Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon England

impact of raids and responses to them

Viking raids

• 780 - 1066

• war of plunder, conquest and settle

information about before the viking raids

• Anglo saxons were vulnerable to the viking raids because they were overpowered and outnumbered

• the vikings were pagans and not christians and many were craftsmen and farmers.

• all goods were stored in undefended churches

Why did the vikings raid england?

The Vikings raided to steal gold from monasteries and also to take people as slaves. The things they stole they often sold so they could buy the things they wanted.

How did the vikings raid england?

• The Vikings usually carried out their raids during the summer months when it was safer and easier to cross the sea from their home in Norway.

• laying ambushes and using woods to lay in wait for armies approaching along established roads. If confronted by legitimate forces in raids, Vikings would create a wedge formation, with their best men at the front of this wedge.

Impact of the viking raids of the local people?

• Physical: economic damage, mass slaughter, large scale looting+robbery, England ruled as one, monks were slaughtered and taken for slaves, people began hiding treasures

• Psychological: shock+awe, influenced anglo-saxons to be united against the vikings, created animosity between Christians and pagans, people had traumatic experiences

How did vikings invading change the makeup of england forever?

• England ruled as one

• people ended up marring vikings assimilation them into the society

• influenced the language to change

Reasons for the anglo-saxons success

• the government helped to resist the raids by being well organised

• created an efficient system of law, tax collection and justice

• king alfred convinced anglo-saxons to fight

• battles ended because of compromising, the anglo-saxons stopped seeing them as the enemy

Impact of the viking raids on the government and kingship.

Pressured governments to

• strengthen defences

• reconsider strategies

What socio-economic factors motivated viking raids?

need for recorders wealth and land due to overpopulation and economic pressures in Scandinavia

Impact of Viking raids on the people

• fear

• displacement amongst local populations

• social and economic disruption

First viking raid

Lindisfarne 793 - marked the beginning of viking age

What common tactic was used by Anglo-Saxons in response to viking raids?

They made political agreements, truces or alliances

What happened to many Anglo-Saxon noblemen during the invasions?

They were often killed or fled from their lands

How did Anglo-Saxons view the viking raids according to contemporary churchmen?

A sign of Gods displeasure due to their sins

What did the Anglo-saxons do to protect their wealth from viking raids?

they hid their treasures and wealth

Main role of churches during the raids?

Centres of wealth and often targeted by Viking raids

Who was Aetherlerd the Unready?

The Anglo-saxon King Aethelred II

What was the kings primary response to viking invasions

He often attempted to buy peace with Danegeld

What happened after the death of King Cnut

A period of turmoil and rival claims to the throne

Who was Cnut?

The viking king who became king of England after defeating Aethelred

What ship did Alfred the great design to counter viking longships?

A type of boat larger than the viking’s

In which battle did Alfred achieve significant victory over the vikings?

The battle of Edington

What kind of tactics did Alfred use against viking forces?

Guerrilla tactics to disrupt viking forces.

Reason for the initial success of the viking raids

The vikings were excellent seafarers and navigators

What did the Anglo-Saxons often do when faced with overwhelming Viking forces?

They paid tribute or bribes to the Vikings

Dane law

The area of england under Viking control, especially the north and the east

impact of the viking raids of on Anglo-Saxon society

The emergence of a new Anglo-saxons cultural identity

What year did Alfred become king of wessex?

871 AD

What king is known for organising the defence of Wessex against vikings?

Alfred the Great

Danegeld

A tax paid to the vikings to avoid attacks it invasions

How did Anglo-Saxons respond to the viking threat?

• direct confrontation

• building forfeited towns (burns)

• making political deals

What was the purpose of the viking raids beyond acquiring wealth?

• establishing trade

• gaining territory

• displaying power

Viking longships

fast and could navigate both open seas and shallow rivers

• allowing for surprise attacks and quick escapes

why did vikings choose coastal locations for the raids?

• easy to reach

• often weakly defended

common targeted locations

coastal locations