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Vikings Reach Out

Vikings Reach Out

VIKINGS REACH OUT

YEAR 4

name: class: Knowledge Organiser • • Year 4

Vocabulary Timeline

Vikings People from (, 789 CE First Scandinavian raids and ). They wer also 793 CE Viking attack on referred to as ‘’ (men of the 865 CE invades (a large North) or ‘’. Viking army) The Land which King Alfred agreed to 878 CE - King Alfred defeats give to the Vikings. Here they followed . Guthrum is then baptised. their own laws - not the Anglo-Saxon ones. The most important city in the 927 CE Athelstan unites the English kingdoms Danelaw was York (or Jorvik as the 985 CE Bjarni Herjolfsson discovers America by Vikings knew it). accident Raid A surprise attack with the aim of 991 CE Battle of leads to the first . stealing things. Vikings would raid Payments had previously been made but homes and even monasteries to steal they were not . as much as they culd. However, not all 1013 CE King Sven Forkbeard of Sweden lands and Vikings were raiders. becomes King of Danegeld Money paid to Vikings to try and stop 1016 CE King Cnut becomes King of England them invading and raiding. The 1066 CE dies, leading to gave them to leave. several contenders claiming the throne. Longship Long, narrow boats which the Vikings , a Saxon becomes King, used for raiding. They could travel up defeats the Viking Harald Hadrada, but is rivers as well as across the sea and then killed by at the were ideal for a quick getaway. . The Saxon and Vikings ages end, and the era of Norman rule in Pagan During the Viking times, people who Britain begins. believed in multiple gods. Monotheist Somene who believes in only one god. Polytheist Someone who believes in multiple gods. Important People A story or myth, especially abut early Viking voyages. King Alfred King of from 871 to 889, defended Wessex from the Viking A great hall where dead heroes conquest. Labelled himself The feasted with the gods. King of the English. Asgard A sky world - where the gods live. Guthrum King of the Vikings in Danelaw at the time of the treaty with the Saxons. Athelstan First King to unite all of the English Norse Gods kingdoms, 927. King Aethelred II Became King at 7 years Chief god the Unready old. He introduced an official agreement known as Danegeld God of thunder, fertility, the sky and with the Vikings. law King Cnut King of England, Denmark and Loki God of mischief and chaos Norway. He ruled England from Freya Goddess of love, beauty, fertility and 1016 to 1035. war Bjarni Herjolfsson Norse explorer who sighted The Frey God of fertility (Freya’s brother) Americas in 985. Icelandic explorer who was the first European to set foot in North America. William First Norman King of the Conqueror England. This victory marks the end of the . He invaded England from Normandy* *This area was called Normandy because it was originally a stronghold of the Vikings (Norse Men). So the were actually Vikings!

2 Lesson Question You will learn Learning Review

Why did the Vikings • Where the Vikings came from. invade Britain? • What life was like in the Viking homelands. • What Britain had to offer to invaders. • How the Vikings settled in Britain

What happened at • Why Lindisfarne was such an important Lindisfarne in 793? island. • Who lived on Lindisfarne. • How the Vikings found and attacked the island. • How we know about the attacks.

Why did Alfred • The Anglo Saxon King Alfred. sign a treaty with • The Great Heathen Army. Gurthum • The Viking warrior Guthrum. • How Guthrum became Æthelstan.

Were the Vikings • The Irish priest . The Viking explorer the first Europeans Bjarni Herjólfsson to discover the • The Viking explorer Leif Erikson. Americas? • The Italian explorer .

Who were the Norse • The similarities between the Norse and Gods? Anglo-Saxon Gods. • The story of Odin’ s eye. • The death of Baldur.

Did King Cnut try to • How Cnut became King. stop the tide from • Cnut’ s religious beliefs and activities. coming in? • The different explanations for Cnut trying to stop the tide.

