The Great Heathen Army
I can describe how the Vikings took over more and more of Britain in the 800s CE.
The Great Heathen Army
I can describe how the Vikings took over more and more of Britain in the 800s CE.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Viking raids increased in number throughout the 800s CE, and by 850 they had begun to make winter camps in Britain.
- In 865 CE, the biggest Viking army ever to have come to Britain arrived in East Anglia: The Great Heathen Army.
- By 869, the Vikings had won key battles against Northumbria and East Anglia while Mercia had bribed them not to attack.
- Only Wessex, which controlled most of southern Britain, remained in resistance to the Vikings.
Keywords
Heathen - a heathen is a person who does not belong to a widely held religion
East Anglia - East Anglia was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the east of England
Northumbria - Northumbria was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in northeastern England
Mercia - Mercia was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is the Midlands in England today
Wessex - Wessex was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the south of England
Common misconception
Pupils may not understand that Britain was formed of separate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
At this time, Britain was formed of four separate kingdoms: East Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia and Wessex.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the east of England
an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in northeastern England
an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is the Midlands in England today
an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the south of England