Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The people spoken of as Vikings came from a number of Scandinavian places. Those from Norway tended to travel to northern England, Scotland and Ireland while those from Denmark, first appearing in force in 834 AD, went to eastern England and northern France. In the battles against Wessex and King Alfred the Vikings involved were principally Danes. Although he managed to defeat them in southern England, he could not displace them from the north east and the territory they controlled, with its boundary running mainly along Watling Street (the modern A5 road) was known as the Danelaw. An attempt was made to buy them off by King Ethelred for which purpose he raised a tax known as the Danegeld. This was not the last time the Danes were bought off. In 1069 they raided in force and, starting at Dover, pillaged their way north to York. William I campaigned against them and struck, at the price of a heavy bribe, a peace agreement with them. The price paid led to the need for the Domesday survey.

Related Reading:

• Saxon Viking Norman (Men-at-Arms 85)
• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )
• Viking Hersir 793-1066 AD
  (Warrior 3)