Tag Archives: Vikings

Viking raid on Lindisfarne

The Norse raid on Lindisfarne in 793: the beginning of the ‘Viking’ age in Britain?

Norse raiders attacked the holy island of Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast in an event that is generally accepted as the start of the ‘Viking’ period of British history.

Æthelwold's revolt

Æthelwold’s revolt: why did he turn against Edward the Elder, and why did he lose?

How did Æthelstan become the first Anglo-Saxon ‘king of all Britain’?

July 12th 927 is the closest we have to a foundation date for England, when all the kings of Britain met at Eamont Bridge, near Penrith in Cumbria, to swear an oath of peace under the overlordship of Æthelstan.

Why did Æthelred the Unready order the St Brice’s Day Massacre in 1002?

On the 13th November 1002, the St Brice’s Day Massacre took place when king Æthelred the Unready “ordered slain all the Danish men who were in England”.

Death of Edward the Confessor

Why did the death of Edward the Confessor spark a succession crisis?

A succession crisis was sparked following the death of Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

Harald Hardrada and the Battle of Fulford: the start of the end of Anglo-Saxon England?

On the 20th September 1066, Harald Hardrada – the Viking king – defeated his northern English enemies at the Battle of Fulford.