The Vikings Invaded Europe and Britain Between 800-1000

THE VIKINGS  The Vikings invaded Europe and Britain between 800-1000.  They were warriors and expert sailors from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Due to overpopulation and poor lands, the Vikings violently attacked areas along the coasts.  Around 1000, Leif Ericson led a group of Vikings to Newfoundland.  In 911, the Vikings forced the Franks to surrender a part of northern France, which became known as Normandy.

BRITAIN  England was controlled for 3 centuries by the Jutes, Anglos and Saxons who fought amongst themselves.  Various groups struggled for power and the Danish king, Canute, eventually became king of England in 1016.

 The Norman Conquest (1066) - William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) conquered England in the Battle of Hastings when the Saxon king, Harold, was killed. - William became the first Norman king of England. - Since 1066, the authority of all British monarchs can be trace back to him.

FRANCE  The western part of the Frankish empire, ruled by one of Charlemagne’s grandsons, became France.  It did not have a strong ruler until Hugh Capet was elected king.  His descendents would bring France under their control over the next the three centuries.  The Capetian kings also made the crown a hereditary title to ward off any rivals.

HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE  In the eastern part of the old Frankish empire, Charlemagne’s heirs lost their power to the local dukes.  They made Otto their king. He allied himself with the Church. He sent troops to defend Rome at the request of the pope.  The pope named him “Holy Roman Emperor” in 962 in gratitude.  Germany and most of Italy, now controlled by Otto, became known as the Holy Roman Empire.  Few other Holy Roman Emperors could actually maintain control of both areas.  The Holy Roman Empire was eventually split into hundreds of smaller states.