Great Heathen Army
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The Great Heathen Army, also known as the Viking Great Army, was a coalition of Vikings, mainly Danes but including Norsemen from Norway and Sweden, who invaded England in 865. It sought to invade and conquer the four remaining kingdoms of the Heptarchy.
The invasion and subsequent war with the kingdoms lasted from 865 until 878 with the Battle of Edington and founding of the Danelaw in Eastern England.[1]
Behind the scenes
According to the Sagas, the cause of the invasion and war was the killing of legendary Viking, Ragnar Lodbrok by Northumbrian King Aella. This in turn led Ragnar's sons, Ivarr the Boneless, Björn Ironside, Ubba Ragnarsson, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Halfdan Ragnarsson to seek revenge.
The Danelaw was granted to the Vikings by Alfred the Great on the condition that Viking commander Guthrum convert to Christianity.
Appearances
References