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  3. Viking Invasions
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Viking Invasions

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iking invasions started in around 790 AD and in 793 the monastery at Lindisfarne was attacked, while the monastery of Iona on the west coast of Scotland was attacked in 802 AD.Churches were an easy target for the Vikings as they were built in remote locations and were poorly protected. Most importantly they contained ornaments made of silver and gold. The Vikings took everything of value, burnt the buildings and either killed the monks or took them as slaves. The number of attacks steadily grew and became an annual occurrence. At first the Vikings attacked in the summer and returned to their homelands for the winter.

Based on map from Atlas of British History, G.S.P. Freeman-Grenville

he years after 835 saw a change in Viking tactics. Much larger numbers of Viking ships and men started arriving on Britain's shores and soon the Vikings began to set-up permanent camps and stay in Britain over the winter months. In 844 the king of Northumbria was killed while defending his homeland against the invaders and in 865 the 'Great Army' landed in East Anglia, establishing a permanent foothold in Britain. The Anglo-Saxons on the east of the country were not strong enough to evict the invaders and within ten years the Vikings had control of East Anglia, the east of Mercia and parts of southern Northumbria. In Wessex, Alfred the Great, was an Anglo-Saxon ruler who was able to resist the Viking advances.

York became a centre of Viking occupation known as the kingdom of Jorvik and the wider area that the Vikings controlled was known as the Danelaw. In this area the customs of the Scandinavians was the norm. Edward the Elder, Alfred's successor, and his sister Aethelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, were able to turn the tide of the Viking advance and win some land back from them. In 910 Edward won the important battle of Tettenhall where many Vikings were killed. Edward's success was repeated by his son Athelstan who defeated the Danes in the north and took control of Northumbria.

When the eleven year old Athelred II became the king of England in 978, the Vikings took advantage of his inability to rule the country to start raiding again. Unable to deal effectively with the invaders the English king was forced to pay the Viking money or Danegeld for them to leave. Things became so serious for Athelred that in 1013 Swein Fork-Beard and his son Canute sailed from Denmark to attack England. The Londoners defended themselves and the Vikings moved elsewhere, taking Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria. But when Athelred and his family fled from the country, Swein was chosen as the new king of England.

Swein died shortly after becoming king and Athelred was restored when Canute returned to Denmark. Athelred's reign was short and he was succeeded by his son Edmund Ironside, who unlike his father, was a fierce warrior. Edmund was able to defend England against an invasion by Canute, but after a series of inconclusive battles a peace agreement was reached whereby the county was divided between the two and when one of them should die, the other would rule the country. Edmund died shortly after the agreement and Canute became king of England.

The Scandinavian rulers controlled England until 1042 when Harthacanute died without leaving a heir and Edward the Confessor, the son of Athelred was chosen to become the new king of England. Although the Norweigian king Harald Hardrada attempted to take the English throne after the death of Edward in 1066, he failed to do so after being defeated at the battle of Stamford. This was followed by the conquest of England by William the Conqueror and the era of Viking invasions was more of less over.

See the timeline below or this graphical version for more detailed information.

Episode Events
Episode Events

787

Summer
First recorded Viking raids
The first recorded Viking raids in England occurred. ¹

793

Jun 7
Lindisfarne raided by Vikings
The first reported case of Viking raids on the coastal area of Northumbria occurred in this year.They plundered many churches including that at Lindisfarne. Many monks and nuns were killed and treasure was taken away.

802

...
Vikings raid Iona
The monastic community founded by St. Columba on the tiny island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland was attacked by the Vikings. The Vikings returned in 806 killing over sixty of the people living there. ¹

807

...
Vikings raid island of Inishmurray
The monastic community on the tiny and remote island off the north west coast of Ireland was attacked by the Vikings. ¹

814

...
Vikings attacks
The monastery on the island of Noirmoutier just to the south of the River Loire's mouth was attacked. ¹
...
Iona community transfers to Kells
After several deadly Viking attacks on Iona it was decided to move the community to Kells in Ireland. A small number of monks chose to remain on Iona.

