The Viking Invasion of Britain: A Story of Conquest and Conflict

The Great Heathen Army

In 865 AD, a vast army of Vikings known as the Great Heathen Army, or Great Danish Army, descended upon the shores of Britain. This formidable force, led by Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan Ragnarsson, marked the beginning of a new era of Viking attacks on the British Isles.

Early Viking Activity

Prior to the arrival of the Great Heathen Army, Vikings had been raiding and trading in Britain for centuries. From the 8th to the 11th centuries CE, these Scandinavian warriors made their presence felt in various parts of the British Isles, establishing settlements and leaving a lasting impact on local culture and history.

The Battle of Edington

In 878, the Vikings met their match at the Battle of Edington, where they were decisively defeated by the forces of King Alfred the Great of Wessex. This pivotal battle marked a turning point in the Viking invasion, as it halted their advance and began the process of reconquering England from Viking control.

The Rise of the Norse Army

During the reign of Edward the Confessor in the mid-11th century, a new Norse army emerged. This army was raised from every Norwegian colony in the British Isles, and its purpose was to claim the English throne for Norwegian King MagnusHaraldsson.

The Viking Sagas

The Viking invasion of Britain is a subject of numerous Norse sagas, which provide vivid accounts of the events and motivations of the Vikings. These sagas claim that the full-scale invasion of England was sparked by the killing of Ragnar Lodbrok, a famous Danish king, by Aella, King of Northumbria.