Vikings in England! Trivia Quiz

Answer: He commanded the death of all Danish men living in England

In 1002 A.D., the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that Aethelred "gave an order to slay all the Danes that were in England". The anonymous chronicler adds that Aethelred believed the Danes planned to kill him and take over his kingdom. Unfortunately, one of the victims of the massacre was a lady named Gunnhild, who was Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard's sister. Sweyn's honor code required him to retaliate against such a personal blow.

Answer: His warriors brutally killed an English archbishop

In 1012 A.D., Danish warriors seized Archbishop Aelfheah. He refused to pay ransom for his release, and begged others not to pay it either. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle woefully laments the way the enraged Vikings killed the archbishop: "They overwhelmed him with bones and horns of oxen; and one of them smote him with an axe-iron on the head". Apparently, this crime appalled Thorkell the Tall so much that he could no longer command the Danes.

He soon afterward gave his service to Aethelred.

Answer: Normandy

Aethelred fled to Normandy, a French duchy. Aethelred was married to Emma of Normandy, the Norman duke's sister. Due to his alliance with Emma, Aethelred had a brief respite and place to land after the Danes seized his kingdom.

Answer: Sweyn Forkbeard died unexpectedly

After all the fighting and glory of victory, Sweyn Forkbeard died in an anti-climactic end to his career. He left behind two sons, Harald and Canute, and two kingdoms (Denmark and England). Neither son had yet gained a formidable reputation, so Aethelred felt safe in coming back for another chance at his legacy.

Answer: He mutilated them

One of the few truly brutal acts of Canute's career included mutilating the hostages that had been given to him. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle exposes the treatment the hostages received from Canute: "he cut off their hands and ears and their noses".

Answer: Aethelred killed his brother Hemming

Tradition garnered from Scandinavian sagas insists that Hemming, Thorkell's brother, was killed on Aethelred's orders. Thus, Thorkell suddenly reappears as Canute's supporter.

Answer: He married the widow of Aethelred's enemy

Aethelred was involved in the murder of two Saxon noblemen, Morcar and Siferth. After killing these men, he took control over their properties and wealth, and held captive Siferth's wife. Shockingly, Edmund freed Siferth's widow, married her himself, and reclaimed her rightful estate.

Answer: The Vikings

The Battle of Ashingdon was a decisive victory for Canute and the Danes. Edmund Ironside lost many of his leading warriors and statesmen in this crucial battle. After Ashingdon, Canute was in a position to become master over all England.

Answer: To divide the country between the two of them

Canute and Edmund made a remarkable treaty: to divide England between the two of them. Edmund was to retain his ancient kingdom of Wessex, while Canute would become the master of the country north of the Thames. Additionally, Edmund agreed to pay Canute's army, as the Danes had been the ultimate victors.

Answer: Edmund Ironside died inexplicably

On November 30, 1016, Edmund Ironside died. No certain cause is known, though many theories abound. The two most popular include: Canute secretly had Edmund killed; or, Edmund died of a festering battle wound. Either way, by November, England was in the hands of a young, ambitious Viking named Canute. Though Canute's reign in England began with a bloodbath of war, he eventually became known as one England's greatest monarchs.