825

...
First Danish coins minted
At Hedeby, the Danish trading centre, the first coins were minted. The coins had viking ships embossed on them.
...
Vikings return to Iona
The prior called Blaithmac was murdered when the Vikings returned to pillage Iona. ¹

832

...
Armagh invaded by Vikings
Armagh in Ireland became a target for Viking attacks, and was attacked three times in one month. The monastery of Armagh being rebuilt several times.

834

...
Vikings at Dorestad
Dorestad was an early large medieval market located in the Netherlands located on the river Rhine. It became a target for the Vikings in 834 and then annually for several years.

835

...
Vikings invade Sheppey
It appears that the raid on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent was the start of a trend of attacks by the Vikings.

836

...
Viking invade Devon
A fleet of possibly 35 ships landed a Viking army in Devon. Egbert fought the Vikings at Carhampton but was defeated by the invaders. ¹
...
Ireland raided by the Vikings
Up until now the Vikings had raided islands and coastal communities but now they launched inland attacks. The Vikings attacked Southern Ui Néill and they took captives. ¹

837

...
Battle of Hingston Down
A Viking raiding party assisted by local Cornish men was defeated by Egbert of Wessex at the Battle of Hingston Down

841

...
Rouen attacked by the Vikings
A fleet of Viking longboats sailed up the River Seine to Rouen. There they plundered the city of its wealth. ¹

843

...
Nantes plundered by the Vikings
Saling their longboats up the Loire River allowed the Vikings to travel far inland. They reached the city of Nantes which they plundered and killed those who lived there.  ¹
Winter
Vikings remain over Winter
Rather than sailing back to Norway the Vikings began to build camps and remain where they were over the Winter months. They chose the island of Noirmoutier off the mouth of the Loire River as their base. ¹

844

...
King of Northumbria killed
Redwulf, the king of Northumbria, was killed during a Viking raid. ¹

845

Easter
Danes attack Paris
A Viking army attacked Paris after its inhanbitants fled for their live. The Vikings also plundered the banks of the River Seine. ¹

851

...
Danish invasion defeated
The Danes landed at Wembury near Plymouth and were defeated by forces from Devon. A sea battle off the coast of Kent led by Athelstan (eldest son of Ethelwulf) defeated a Danish fleet of vessels and Ethelwulf defeated an army of Danes at the battle of Ockley who had arrived in the Thames and were attacking the south of the country. ¹

852

Winter
Vikings spend winter in England
The first Viking raiding party to stay in England for a period of time landed at the Isle of Thanet in Kent. They spent the winter in England.

859

...
Vikings raid the Mediterranean
A Viking fleet spent several years raiding the cities around the Mediterranean, including Valence on the River Rhone and Pisa on the Italian coast. They sailed through the straits of Gibraltar from their base in Brittany.

865

...
The 'Great Army' invade
A large army of Danes landed in East Anglia led by King Ivar the 'Boneless' and King Halfdan. No attempts were made to get rid of the invaders. ¹

866

...
The Danes invade Northumbria and York
The Danes led by the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok, Ivar the boneless and Halfdan, attacked Northumbria and York. They wanted revenge for the death of their father who had been killed by Aella, the King of Northumbria. (Aella could have been an Irish Prince.) The Danes destroyed many churches and monasteries including Whitby Abbey. The monasteries remained ruined for two hundred years. (This may be a legend as Aella was supposedly killed at York)
...
The 'Great Army' arrive in East Anglia
A large number of Vikings landed in East Anglia and gathered horses and supplies from the surrounding areas in preparation for their assault on Northumbria. Their leaders were Ivar the Boneless, son of Ragnar Lodbrok, and possibly Anlaf (Olaf) Cuaran, the King of Dublin. ¹
...
Vikings driven out of Ireland
Vikings raiders were driven from the northern coasts of Ireland by Aed Finliath. ¹
Nov
Northumbria is invaded by the Danes
The 'Great Army' moved north from their original landing site in East Anglia and into Northumbria where it split into two. One section took boats up the coast and sailed into the Humber while the other section went overland. York was captured and renamed Jorvik. ¹

867

...
Danes impose a king on Northumbria
The Danes place a puppet King on the throne in Northumbria called Egbert. ¹
Mar 21
Battle of York
Armies from Northumbria led by the two kings Aella and Osberht attacked the Danes at York but were defeated. The two kings were killed after gaining access to the city. After the battle the Danes moved south attacking Nottingham and taking control of it. The king of Mercia asked Ethelred and Alfred for assistance and an army from Wessex was sent to help. ¹

