The Formation of the Great Heathen Army
The Great Heathen Army's invasion of England was not a sudden, isolated attack but part of a broader strategy by the Vikings to establish dominance in the British Isles. By 865, Viking raids on the British coast had been occurring sporadically for nearly a century, but the raid led by Ivar the Boneless and his brothers was different. The Viking warbands that had previously looted and then retreated had now come together under a unified leadership, signaling the start of a large-scale and sustained invasion.
The army was led by several prominent Viking chieftains, including Ivar the Boneless, the son of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, along with his brothers, Ubbe, Sigurd, and Hvitserk. Their goal was not merely to raid but to conquer and settle. It is believed that they were motivated by a mix of factors, including the quest for wealth, revenge for the death of Ragnar Lothbrok, and the opportunity to secure new territories for settlement.
The Invasion of England
The Great Heathen Army first landed in East Anglia in the winter of 865, and their arrival was met with resistance from the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. At the time, England was divided into several smaller kingdoms, each with its own ruler and military forces. The Vikings began their campaign in the kingdom of Northumbria, one of the most vulnerable of the Anglo-Saxon realms. The initial Viking assault was devastating, as the Norsemen quickly overran the kingdom.
The Vikings' military tactics and organization were highly effective. They used a combination of heavy infantry and cavalry, with warriors often mounted on horseback, and their longships allowed them to move quickly along the coastline and navigate rivers deep into the interior of the kingdom. The Vikings were also skilled in siege warfare, which became apparent when they besieged the important fortress of York (Jorvik) in 866, eventually capturing the city after a prolonged siege. shutdown123