3 Lesson 01 Why did the Vikings raid and invade Britain?

Who were the Vikings? 2. The Vikings were just warriors. The Vikings’ homeland was Scandinavia: Do you agree with this statement? modern Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The Vikings were warriors, skilled craftsmen and ______boat-builders, adventurous explorers, fantastic ______farmers and wide-ranging traders. From Scandinavia they travelled great distances, ______mainly by sea (using longboats) – as far as North America to the west, Russia to the east, Lapland to the north and Iraq to the south. Life in Scandinavia Scandinavia, the Viking’s homeland, was overwhelmingly rural (a geographic area outside of towns & cities). The Vikings lived in small settlements of longhouses. The largest villages consisted of only fifteen to fifty farmsteads/longhouses. The vast majority of Vikings earned a meagre (poor) living through agriculture (farming), or along the coast, by fishing. Viking farm work was perilous (deadly). It was gruelling work that required incredible inputs of labour to accomplish the simplest of tasks. Famines, raids, and natural disasters were ever-present dangers that could rob the farming household of their crops and, ultimately, their lives.

3. True or False? Read the statements and circle the correct answer.

1. Where was the Viking’s homeland? The Vikings lived in cities. True / False

______Vikings lived in longhouses. True / False

The vast majority of Vikings True / False were farmers or fishermen.

4 • Lesson 1 Raiding and Invading Need for Land or Resources Over the course of the Viking Age, the Some historians believe that the Vikings Scandinavians came to occupy large struggled to provide sufficient (enough) territories in Europe, and plundered (raided) resources for their population. Whilst there was much of the rest. The Vikings began exploring land in Scandinavia that could have been Europe from around 789 CE and with this farmed on, it would have required tremendous came raiding – sudden attacks in effort to prepare it for a small growing season which, if successful, plunder and slaves were Traditionally, the eldest son of a Viking family seized. Eventually, following numerous Viking inherited the family’s estate, thus leaving raids, the Scandinavian explorers began younger sons to seek their fortune by emigrating settling in foreign lands and Vikings settlements (moving abroad) or engaging in raids. These developed across Europe. younger sons therefore needed to travel in order to have land. 4. Draw on your map the routes England had a milder climate compared to the Vikings took to Britain Scandinavia, which meant that it had better growing conditions. Additionally, there was a lot of arable land (where crops can grow) that could be farmed on.

5. How was the need for land and resources similar to the AngloSaxons motivations for coming to Britain?

______

Religious Retaliation Potential Motivations for Viking Travel In 772, (a European Christian Many Vikings departed Scandinavia on raids or King) waged wars with pagans in modern- even as settlers for Britain. We will now examine day . As the Vikings were pagans (at the Viking motivations for leaving Scandinavia. the time, someone who believed in multiple gods), some historians believe that the Vikings began raiding Christian countries in response to Charlemagne and other European Christians who were killing or converting pagans to Christians.

6. Do you know about any other religious conflicts?

Lesson 1 • 5 Wealth & Honour Settling in Britain The Vikings desired success. They wanted Over time, many Vikings chose to stay in Britain respect, land and riches. One method of finding rather than return to Scandinavia after their wealth was to raid and plunder. Britain at the raids. From 865, Viking communities developed time was relatively wealthy and the Church in across Scotland and England as Viking warriors particular received and stored much of Britain’s began to colonise (settle among and establish wealth. The Pagan Vikings held no reservations control) the British Isles. about taking from the church or indeed from This invasion was hostile and the negotiation the rest of Britain’s population. Arguably, the for land and power was completed by force. desire to receive wealth in plunder and honour in battle provided motivation for many Vikings to depart Scandinavia.

Technology & Knowledge The Vikings adopted new kinds of longboats (ships). The Scandinavians were a maritime people due to the geography of their homelands – as it was easier to travel using the sea. The Vikings were exceptional ship builders and innovators, the development of long ships with sails enabled the Vikings to travel much This artist’s picture, based on archaeological evidence, further distances in much quicker times. With the shows what an early Viking settlement in England might improved ships, Viking navigators then began have looked like. exploring and this knowledge of far-away lands was shared upon the return of successful ships. Equipped with the geographical knowledge, 8. What was the most important Viking chieftains began to look further afield motivating factor for the Viking for lands to raid and invade. invasions? ______7. What was the most important ______motivating factor for the Viking ______raids?