868

Autumn
A peaceful settlement is reached
Ethelred and Alfred married Mercian noble women whilst assisting the King of Mercia with the Danes on his land. A peaceful settlement was reached with the Danes and a Danegeld was paid for them to leave. ¹

869

...
Danes attack East Anglia
Moving south again from York, The Danes entered East Anglia, attacking and destroying the many religious buildings in the area including the monastery at was what to become Peterborough. The King of East Anglia, Edmund raised an army to attack the Danes but was captured and killed. ¹

870

...
Crowland Abbey destroyed
The Danes attack Crowland Abbey and burn it down. ¹
...
Siege of Dumbarton Rock
The Vikings laid siege to Dumbarton Rock. The siege lasted for four months after which the defences fell and the Vikings took prisoners and treasures to Dublin.
Dec
The Danes attack Wessex
The Danes moved south into the Wessex area and captured Reading. ¹

871

Qtr 1
Battle of Ashdown
Aethelred and Alfred defeated the Danes at Ashdown.
Qtr 2
More Danes arrive in Britain
Another army of Danes landed in London and were joined by those at Reading. The army defeated Alfred at Wilton and so the king decided to pay the Danes some money to keep the peace. ¹

872

...
Ivar the Boneless dies
Ivar 'the Boneless', the king of Dublin died. He was succeeded by his brother Halfdan.
...
Revolt in Northumbria
In 867 the Danes had installed a puppet ruler in Northumbria called Egbert. In 872 the Northumbrians rebelled and expelled Egbert. The Viking army moved north from Wessex and put down the revolt. They installed a new ruler called Ricsige.

873

...
Forty Years Rest
In 873 the Vikings ceased their attacks on Ireland as they concentrated on England. The period of peace becoming known as the Forty Years Rest.

874

...
Vikings colonise Iceland
Vikings landed in Iceland with plans to create settlements and start farming the land.

875

...
Danes move against the north.
Led by Halfdan the Danes moved north to attack the Picts and the area of Strathclyde. The Danes divided Northumbria taking York for themselves and creating the area known as Danelaw. A second Danish King called Guthrum took his army back south to Cambridge where he prepared plans to attack Wessex. ¹

876

...
Danes defeated in the south
Led by Guthrum, an army of Danes moved to Wareham in Dorset where they were met by a new army from the sea who landed at Poole. Alfred trapped the army and demanded hostages in return for a peaceful settlement. The Danes divided, half fleeing to Exeter where they besieged the town while the other half escaped in their ships but were drowned in heavy seas. Those at Exeter were forced to surrender and were moved up to Gloucester. ¹
...
Jorvik founded by the Vikings
The Vikings made York the capital of their kingdom in England. They called it the kingdom of Jorvik. ¹

877

...
Death of Constantine I
Invaders from Scandinavia were a constant threat to the Scots and an invasion in 877 resulted in the death of the Scottish King, Constantine I. He was succeeded by his his brother Aed.

878

Jan
The Danes take the advantage
After Exeter. Alfred was hoping that trouble with the Danes was over, but again led by Guthrum, an army headed for Alfred at his Chippenham residence. Alfred fled under overwhelming odds leaving Chippenham in the hands of the Danes.  ¹
Spring
Alfred burns the cakes
During the winter and spring period Alfred was in hiding. He ran a guerrilla warfare style war against the Danes and set up his headquarters on the Isle of Athelney in Somerset. It was on one of his scouting missions (the story goes) that he took refuge and not being recognised as the King was asked to watch the cakes which he burnt. ¹
Apr
Battle of Edington
Alfred called for his men to form an army and attack the Danes. He ordered the army to meet at a location known as Egbert's Stone and seven weeks after Easter an army was formed. Once formed the army quickly moved towards Guthrum and the Danes and the two armies met at Edington. The battle at Edington was won by Alfred and the Danes retreated to Chippenham. The Danes were surrounded and surrendered. Guthrum along with several other high ranking members of the Danish army were converted to Christianity under Alfred's sponsorship. Guthrum and Alfred agreed on peace terms and the Danes returned to their holdings in East Anglia known as the Danelaw. ¹

