raiders – People who attack a place suddenly to steal or cause damage. – Viking raiders were feared across Europe for their swift and brutal attacks on coastal settlements.
Monasteries – Religious communities where monks live, work, and worship. – During the Viking Age, monasteries were often targeted for their wealth and valuable manuscripts.
Army – An organized military force equipped for fighting on land. – The English army faced numerous challenges defending against Viking invasions during the early medieval period.
Culture – The social behavior, norms, and practices of a particular nation or people. – The Viking culture was rich in mythology and storytelling, which has influenced modern literature and media.
Norse – Relating to the medieval Scandinavian people, their language, or their culture. – Norse mythology includes tales of gods like Odin and Thor, which were integral to Viking beliefs.
Territory – An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state. – The Vikings expanded their territory through exploration and conquest, establishing settlements in places like Iceland and Greenland.