______

6 • Lesson 1 Lesson 02 What happened at Lindisfarne in 793?

Retrieval Practice

1. Where did the Vikings come from? Tick all that apply. a. Sweden b. Scotland c. Norway d. Denmark e. England

2. What type of ships did the Vikings use? Long boats or Short boats

3. True or False? Read the statements and circle the correct answer. The Vikings lived rurally. True / False Vikings lived in longhouses. True / False Viking lands were split evenly between the sons of a family. True / False The vast majority of Vikings were farmers or fishermen. True / False The Vikings used longboats with sails. True / False

4. What is a raid?

5. Why did the Vikings raid Britain?

Lesson 2 • 7 Why was Lindisfarne important? In 635, the Northumbrian King Oswald gave an Irish monk named Aidan the island of Lindisfarne so that he could build a new monastery (a big building which monks live in together). Monks were Christians who made lots of promises. They said that they would never become rich, they would never get married, and that they would commit their whole life to worshipping God.

During the 670s, a man called Cuthbert joined the 1. Complete the sentences. monks at Lindisfarne and eventually he became the monastery’s greatest monk. Cuthbert A ______was constructed on Lindisfarne. reformed the lives of the monks by ensuring that they followed the religious practices of Rome, An Irish monk, named ______built the rather than Ireland. monastery. In 687, Cuthbert died and he was buried in a stone Cuthbert died in ______and he was coffin. There is a story that eleven years later, his buried in a ______tomb was opened and his body was still like the day that he was buried. The monks believed that this showed his purity and saintliness. Where is Lindisfarne? Miracles began to be reported at Lindisfarne Lindisfarne is an island that is within the county and many people travelled on a pilgrimage (a of , England. It is located in the journey to a place of particular significance) North-East of the country close to Hadrian’s to the monastery to see the newly sainted St Wall and Scotland. The island is 1 mile from the Cuthbert’s shrine. English mainland

8 • Lesson 2 The Attack on Lindisfarne 2. Label Lindisfarne, Northumbria,

Scandinavia & draw the route Lindisfarne monastery was undefended and

the Viking long ships would isolated. As far as the monks were concerned, have taken to get to Lindisfarn Northumbria was peaceful & secure. Lindisfarne, being a monastery, contained lots of religious artefacts and wealth with little protection. On the 8th of June 793, Viking Long ships were spotted approaching the island of Lindisfarne and this arguably marked the start of the Viking age. Attacking Lindisfarne either demonstrated careful Viking planning or extreme luck. The Vikings found riches and few defenders, the island was too isolated to be protected by the troops of Northumbria. The Vikings were merciless (showed no mercy) in their ransacking (stealing things and causing damage) of the monastery. The monks and inhabitants of Lindisfarne were no match for the Viking warriors who killed, stole & acted as The Arrival of the Vikings they pleased. In 789, three ships of Northmen arrived on The Vikings departed Lindisfarne with gold, the English coast, disembarked (got off their silver and possibly slaves in the hulls of their boat) and killed a representative of the King. long ships. A successful raid with glory, wealth However, despite this, the monks of Lindisfarne and the knowledge that England contained were unaware of the dangers they faced and multiple future raiding sites. they felt protected by their faith in God.

3. Sequence these events.

The Lindisfarne raiders departed for Scandinavia

The Vikings disembarked at a Lindisfarne beach.

A representative of the King of Wessex was slaughtered

Three ships of Northmen landed on a 1 Northumbria beach

The raiders pillaged and plundered the monastery.

Lesson 2 • 9 Alcuin’s Reports of The Viking Raid 4. What could this stone carving represent? At the time of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne, a priest called Alcuin was living in Northumbria. He wrote a letter all about the attack, and why he thought it might have happened. Historians call this a primary source, because it was written by someone at the actual time. Primary sources give historians valuable information about events that took place in in history, and how people felt about them.