879

...
Start of reorganisation
After the success at Edington Alfred decided to construct of a series of fortified villages or burhs to help protect Wessex. He set up a system that provided Wessex with both a standing army and defence at a local level.
...
New Viking Invasion
A new Viking fleet sailed up the Thames and built a camp at Fulham. For Alfred this was a worrying situation as he was unsure if this new Viking army would move to join Guthrum. Alfred did not have to worry as the army soon broke camp and headed for France. ¹
Apr 10
Death of Louis II
Vikings were again pushing into Europe and King Louis II started a campaign against their advance, but he fell ill and died. He was succeeded by his two sons Louis and Carloman who jointly ruled the areas of France.

882

...
Alfred attacks Viking ships
Alfred had been increasing the size of his new navy and in 882 used it to good affect when he sailed out to attack four Viking ships. Two Viking ships were captured and their crews killed. ¹

885

...
Vikings besiege Rochester
An army of Vikings landed in Kent from the Continent and besieged Rochester. Alfred's work in improving the defences of the major towns paid off and the town held out long enough for Alfred to organise an army and force the Vikings to flee back across the Channel to the Continent. ¹
...
The Siege of Paris
A fleet of Viking longships sailed up the River Seine heading for eastern France and new lands and cities to plunder, When they reached Paris the Vikings offered to spare the city if they were allowed free passage up the river. The river was blocked by bridges that crossed and prevented even the Viking ships passage. Their request was denied and so the Vikings laid siege to the city. The siege was broken when an army led by Emperor Charles the Fat arrived. Charles agreed to pay the Vikings off and allowed them passage past Paris to Burgundy which they plundered, ¹

886

...
Alfred captures London
Alfred took full control of London and strengthened its defences in defiance against Viking attacks. London had not been a capital town before now but Alfred raised London's status.At some point in this period of time Alfred and Guthrum signed a treaty agreeing to several conditions. The first condition being a boundary thought to define the extent of the Danelaw, the area where the Vikings were living in England.

890

...
Guthrum dies
Guthrum, the king of the Danish Vikings in the Danwlaw died in 890. The peace agreements with King Alfred were maintained by his successor.

893

...
Danish Invasion
A huge army of Danes travelled from Boulogne using some 250 ships and crossed the Channel landing in Kent at the Lympne Estuary, now called the River Rother. The army found a half-completed Saxon fort at Appledore which they attacked and took control of. At the same time another Danish army led by Haesten had arrived in the Thames estuary and set up camp at Milton. Alfred was facing a serious threat but decided to position his army half way between the two enemy encampments and wait.

894

...
Battle at Farnham
While Alfred concentrated his efforts against the Danes at Milton, the Danes at Appledore left their camp. Alfred's son Edward took an army and caught the Danes at Farnham. Edward dealt a heavy blow and forced the Danes to retreat to an island on the River Colne. At the same time Danes from East Anglia had sailed around to the Cornish coast and had besieged Exeter. Aflred, who had been on his way to help Edward deal with the Danes on the island, changed direction and headed for Exeter. Back in Essex Haesten had gained reinforcements and moved to a new fortified site at Benfleet, but the fort was attacked by the Saxons while the Danes were on a raiding trip and this forced Haesten to move to Shoebury. The Danes outside Exeter ended their siege and sailed around to the join Haesten at Shoebury.
...
Danes march west
The combined Danish army left Shoebury and marched west up the Thames valley through Worcestershire and up the Severn valley finally reaching Chester where they were besieged by the Saxons who tried to starve the Danes out. The Danes managed to escape into Wales where they raided and left with a great deal of spoils. The Danes returned to the estuary of the River Thames and built themselves a new camp on the River Lea around 20 miles to the north of London.

895

...
Alfred confronts the Danes
In the summer of 895 Afred and a large army set up camp near the Danes on the River Lea. They did this downstream of the Danes and started constructing forts either side of the River to prevent the invaders getting their ships back to the sea. Unable to escape down the river the Danes abandoned their ships and escaped westwards to the River Severn. The Londoners meanhwile captured those ships that were still seaworthy.
...
End of the Danish Invasion
The English were unable to remove the Danes by force, but the Danes were running short of supplies and food and eventually the army split. Some went to Northumbria while other headed south and began raids on the other side of the English Channel.

