When the Great Viking Army swept across England in the 9th century, they left clear archaeological evidence of their activities. It is notoriously difficult to pin down specific historical events in the material record, but earlier Viking invasions have left visible footprints. These often dramatic descriptions colourfully evoke the events of his campaign, but how far has this game-changing period left its mark on archaeology? On campaign
It is described in historical and literary sources ranging from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Encomium Emmae Reginae (produced in 1041 or 1042 in honour of Queen Emma of Normandy – the widow of Edmund’s father and predecessor, Aethelred the Unready – whom Cnut married in 1017) to Old Norse praise poetry: the conqueror’s achievements are lauded in compositions such as the 11th-century Knútsdrápa, which includes an account of the Battle of Assandun, and the Liðsmannaflokkr, which describes Cnut besieging London. The Viking conquest has left a vivid legacy in the written record. This ship is of the right date to have formed part of Cnut’s invasion fleet. The partial remains of Roskilde 6, the longest Viking warship yet discovered, on display at the British Museum during their Vikings: Life and Legend exhibition. This was not long in coming: Edmund only lived another few weeks, and from 30 November all of England lay under Danish rule, as it would remain until 1042. In the resulting negotiations, the country was divided between the two men, with all of England north of the Thames ceded to Cnut, and an agreement forged that Edmund’s southern portion would also go to the Dane after the Anglo-Saxon king’s death. His campaign was swift and bloody, climaxing in a decisive meeting with Edmund’s army in Essex that saw the Danes seize the day, and left Edmund grievously wounded.
In 1015, however, he was back, at the head of his own fleet of 200 longships. Although Svein was victorious, he died unexpectedly the following year, and Cnut fled home. In 1013, a teenage Cnut had accompanied his father, King Svein Forkbeard, on the Danish ruler’s own attempt at conquest. Runestones such as U194 in Uppland, Sweden, record the deeds of members of his retinue but how far can we trace his footprints on this side of the North Sea? Photo: Berig. He reigned until 1035 and placed the country under Viking rule until 1042. In 1016, Cnut of Denmark conquered England.
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