5. What does this extract from Alcuin’s letter tell us about the Viking raids?

The pagans have desecrated God’s sanctuary, shed the blood of saints around the altar, laid waste the house of our hope and trampled the bodies of the saints like dung in the street. Is this the beginning of the great suffering, or the outcome of the sins of those who live there? It has not happened by chance, but is the sign of some great guilt. Never before has such an atrocity been seen

Atrocity = a terrible and cruel act, usually involving suffering

______

Alcuin suggested that the monks either deserved the attack because they had sinned or that this was the beginning of a Viking age. Over the coming years, his prophesy came true, and Viking atrocities became frequent. Many coastal towns lived in fear of Viking raids after the events at Lindisfarne. Over the next few decades, Vikings began to settle after they had taken property and land in England.

10 • Lesson 2 Lesson 03 Why did Alfred sign a treaty with Guthrum?

Retrieval Practice

1. Where was the first Viking raid in Britain? a. b. Lindisfarne c. Lincoln d. Leicester

2. Where were the Vikings originally from? a. Scandinavia b. South Africa c. Scotland d. Sheltands

3. What was the name of their ships the Vikings used?

4. Give one reason that the Vikings raided Britain?

5. What made the island of Lindisfarne special?

Lesson 3 • 11 Great Heathen Army Alfred engaged Guthrum in a series of skirmishes (small battles) which Guthrum continued to In 865, England was split into four major kingdoms: win. Eventually, Alfred and Guthrum signed a Wessex, , Northumbria and . treaty (an agreement) in that required A Viking army, arrived on British shores with Guthrum to leave for laden with the intent to invade and rule England. The more of Alfred’s wealth. Anglo-Saxons in England called these Vikings ‘The Great Heathen Army’. A heathen is the Whilst Alfred celebrated the Northmen name given to a person who does not follow leaving his lands and the traditional Twelfth a religion, especially . Whilst some night celebration in , Guthrum Viking settlers in England were glad that the stealthily attacked. Alfred was nearly captured army had arrived, the Anglo-Saxon population but he fled into the marshes of . From was terrified of these fearsome warriors. his base in the marshes, Alfred and his band of followers started a guerrilla warfare campaign, in which they retreated and attacked when opportunities arose.

1. What year did the Great Heathen Army arrive?

______

For 14 years, the army ravaged the four kingdoms until the Vikings controlled all of kingdoms except Wessex. , the King of Wessex, had so far kept the Vikings at bay by paying the Vikings leave Wessex Alfred returned from the marshland and alone. The Great Heathen Army then split in called his followers to battle and they fought two: Halfdan led a band of men to Scotland Guthrum at the Battle of Edington. Guthrum’s and Guthrum turned his army to Wessex. forces suffered losses and Guthrum retreated to Chippenham where Alfred besieged him. After two weeks, the Treaty of 2. why had the Great Heathen Army was signed. In the treaty, Alfred & Guthrum chosen to avoid attacking Wessex? divided the land. Alfred agreed to the Viking colonisation of parts of England. A line was drawn which ran from London to Chester, the Guthrum vs Alfred northern area was the Danelaw – the land Guthrum led his men to meet Alfred in 878 and self-governed by the Vikings. Guthrum agreed they battled. However, they quickly negotiated to convert to Christianity, he was baptised (agreed upon) a payment, which meant Æthelstan. Alfred was Guthrum’s godfather, Guthrum was to return to East Anglia with some which meant that Guthrum became his of Alfred’s wealth. Guthrum then ignored the adoptive son. agreement. He continued raiding Wessex.