896

...
Rollo defeated at Chartres
Rollo and his army besieged the city of Chartres, but the bishop of the city, Walthelm, with the assistance of Richard duke of Burgundy and Ebal the count of Poitiers forced them to retreat.

902

...
Norwegians expelled from Dublin
The Norse that had occupied Dublin were expelled with nowhere to go. Over the next few years they attacked Wales, Scotland and North West England.

906

...
Peace with Northumbria
Edward the Elder managed to agree peace terms with the Danes in Northumbria but friendly relationships were not to last. ¹

910

Aug
Battle of Tettenhall
Edward the Elder of Wessex with help from Aethelred of Mercia defeated Danes from York at the battle of Tettenhall (Wednesfield) in Staffordshire. Many of the Danes were killed in the battle including Halfden. The West Saxons and Mercians laid waste to Northumbria for several weeks after their victory. ¹

911

...
Rollo founds the Norman Dynasty
Rollo, in return for land in Northern France, swore allegiance to the French king Charles III. Charles' motives were to use a settled band of Vikings in his country to help prevent more Viking attacks in the future. The hope that Charles may have had of removing the Vikings at a later date proved impossible to implement. ¹

913

...
Tamworth fortified against the Danes
Aethelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, fortified the towns of Tamworth and Stafford against attack from the Danes.  ¹

914

...
Vikings return to Ireland
Vikings landed at Waterford in Ireland and established a base. ¹
...
Warwick founded by Athelflaed
Aethelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, founded the town of Warwick at the important river crossing across the River Avon. The town was fortified againt attack from the Danes.  ¹

917

...
Battle of Tempsford
The Danes were defeated at the battle of Tempsford and their leader Guthurm was killed. ¹

927

...
Athelstan defeats the Vikings
When Sihtric died he left an heir Olaf. The king of the Norse in Dublin arrived to assist Olaf but Athelstan was ready for any trouble that they could do and defeated them. York was seized and its fortifications destroyed.

930

...
St. Albans attacked by the Danes
The abbey church at St. Albans was attacked and damaged by Vikings.

937

...
Danish invasion
The Dane Olaf Guthfrithson or Anlaff (possibly Sihtric's son), Owen of Cumberland and Constantine, King of the Scots sailed into the Humber to invade Northumbria. Athelstan's speed at raising his army that marched north put paid to any plans of invasion and a fierce battle occurred (Brunanburgh near Beverley ?) in which many Danish kings and earls were killed. Olaf Guthfrithson fled to Ireland. Edmund, Athelstan's younger half-brother also took part in the battle.

944

...
Edmund captures York
Edmund I took control of York and the surrounding area. He removed sacred relics from the remains of Whitby Abbey and moved them to Glastonbury Abbey.

954

...
York falls to Eadred
Eadred defeated Eric Bloodaxe the Dane that had ruled the kingdom of York on and off for several years. Eric was killed and Eadred took control of the kingdom of York. Eadred nominated Oswulf as the new ruler of Northumbria. ¹

980

...
First Viking attacks
With Aethelred on the throne for a short time and possibly showing some weakness in his ability to rule, the Vikings started their attacks. Concentrating on the south coast the raids were limited and the affect to the country as a whole was small. ¹

982

...
Vikings colonise Greenland
Vikings from Iceland discovered the island and called it Greenland.

988

...
Battle at Wachet
In Somerset Viking raiders attacked and burnt the village at Wachet. Streonwold, the local English leader, called for help from the surrounding population and a battle was fought. The Vikings won the battle and Streonwold was killed.

