Vikings

789

First Viking raid on Anglo-Saxon territory

They aimed to steal Anglo-Saxon valuables

Monasteries were extremely wealthy owning hundreds of gold and precious jewels

865

End of Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon territory

They started their huge invasion aiming to conquer Anglo-Saxon territory as it offered many prospects for better living

Fertile land and trading opportunities

866

Vikings capture York because of its wealth

Vikings used York as a base to conquer Northumbria while also taking control of its trading centre

878

Treaty of Wedmore agreed where Alfred of Wessex and Guthrum Viking leader agreed to end conflict and divide their separate territories

Guthrum withdrew his army from Wessex and converted to Christianity

Wessex remained unconquered by Vikings

937

Saxon king Athelstan defeated the Vikings at the bat of Brunanburh

England brought under Saxon control with Saxon kings

959-75

Peaceful reign of Saxon king Edgar

991

Vikings raiding to try and regain old Danelaw

Saxon king Ethelred pays Danegeld to make them stop raiding but it doesn’t work

1002

St Brice’s day massacre

King Æthelred ordered widespread massacre of danish settlers to weaken danish influence of a rebellion against Anglo-Saxons

Resulted in deaths of many danish towns people

1013

Viking attacks increased after St Brice’s day massacre

King Ethelred and sons driven out of England

1016

Viking Cnut becomes king and restores unity and peace between Anglo-Saxons and Vikings