12 • Lesson 3 3. Sequence these events. 5. What does this picture show? Look carefully at the writing and use your knowledge of Alfred and Guthrum and his followers battledwith 1 Guthrum to help. Alfred Guthrum and Alfred fought atEthandun Alfred mustered his men for a return The was signed. Guthrum stealthily attacked thecelebration Alfred retreated to the marshes of Somerset Alfred paid Guthrum a danegeld Guthrum became Æthelstan Alfred celebrated the Twelfth Night. Guthrum retreated and Alfred besieged him Guthrum ignored Alfred’s agreement. He killed, raided and spent the danegeld. Guthrum and Alfred signed another treaty 6. Complete the sentences.

4. With your partner, act out the story Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties of Alfred and Guthrum because ______Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties so ______Aftermath Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties but Guthrum (or Æthelstan, as he was now known) ______upheld his end of the treaty and left for the Danelaw. He withdrew his army and settled in East Anglia in 879. Æthelstan coined money Redraft your sentences to Improve in his kingdom using his Christian name. He them. lived out the remainder of his life there until his death in 890. Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties Alfred built up the defences of his kingdom because ______and established a navy. He also reformed the Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties so coinage. Whilst Æthelstan’s coins referenced ______his Christian name, Alfred’s coins upon his death Alfred and Guthrum signed treaties but referred to him as the King of The English. ______

Lesson 3 • 13 Lesson Were the Vikings the first Europeans to discover 04 the Americas?

Retrieval Practice

1. Where were the Vikings from?

2. Circle whether these statements are true or false. a. Lots of Vikings were farmers/fishermen. True or False b. There was a monastery on Lindisfarne. True or False c. St Cuthbert was killed by the Vikings. True or False d. Guthrum became a Christian. True or False e. Alfred became known as the King of Scandinavia True or False

3. What was the name of the area of England that the Vikings lived in?

4. What name did Guthrum take after he was christened? a. Alfred b. Æthelsten c. Æthelbert d. Æthelred

5. Which was the only that Guthrum failed to invade and win? a. Northumbria b. East Anglia c. Mercia d. Wesse

14 • Lesson 4 The Americas The continents of North and South America make up the Americas. The Americas are a group of countries that stretch from The United States of America and Canada in the North down to Chile and Argentina in the South. The Americas are now home to over one billion people and it is thought that the Americas began to be populated during the last Ice Age. For thousands of years, indigenous people (the original settlers of a region) lived in the Americas. The Atlantic Ocean separates Europe & the Americas.

1. Which continents make up the Americas?

______

3a. List one piece of evidence that 2. What ocean separates Europe potentially proves that St Brendan and the Americas? journeyed to The Americas

______Were the Vikings the first Europeans to discover ______the Americas? Possible European Contenders: I. St Brendan 3b. List one piece of evidence that potentially disproves that During the 8th and 10th centuries, an Irish St Brendan journeyed to priest named Brendan apparently voyaged The Americas with other pious (religious) companions across the Atlantic Ocean and found an island. ______Apparently, Brendan set sail intending to go to The Garden of Eden. However, upon finding an ______island, he headed home with many stories to tell – such as finding a gryphon ( an animal with the body of a lion & head of an eagle). Whilst a modern voyage in a similar boat to that used by St Brendan was proven possible, there is no archaeological evidence of Brendan’s visit. Furthermore, many elements of Brendan’s story share similarities with immrams (Irish tales that describe a hero’s seafaring adventures).

Lesson 4 • 15 Validity of the II. Bjarni Herjólfsson Details regarding the explorers Leif & Bjarni Bjarni was the first Norseman to sight North come from Icelandic sagas – epic Viking America. Each summer he visited his father in stories that are believed to have been oral . On one voyage around 985, he (spoken) stories until around 1200 when they was mislaid by a storm and rerouted westwards were written down. It was believed that many towards North America. Upon sighting the of the Viking sagas were only stories. But then North American coastline and seeing that the in1960 archaeologists found a Viking camp coastline differed to Greenland, he headed in (Canada). They dated the back to sea in order to find Greenland and his camp to the year 1000. waiting father.