991

...
Vikings attack the wealthy south-east
Under the leadership of Olaf Trygvasson the Vikings attacked the wealthy south-east coast of England and took as much riches as they could carry. ¹
...
Battle of Malden
The raiding Vikings attacked the Ipswich area of England before sailing into the Blackwater river estuary near Malden. The English were waiting for them and trapped the Vikings in rising tidal waters. The English fought bravely and a poem was written about their exploits but in the end the Vikings were victorious and the English were defeated.
...
Vikings paid to leave England with land tax
Aethelred was advised by Archbishop Sigeric to talk to Olaf and arrange a truce rather than trying to defeat the Vikings in battle. The Vikings accepted a large payoff and left. The sum of money was around 10,000 pounds and was raised by collecting a land tax known as Danegeld. ¹

992

...
Ships gather in London
King Aethelred decreed that all sea-worthy ships should gather in London and then put to sea and destroy the Viking army. But alderman Aelfric sent word to the Danes the night before the attack of the King's plan which allowed them to escape. Aelfric then fled.  ¹

994

...
Swein Fork-Beard invades Britain
Swein Fork-Beard had overthrone this father King Harold Blue-Tooth Gormsson, King of Denmark in 988. With a huge fleet of 94 ships he arrived in the Thames estuary with Olaf Trygvasson by his side. London put up a good defence and drove the Vikings back so Fork-Beard moved his forces again to attack the south-east coast to plunder what he could find. ¹
Winter
Trygvasson converted to Christianity
Through the Winter months Aethelred provided the Vikings with lodgings and £16,000 in cash to stop the raids on his land. Aethelred was also the sponsor at the baptism of Olaf Trygvasson. Olaf was given instruction from the Aelfheah Bishop of Winchester. ¹

999

...
Durham Cathedral consecrated
Bishop Aldhun, the first Bishop of Durham, consecrated a cathedral at the location where the remains of St. Cuthbert had been relocated to. The remains were at Lindisfarne and were moved because of the danger of Viking raids. ¹

1001

...
Danish raids
Danish raids on Sussex and Devon. ¹

1002

...
Another Danegeld paid
Aethelred was forced to pay the Danes that were camped on the Isle of Wight another large amount of money for them to leave.
Nov 13
Massacre of St Brice's day
Aethelred ordered the massacre of all Danes living in England because he was fearful of them plotting against him. The death toll was greatest in the south. In the north the number of Danes and their close relationships to the Saxons made the order more difficult to perform. One of those killed was Gunhilde, the sister of Sweyn Forkbeard, the wife of Palig, also a Dane and living in England a hostage as a condition of peace. It is possible that in revenge for the murder of Gunhilde that the Danes invaded England and took control of the English throne.

1003

...
Wilton and its abbey attacked
Swein attacked the town of Wilton and possibly its abbey. ¹

1006

...
Destruction of Walingford
The Danes, led by Swein, attacked and destroyed the river crossing at Wallingford. ¹
...
Reading attacked by the Danes
The Danes attacked and burnt the town or Reading. ¹

1008

...
A large fleet is ordered
Aethelred ordered England to build a massive fleet of ships. The people of England had to supply armour for the crew as well. It was a huge undertaking but was completed the following year.

1009

...
Danes repeatedly attack England
Swein Fork-Beard repeatedly attacked England over several years destroying the land.

1011

...
The Vikings murder Aelfheah
The Vikings captured Canterbury and obtained a payment of £48,000. In a drunken rage the Vikings murdered Aelfheah, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Aelfheah was the man that had baptised Olaf Trygvasson in the Winter of 994. Outraged by the actions of his fellow men Thorkell the Tall defected to the side of Aethelred along with 45 Viking ships to help defend England from further Viking attacks. ¹

1012

...
Danegeld paid
The Danes were paid a large sum of money, known as the Danegeld, to leave England.

1013

...
Swein Fork-Beard and Canute attack England
Swein Fork-Beard and his son Canute sailed from Denmark to attack England. Again London defended itself and the Vikings moved elsewhere, taking Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria.
Autumn
Emma and Edward leave England
Forced to leave England by the invasion from Denmark, Emma Aethelred's wife, fled to Normandy assisted by the Bishop of Peterborough. Sons Edward (the Confessor) and Alfred followed later along with the Bishop of London. Ethelred was not far behind.
Nov
London surrenders to Swein
London was the last part of the country to accept Swein as the new king of England. Swein and his Viking army had already taken control of the Danelaw and the rest of the country accepted him as their new ruler. Swein's rule of the country would only last a few months.

