Negative Effects Of Vikings
Throughout the years "The word 'Viking ' has come to describe a whole new age in Europe between about 800 [CE] and 1150 [CE]" (Ritchie 3). Really this word generally describes one who pillages, plunders, and sails; a pirate. In the Middle Ages, especially during the 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries, there were constant raids in England and all throughout Europe by these pirates, and "during the 9th century these raids became increasingly large-scale" (Millett 1). Naturally these invasions had drastic negative affects on the people who were victimized. The Vikings who invaded England and Europe were from Norway and Denmark (Ritchie 3). "Nowhere was safe from the Vikings" (Ritchie 2), especially England. The invasions of the Vikings into England
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When the Vikings learned of this order they became even more determined then ever to conquer all of England (Davies 1). King Aethelred, who realized that he could not beat the Vikings, decided instead to continue to pay them a tribute to keep the peace between them and his people. Being greedy, the Vikings continued to return and threateningly asked for more money from King Aethelred. Knowing that soon the English could no longer pay this tax, King Aethelred realized he had no choice but to fight the Danes. As expected, King Aethelred 's army was nothing compared to the Great Army. In 1016 CE Cnut, the Viking leader, became King Cnut of England (Cook 4). However, this was not a bad step for the people of England at all. King Cnut was able to apply his Viking past to his new role, and he rose to the occasion of being a marvelous King. It was easy to see by his actions that "Cnut was a Christian when he became King but he retained the mentality of a Viking" (Bakken 2). King Cnut was able to conquer more lands and eventually turn his one country into a successful empire (Davies 4). In fact, Cnut was such a good King that "England became so secure that Cnut could frequently leave the country to settle affairs elsewhere in his empire" (Millett 1). Naturally the people of England benefited from this sudden security opposed to the past frequent and unpredictable Viking
When the Vikings learned of this order they became even more determined then ever to conquer all of England (Davies 1). King Aethelred, who realized that he could not beat the Vikings, decided instead to continue to pay them a tribute to keep the peace between them and his people. Being greedy, the Vikings continued to return and threateningly asked for more money from King Aethelred. Knowing that soon the English could no longer pay this tax, King Aethelred realized he had no choice but to fight the Danes. As expected, King Aethelred 's army was nothing compared to the Great Army. In 1016 CE Cnut, the Viking leader, became King Cnut of England (Cook 4). However, this was not a bad step for the people of England at all. King Cnut was able to apply his Viking past to his new role, and he rose to the occasion of being a marvelous King. It was easy to see by his actions that "Cnut was a Christian when he became King but he retained the mentality of a Viking" (Bakken 2). King Cnut was able to conquer more lands and eventually turn his one country into a successful empire (Davies 4). In fact, Cnut was such a good King that "England became so secure that Cnut could frequently leave the country to settle affairs elsewhere in his empire" (Millett 1). Naturally the people of England benefited from this sudden security opposed to the past frequent and unpredictable Viking