4. Should the sagas be believed?

5. Using the map, explain Herjólfsson route

16 • Lesson 4 III. Leif Erikson IV. Christopher Columbus was a Viking explorer. His second Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, son, Leif, is credited with being the first European who completed four journeys across the to land on North America. According to a saga Atlantic Ocean on behalf of the Spanish (story or myth) in 1000, Leif set sail for the land monarchy. He is widely credited as the first sighted by Bjarni Herjólfsson. Leif attempted European to discover The Americas as after to follow Bjarni’s route and he landed first in a his journeys, a sailing route was set up which rocky location, that he named (Flat- enabled European rule and settlement in The Rock Land). Americas. Deciding to travel onwards, he then landed in Whilst Christopher unsuccessfully journeyed for a forested place, which he named a route to Asia, he was successful in finding (Forest Land). Leif then ventured for two days land which was undiscovered by Europeans. at sea, visiting (Grape Vine Land) a Columbus first sighted The Americas on the beautiful location that had a fantastic mild 12th October 1492, he saw what is now known climate and lots of grape vines. as The Bahamas. eif spent the next winter in Vinland before travelling home to Greenland laden with grapes and timber. During the journey, Leif rescued another (boat) and he was given the nickname Leif the Lucky. Leif’s journey to The Americas sparked interest that led to Vikings emigrating (moving abroad) for a short time to Vinland.

6. Name three places Leif visited in America?

______

7. Who do you think was the first European to discover The Americas?

Use these lines to jot down notes for each of the different contenders, before reaching your decision.

St Brendan Bjarni Herjólfsson

Leif Erikson Christopher Columbus

I think the first European to discover the Americas was ______

Lesson 4 • 17 Lesson 05 Who were the Norse Gods?

Retrieval Practice

1. Circle the correct response. a. Christopher Colombus landed in The Bahamas. True or False b. Bjarni saw the coast of North America. True or False c. Erikson visited four places in America. True or False

2. List three reasons why the Vikings settled in England a. ______b. ______c. ______

3. Why was Lindisfarne important to the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings? a. Anglo-Saxons ______b. Vikings ______

4. What was the name of the Viking army that invaded England in 856? a. The Great Horrific Army b. The Great Heathen Army c. The Great Heaven Army d. The Great Horrible Army

5. Which Anglo-Saxon King fought Guthrum? A______

18 • Lesson 5 Viking Gods At the start of the Viking age, the Norse (Viking) population was pagan (someone who believed in multiple gods). As time progressed, more Vikings settled in Christian lands and interacted with Christians. Many Vikings began to worship the Christian God. The Vikings were polytheists (they worshiped many gods) and so many Vikings accepted the Christian God alongside their many Gods.

1. Are the following statements true or false?

The Vikings believed in one god. True / False The Viking gods lived in Asgard. True / False

2. What was the name of the hall that Viking warriors believed they would feast in after they were killed in battle? Each of the Viking Gods had their own personalities and stories. These gods were not ______immortal, but they did live for a very long time with superhuman powers. The most important ______gods were Odin, Thor, and Frey, however there were many other gods including the trickster Loki. These Gods lived in Asgard in palaces – 3. How would the Viking beliefs the largest was Valhalla. The Vikings believed have helped them in battle? that warriors, who were bravely killed in battle lived in Valhalla where they feasted every ______night. ______The Viking religious beliefs share some ______similarities with the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons. This is because both languages came from the same area in Europe. So they used the similar words for the same sorts of Gods. 4. Match the Anglo-Saxon and Viking Gods:

Anglo-Saxon God Norse/Viking God Woden Tyr Tiw Odin Thunor Thor

Lesson 5 • 19 The Saga Of Odin’s Eye Mimir was the Norse God of Wisdom. One day, Odin came across Mimir’s well. He knew that one drink would give him all of the knowledge in the universe. He asked Mimir for a drink. The well’s guardian, knowing the value of such a drink, refused unless Odin offered an eye in return. So, Odin gouged out one of his eyes and dropped it into the well. Having made the sacrifice, Mimir dipped his horn into the well and offered the now-one-eyed god a drink.