1014

...
Aethelred goes into exile
Aethelred had to abandon his country to Swein and went to Normandy to join his wife Emma and his sons.
...
London Bridge destroyed
An attempt was made by Ethelred II to take back his throne from the Danes. He was assisted by Olaf of Norway and sailed up the Thames to London. The tactic was to destroy the wooden bridge and so divide the Danish army. The bridge was heavily defended and so by using rafts with coverings to protect those onboard Ethelred's men were able to get close enough to place ropes around the bridge piles. Then by rowing back down stream they managed to pull the piles from the riverbed and sections of the bridge fell down. ¹
Feb 3
Swein dies
Swein Fork-Beard died. Canute left England not sure of his ability to hold the country but returned a year later. Aethelred sent ambassadors to England, including his own son Edward (later the Confessor) to negotiate a possible return. ¹

1015

Qtr 3
Canute returns to England
Canute invaded England taking control of Mercia and Northumbria. Aethelred was ill and England was in the hands of Edmund (Ironside).

1016

Apr
Canute attempts to take the throne
Canute advanced on London for a fight with Aethelred but Aethelred died in the same month. London accepted Edmund Ironside as their ruler. Canute would have to defeat Edmund if he was to become King of England. ¹
Oct 18
Treaty between Canute and Edmund
Canute defeated Edmund Ironside at Ashingdon and a treaty was signed leaving Edmund with only the area of Wessex.
Nov 30
Canute becomes King of England
Edmund Ironside died only a month after the treaty with Canute. Canute then became King of England.

1017

Jul
Canute marries Emma
Canute married Emma, the widow of Aethelred the Unready. This helped Canute secure ties with Normandy as Emma was the daughter of Count of Normandy.

1019

...
Canute takes Denmark
Canute travelled to Denmark after the death of his elder brother Harald to ensure his own succession to the Danish throne. ¹

1031

...
Canute drives Scottish Kings into submission
According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Canute travelled to Scotland where he forced the Scottish Kings into submission.

1035

Nov 12
Canute dies
King Canute died at Shaftesbury leaving the rule of the country in dispute between Harthacnut (the son of Emma) and Harold Harefoot (the son of Aelfgifu). The Earls of Northumbria and Mercia supported Harold's claim while Earl Godwin supported Harthacanute's. Canute's body was taken to Winchester to be buried. Harthacnut was in Denmark at the time of his father's death and was unable to travel to England because of invasion threats.

1037

Dec
Harold Harefoot becomes king
Harold Harefoot was proclaimed king of England and Emma was exiled to Bruges.

1040

Mar 17
Harold Harefoot dies
Harold died at Oxford leaving the English throne open for Hathacanute to claim.

1042

Jun 8
Harthacanute dies and Edward the Confessor becomes King
Harthacanute collapsed while attending a party and died shortly afterwards. He died without an heir and so the crown reverted back to the Saxons and Edward the Confessor was crowned King of England at Easter of 1043 at Winchester. After the death of Harthacanute Magnus took control in Denmark.

1046

...
The Danes in Kent
Twenty five Danish ships landed at Sandwich on the Kent coast, plundering the town and surrounding areas. They killed many people and carried off a large amount of treasure.  ¹

Event Participants and Locations

  • Egbert (King of Wessex 802-839)
  • Aethelwulf (King of Wessex 839-858)
  • Aethelbert (King of Wessex 860-866)
  • Aethelred (King of Wessex 866-871)
  • Halfdan, (King of Danes -876)
  • Aella, (King of Northumbria 866-7)
  • Alfred (The Great, King of Wessex 871-899)
  • Guthrum (King of the Danes -890)
  • Constantine (I, Ruler of the Scots 863 - 877)
  • Aed (King of Scotland 877 - 878)
  • Louis (II, the Stammerer)
  • Louis (III, King of France 879-882)
  • Carloman (II, King of France 879-884)
  • EDWARD (the Elder, King of West Saxons, 899-924)
  • Rollo (Rolf or HRolf)
  • Aethelflaed (Lady of the Mercians)
  • ATHELSTAN (King of the English 924-939)
  • Constantine (II, King of the Scottish 900-942)
  • Sihtric (Norse King of York)
  • Edmund (I, King of the English 939-946)
  • Eadred (King of the English 946-955)
  • Aethelred (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016)
  • Trygvasson, Olaf
  • Swein (Fork-Beard)
  • Aelfheah (Archbishop of Canterbury)
  • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
  • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
  • Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
  • Alfred (Aetheling)
  • Edmund (II Ironside, King of the English 1016)
  • Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042)
  • Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
  • Leofric (Earl of Mercia)
  • Godwin (Earl of Wessex)
  • Magnus (I, King of Norway)
  • Whitby Abbey
  • Nottingham Castle
  • Peterborough Cathedral
  • Crowland Abbey
  • Tamworth Castle
  • Stafford Castle
  • Warwick Castle
  • St. Albans Cathedral
  • Glastonbury Abbey
  • Winchester Cathedral
  • Durham Cathedral
  • Wallingford Castle
  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • London Bridge
  • Wessex
  • Mercia
  • York
  • Danegeld
  • London
  • Danelaw
  • Worcester
  • Normandy
  • Isle of Wight
 
