Vikings in London: Raids, Conquest, and Trade
One of the most common misconceptions about the Vikings is that they were only violent brutes who raided and pillaged and particularly revelled in tormenting the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms on the Isle. That the Norsemen were violent and liked pillage, there is no dispute. But we should not forget they were traders much earlier than they became raiders. The mere fact that they founded two of the most thriving commercial entrepots on the opposite ends of Europe – Dublin and Kyev – should convince us so. It also explains why, after paying frequent visits to the shoreline monasteries of Eastern England, the Vikings set their eyes on the most substantial trading centre in the land and raided London on multiple occasions.
Viking Trade and the Importance of 9th-Century London
To understand why the Vikings set their sights on London, it’s essential to grasp their dual identity as traders and raiders. While they are often portrayed as marauders, the Vikings were also savvy merchants. Hailing from the Scandinavian lands of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, they traded goods like furs, amber, walrus ivory, and slaves. Their far-reaching trade networks stretched from the icy North to the Mediterranean, encompassing the Islamic Caliphates and the Byzantine Empire. This extensive experience in trade gave them an eye for prosperous locations.
By the 9th century, London had begun to re-emerge as a significant centre of commerce after the collapse of Roman rule. Though it was not yet the sprawling metropolis it would become, its strategic location on the River Thames made it a valuable point for trade between the Continent and the English interior. Goods could be brought in by river, and the city’s proximity to the sea meant access to Europe was only a short voyage away. The Vikings, skilled navigators, would have quickly recognised this opportunity. For them, London wasn’t just a target for plunder but a potential hub for their trading activities.
However, for the Vikings, trade and raiding often went hand in hand. Where trade failed, force could take over. Their ships allowed them to strike coastal towns with great speed, catching settlements off-guard. This mix of trade and violence would shape their encounters with London.
The Raid of 842 AD: London in Flames
The first Viking attack on London occurred in 842 AD, later referred to as the year of the great slaughter. Details of this raid are sparse, but contemporary sources, such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, paint a vivid picture of destruction. Still recovering from centuries of decline following the fall of Roman rule, London was ill-prepared for the sudden Viking onslaught.
Arriving in their swift longships, the Vikings likely struck hard and fast. London was a tempting target, offering both wealth and prestige. The attackers set fire to buildings and slaughtered the inhabitants, showing little mercy. This tactic was designed to gather plunder and terrorise the population. The city’s defences at the time were weak, and the Vikings likely faced little organised resistance. This raid, though devastating, was a sign of things to come.
For the people of London, the 842 attack was a wake-up call. The threat from the sea was very real, and the Vikings showed no signs of slowing down their campaigns. Over the next few decades, London would find itself under repeated assault.
The Raid of 851 AD: A Fleet Like No Other
Just nine years after the initial attack, the Vikings returned, this time with even greater force. In 851 AD, a fleet of around 350 Viking ships sailed up the Thames, one of the largest naval forces seen in England at the time. For those watching from the shores of London, it must have been a terrifying sight—an armada of longships filled with warriors bent on conquest.
This raid was different from the one in 842. The Vikings had come to loot and establish dominance over the region. Led by Danish forces, they overran London, plundering the city once again. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describes this raid as part of a wider campaign that saw the Vikings defeat a local English force and then winter in the south, marking one of the earliest instances of Viking attempts to settle in England.
The 851 raid demonstrated the growing ambition of the Vikings. No longer content with hit-and-run attacks, they began to see England as a place where they could establish a more permanent presence. This marked a turning point in their relationship with the island. For Londoners, it meant that Viking raids were no longer just a passing danger—they were a persistent threat.
The Great Heathen Army and the Winter of 871-2
The year 865 saw the arrival of what would become known as the Great Heathen Army—a coalition of Viking forces that invaded England to conquer the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. By 871, their campaign had reached London. The city’s importance had only grown in the intervening years, and it was now a key prize in the Viking war effort.
Under the leadership of Halfdan Ragnarsson and Guthrum, the Vikings used London as a base during the winter of 871-2. The practice of wintering in enemy territory was a relatively new tactic for the Vikings. Rather than returning to Scandinavia after a raiding season, they remained in England, using the colder months to fortify their positions and launch attacks on nearby areas. This also gave them time to form alliances with local lords, further entrenching their control.
London’s strategic location again played a role in its importance to the Vikings. The city allowed them to control the river and maintain easy access to the Continent. It also provided a defensible position to continue their campaigns against the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Though the Great Heathen Army did not hold London permanently, their occupation of the city in 871-2 was a sign of their growing power. For the Anglo-Saxons, it was clear that the Viking threat was not going away. Once again, London was at the heart of the struggle for control of England.
The Sieges of 1013 and 1016: London Under Danish Control
The Viking presence in London reached its zenith in the early 11th century, during the reign of King Æthelred the Unready. By this time, Viking raids had become almost annual, and the Danish ambition to conquer England was stronger than ever. In 1013, King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark launched a full-scale invasion of England, aiming to take the throne himself. London was one of his primary targets.
Sweyn’s siege of London in 1013 was a significant moment. By this time, the city had built stronger defences, including fortified walls, which made it a more challenging target than in previous centuries. Nevertheless, after several assaults, Sweyn managed to bring the city to its knees, and London eventually submitted to him. By the end of the year, Æthelred had fled into exile, and Sweyn was recognised as king of England.
However, Sweyn’s rule was short-lived. He died in 1014, and Æthelred returned from exile, retaking London. But the peace was fragile, and within two years, London was under siege again—this time by Sweyn’s son, Cnut. The siege of 1016 was one of the most brutal in London’s history. Cnut’s forces laid waste to the surrounding countryside and attempted to starve the city into submission.
After a series of battles and skirmishes, London finally fell to Cnut, who became king of England. His conquest marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon period in London’s history and the beginning of a new era of Danish rule.
Legacy of the Vikings in London
The Viking impact on London was profound. From the early raids of the 9th century to the conquests of the 11th, the city was shaped by its encounters with these Scandinavian warriors and traders. London’s defences were strengthened in response to the Viking threat, and its importance as a centre of trade and power grew as it became clear that whoever controlled London could control much of England.
Beyond the military clashes, the Vikings left a more subtle mark on the city’s development. Their influence lingered in the local economy as they integrated into trade networks that stretched from the British Isles to the broader Viking world. Archaeological discoveries, including Viking coins, jewellery, and tools, show they had a lasting presence in the city, even during relative peace.
London became a microcosm of the Viking influence on England in many ways. With its bustling port and diverse population, the city embodied the balance between conflict and cooperation that characterised the Viking Age. Viking raids brought destruction, but their trading expertise helped transform London into a more connected and economically dynamic city. As invaders, conquerors, and merchants, the Vikings made London one of their key hubs—a legacy still traced in the city’s fabric today.