6. Who was responsible for Baldur’s death?

a. Frigga b. Loki c. Hod

I believe ______was responsible for 5. Why did Odin want to drink from Baldur’s death because ______Mimir’s well? ______

The Saga Of Baldur’s Death Frigga, a god, cast a spell on Baldur, another god, to stop anything that might hurt him from touching him. Other gods enjoyed using Baldur as a target for fun, they used many items: darts, knives, arrows, and axes. Everything bounced off him. One day, Loki shapeshifted into an elderly lady and complimented Frigga on the spell. Frigga revealed, to the lady, that the only she left out of the spell was mistletoe. Loki cut a sharp point into a twig of mistletoe. He then gave this to the blind god Hod who began throwing objects at Baldur. Loki gave Hod the sharp piece of mistletoe. Hod threw it and it pierced Baldur’s heart.

20 • Lesson 5 Lesson 06 Did King Cnut try to stop the tide from coming in?

Retrieval Practice

1. Name three Norse Gods: a. ______b. ______c. ______

2. Give one reason that the Vikings may have invaded Britain

3. What was the money given by the Anglo-Saxons to the Vikings called? a. Danegold b. Danish Gold c. Danegeld d. Danish Geld

4. What was the name of the area in the East of England where the Danish were allowed to settle? a. Viking Land b. Danelaw c. Daneland d. East Anglia

5. When was Lindisfarne first raided by the Vikings? a.193 b. 593 c. 793 d. 1793

Lesson 6 • 21 What had happened since the Danelaw? Following the formation of the Danelaw in 1. Match the people and the facts. 886, England under Alfred’s stewardship (leadership) prospered. After Alfred’s death, ’s Æthelred there was upheaval in the monarchy as son various royal deaths led to short reigns. In 927, Athelstan united the English kingdoms by He invaded England Athelstan conquering the Danish kingdoms in England. in 1013 Whilst there was some stability in the English He ordered the St. Cnut monarchy, Viking raids began again in the Brice’s Day massacre . After losing the in 991, United the English Sweyn King Æthelred paid a Danegeld (tribute) to Kingdoms Forkbeard ensure that the victorious band of Vikings left England. After growing frustrated by the Danish raiders in 1002, King Æthelred ordered the St. Brice’s Day massacre - the killing of Danes across the England.

This led to King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark invading in 1013. Æthelred fled to Normandy in 1013 and Sweyn ruled. When Sweyn died, Æthelred took the crown, and briefly his son, Who was Cnut? , but he died after a few months and was replaced by Sweyn’s son, Cnut ruled England, Denmark and Norway. Cnut or Canute. When Cnut ascended to the English throne, he immediately disbanded the majority of his Viking warriors. He raised 82,500 lbs (pounds) of silver and paid this as a Danegeld to the troops to return home. His Danegeld worked and he ruled England from 1016 until 1035.

22 • Lesson 6 Cnut’s time as King is remembered as wise and King Cnut and the sea successful. However, the church was responsible There is a famous story about King Cnut. One for detailing this period and as Cnut was a day, he walked out to the sea and held up his Christian, the records could be biased. Cnut hands. He told the tide to stop coming in. Some journeyed to Rome to attend the coronation of historians argue that the story shows Cnut’s the Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad II. He was the belief in God. They say that he was showing first Viking ruler to meet the Pope. that he knew his power was nothing compared to God. However, others believe that Cnut arrogantly believed the tide would stop, 2. True or false because he thought that he was so powerful.

Cnut was a Christian. True / False Cnut ruled Norway, True / False Scotland & Denmark. Cnut met the Pope. True / False

3. Priests in the church wrote that Cnut was a great leader. Do you think that we can trust this writing? Why might it be biased?

______4. Act out the story of King Cnut and the sea. Show with your expressions whether you think Cnut was being Redraft your response pious (religious) or arrogant (believed he was more powerful ______than he was). ______

Lesson 6 • 23 REACH OUT

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