3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

Medieval Episodes

Early Middle Ages

  • Saxons and Angles
  • Viking Invasions

High Middle Ages

  • Edward the Confessor and Godwine
  • Reasons for the Norman Invasion
  • The Norman Invasion
  • The Norman Conquest
  • Background to the Crusades
  • People's and First Crusade
  • Second Crusade
  • Third Crusade
  • Stephen's succession to the throne
  • Civil War (The Anarchy)
  • The Conquest of Ireland
  • Henry II and Thomas Becket
  • Excommunication of King John
  • The First Barons' War
  • The Second Barons' War
  • Edward I and Wales
  • Edward I and Scotland

Last Middle Ages

  • Edward II and Piers Gaveston
  • Robert the Bruce
  • Isabella, She-Wolf of France and death of Edward II
  • Edward III starts the Hundred Years War
  • Continues with Richard II
  • Henry V invades France
  • Henry VI and Joan of Arc
  • The Black Death
  • The Peasants Revolt
  • The Lords Appellant
  • Glendower's Revolt
  • Wars of the Roses

Early Modern Period

  • The Great Explorers
  • Henry VIII and his six wives
  • Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen

Event Participants and Locations

  • Egbert (King of Wessex 802-839)
  • Aethelwulf (King of Wessex 839-858)
  • Aethelbert (King of Wessex 860-866)
  • Aethelred (King of Wessex 866-871)
  • Halfdan, (King of Danes -876)
  • Aella, (King of Northumbria 866-7)
  • Alfred (The Great, King of Wessex 871-899)
  • Guthrum (King of the Danes -890)
  • Constantine (I, Ruler of the Scots 863 - 877)
  • Aed (King of Scotland 877 - 878)
  • Louis (II, the Stammerer)
  • Louis (III, King of France 879-882)
  • Carloman (II, King of France 879-884)
  • EDWARD (the Elder, King of West Saxons, 899-924)
  • Rollo (Rolf or HRolf)
  • Aethelflaed (Lady of the Mercians)
  • ATHELSTAN (King of the English 924-939)
  • Constantine (II, King of the Scottish 900-942)
  • Sihtric (Norse King of York)
  • Edmund (I, King of the English 939-946)
  • Eadred (King of the English 946-955)
  • Aethelred (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016)
  • Trygvasson, Olaf
  • Swein (Fork-Beard)
  • Aelfheah (Archbishop of Canterbury)
  • Canute (King of England 1016-1035)
  • Edward (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066)
  • Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred)
  • Alfred (Aetheling)
  • Edmund (II Ironside, King of the English 1016)
  • Harthacnut (King of England 1040-1042)
  • Harold (Harefoot, King of England 1037-1040)
  • Leofric (Earl of Mercia)
  • Godwin (Earl of Wessex)
  • Magnus (I, King of Norway)
  • Whitby Abbey
  • Nottingham Castle
  • Peterborough Cathedral
  • Crowland Abbey
  • Tamworth Castle
  • Stafford Castle
  • Warwick Castle
  • St. Albans Cathedral
  • Glastonbury Abbey
  • Winchester Cathedral
  • Durham Cathedral
  • Wallingford Castle
  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • London Bridge
  • Wessex
  • Mercia
  • York
  • Danegeld
  • London
  • Danelaw
  • Worcester
  • Normandy
  • Isle of Wight

Explore the White Tower

Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

 

Adventure Game - Early Access

Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

 

Medieval Village - Early Access

Explore the medieval village.

 

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