Aethelred tries to get rid of the Vikings in three ways:
- Pays them money to live somewhere else, but this did not work as they kept coming back for more money.
- Made a pact with Normandy by marrying a Norman princess named Emma, which also did not help. It lead to people in Normandy thinking they would have rights to his throne.
- Killed all the Scandinavians, massacred all the settled ones (St Brice’s Day, 13 nov 1002, mass graves in England).
Consequences are that Aethelred was no longer popular in England. The king of Denmark and Norway was angry and decided to conquer England, so Aethelred and his family flee. The result is a Viking king.
When did England have a Viking king?
In 1013 there’s a Viking king, crowned on Christmas Day. He had a short reign, because he died five weeks later on the 3rd of February 1014. His death is kind of a mystery.
Who was murdered at Corfe Castle?
Edward the Martyr, King of England (975-978).
1014 (!)
Aethelred was allowed to return after Sweyn Forkbeard’s death. Only if he’d do better than before.
1016
- Aethelred died and is succeeded by son Edmund Ironside.
- Cnut the Great (son of Sweyn Forkbeard) conquers England and makes a pact with Edmund; whoever dies first would get the kingdom. Edmund died from “diarhea”, a soldier stabbed him from below.
Cnut the Great (1035)
The new king of England and the greatest king of Scandinavian history. He was king of Denmark, Norway, parts of Sweden, and king of England from 1016-1035. He sits on the throne for nineteen years. He kept peace for a while, good king.
He also marries Aethelred’s wife Emma of Normandy, enlists Wulfstan and supports English saints and churches.
Why did Cnut the Great establish law codes and who created them?
Cnut asked Wulfstan to write law codes, which he expected to bring continuity.
How does Cnut the Great represent himself?
He presents himself as “more English than the English”. He also presents himself as Christian, supporting English saints and churches.
“Cnut and the waves” anecdote
Cnut would sit on his throne on the beach and tell the waves to stop coming in. “I could not make the waves stop, so I’m not as powerful, but God can, so he is. I will put down my crown.”
This quote is relevant because in many commentaries this anecdote resurfaces. It is also occasionally used for politicians who don’t keep their promises (e.g. Obama was depicted as King Cnut when he did not shut down Guantanamo Bay).
Who would be the successor of Cnut?
Edward the Confessor, son of Aethelred the Unready. He had been in Normandy all his life.
Norman Conquest
The Norman Conquest was an invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Norman, French, and Flemish troops, all led by the Duke of Normandy, later styled William the Conqueror. It is triggered by the death of Edward the Confessor, who had probably promised Harold Godwinson to reign after him (crowned 6 January, 1066).
There were three claims to the throne of England
1. Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother in law.
2. Harold Hardrada, king of Norway, makes the claim because of his Scandinavian connections.
3. William the Conqueror (aka William the Bastard), Duke of Normandy. He claimed his right because he was related to Queen Emma.
Norman Conquest: Three claimants to the English throne
- Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother in law.
- Harold Hardrada, king of Norway, makes the claim because of his Scandinavian connections.
- William the Conqueror (aka William the Bastard), Duke of Normandy. He claimed his right because he was related to Queen Emma.
Following the three claims for the throne (Normandy Conquest), what three battles happened?
- Battle of Fulford. Vikings land in the north of England and win battle. Harold Godwinson and the English army weren’t there, but in the south, because they thought William the Conqueror would attack from Normandy (20 Sep, 1066).
- Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold Godwinson marched big part of the English army up to the North and surprised the Vikings. They win and kill the king of Norway (25 Sep 1066) (25 Sep, 1066).
- Battle of Hastings. Was fought on 14 October 1066 between the Norman-French army of William the Conqueror, and an English army under the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson. The Normans defeat the English. The English army had to go back south, which could’ve been the reason the Normans were so successful, because the army couldn’t come back to the south in time. This was the life-changing battle of England; castles were built, politics became different (14 Oct, 1066).
Chronological order of events Anglo-Saxon history
MCGVR (MacGyver!)
Migration (450-600); the Anglo-Saxons migrate from the continent to the island.
Conversion (600-700); conversion to Christianity in the north and south.
Golden Age (700-800); Golden Age of Anglo-Saxon learning, and after the conversions there are many monasteries that produce learning.
Vikings (800-900); the Vikings come, raid and gradually settle, and conquer bits and pieces of England.
Reform (900-1000)
! = when all hell breaks out (this week).
What made Aethelred such a bad king?
- He tries to get rid of the Vikings but a lot backfires.
- He made the king of Denmark and Norway angry who then decided to invade England.
What made Cnut such a good king?
- He kept peace for a while.
- Created law codes and therefore stressed continuity.
- Supports Christianity, showing that he is on the good side.
Aethelred the Unready
Becomes king in 978 (-1016) after death of half-brother Edward the Martyr. He marries twice;
1. First marriage: 10 children including Edmund Ironside.
2. Second marriage: 3 children including Edward the Confessor.
Why was Aethelred called the Unready? And what troubles arose during his reign?
Because he was poor counselled.
The Vikings launched new attacks on England.
Explain St. Brice’s Day Massacre and give the date
An order was given to kill all Scandinavian citizens to get rid off the Vikings, which was ineffective; 13-11-1002.
Who was Sweyn Forkbeard?
Was the king of Norway and Denmark, united an army to attack England after St Brice’s day massacre. Lived 960-1014, crowned king of England on Christmas day in 1013 and died five weeks later.
Which two things happen after Sweyn Forkbeard (1014)
Aethelred was allowed to return as king, but had to promise to be a better king.
Wulfstan writes ‘Sermo Lupi ad Anglos’, because he thinks the world is ending.
Who wrote ‘Sermo Lupi ad Anglos’ and why?
Wulfstan II, because he thought the world was ending. It was a title of a homily composed by him.
What does the pact between Edmund and Cnut encapsulate?
Each get half of England, whoever dies first has to give his land to the other. Edmund dies first.
Two marriages of Cnut the Great
- Aelgifu of Northampton: two children (incl. Harold Harefoot).
- Emma of Normandy: two children (incl. Harthacnut).
