The Great Heathen Army

What was the Great Heathen Army?

In 865 the Vikings changed their tactics. Rather than simply raiding, they invaded England with the Great Heathen Army.

What happened when the Great Heathen Army invaded England?

There were 4 main events of the invasion of the Great Heathen Army:

• ❖ The Great Heathen Army landed in East Anglia, and conquered England all the way to York, which they turned into their capital (which they called Jorvik).
• ❖ A combined army of Saxons from East Anglia and Wessex halted the Viking army at Nottingham, but agreed to pay the Vikings Danegeld to leave.
• ❖ The Vikings continued to ravage England, and conquered the powerful Saxon kingdom of Mercia in 874.
• ❖ The Vikings of the Great Heathen Army now settled the areas they had conquered, which became known as the Danelaw. They governed according to their laws, but allowed the Saxons to remain Christian.