Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasion of Britain

%%The Anglo-Saxons%%

From around AD400 onwards, tribes from modern-day Denmark and northern Germany invaded, and later settled in Britain. Collectively, they were known as Anglo-Saxons. They set up a number of different kingdoms, led by lords and chieftains - by AD800 some had become very wealthy and most of the Anglo-Saxons had converted to Christianity.

%%The Vikings%%

  • The Vikings were from Scandinavia and began raiding Britain around the AD790s.
  • Initially, they raided monasteries and villages near the coast.
  • Later they sailed up rivers and attacked further inland, even setting up camps.

%%Why did the Vikings invade Britain?%%

  1. They knew how wealthy some of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had become.
  2. Better farming land - Norway was very hilly and Denmark had sandy soil.
  3. Scandinavia was becoming overcrowded.
  4. Opportunities for younger brothers who did not inherit land in Scandinavia.

%%Wessex and Danelaw%%

In AD871, Alfred, the 22-year-old son of Aethelred of Wessex, became king after his father’s death. He would go on to be known as Alfred the Great and become king of the Anglo-Saxons. He fought the Vikings and helped to bring the peace to the country.

In AD876, after conquering Northumbria, East Anglia and most of Mercia, Viking turned their attention the Wessex and began a series of attacks.

After some early successes, King Alfred and his army were driven back and forced to hide on the Isle of Athelney in the Somerset marshes.

In May AD878, King Alfred beat the Vikings at the Battle of Edington and the two sides sat down to agree peace terms.

The Viking leader, Guthrum, had to become a Christian and agree never to attack Wessex again.

A boundary was created between the Anglo-Saxon and Viking territories. The Vikings were to live in the north and east of the country which was called the Danelaw.

%%A lasting peace?%%

  • During Alfred’s reign there were still Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon territory.
  • However, Alfred strengthened defences across the country to make his land more secure.
  • Many Vikings settled down and lived fairly peacefully with the Anglo-Saxons.
  • People travelled and traded between Wessex and the Danelaw, and there was intermarriage between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.
  • After Alfred’s death, his descendants managed to recapture parts of the Danelaw. However, the Viking presence and influence still remained.
  • By the time Alfred’s great-grandson (Edgar the Peaceful) became king in AD959, the country was settled as it had been for generations.