The TV series Vikings is inspired by the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel). Lothbrok was a Viking hero who lead successful raids in England and his sons continued his legacy by forming the Great Heathen Army who continued to invade Anglo-Saxon England for over 200 years. The Viking Age came to an end in 1066 with the battle of Stamford Bridge when Viking forces were defeated by English forces led by King Harold Godwinson. However, Viking influence was not wiped out as the next King of England was a descendant of Lothbrok’s brother Rollo (Clive Standen).
When was the Norman Invasion of England?
The Norman Invasion of England, also known as the Norman Conquest of England, took place in the early 11th century, beginning in September 1066.
The invasion was led by the Duke of Normandy, later known as William the Conqueror. He led an army made up Norma, Breton, Flemish and French soldiers from Normandy (present-day France) to Anglo-Saxon England.
Unfortunately, it remains unknown the exact size of William’s forces, but contemporary writers estimate there were between 14,000 and 150,000 men in total.
The Norweigan King Harald Hardrada had invaded Northern England in 1066 but was defeated by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 on September 25.
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The Battle of Stamford Bridge may feature in the final series of Vikings as it represented the end of the Viking Age, which had begun in 793.
However, things were not over for the Anglo-Saxon army who faced an invasion from an army whose leader was of Viking descent.
When King Harold arrived in the south of England, within days William’s army approached from the north.
Harold and William’s armies came face to face at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066.
William the Conqueror’s Norman army was victorious and Harold was killed in the battle.
William and his army then marched from Kent to London and defeated an English army that challenged him at Southwark.
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However, William was unable to storm London Bridge as planned and his arrival in London was delayed.
At the end of October, the English leaders had submitted to William and on December 25, 1066, William was crowned the first Norman King of England.
Throughout this reign, he faced numerous rebellions and uprisings from the English elite and he was arguably not secure on his throne until 1072.
Norman rule did not end until 1204 when England was defeated by Phillip II and the French invasion of Normandy.
As part of the Treaty of Le Goulet, England lost Normandy, Anjou and Maine to France, ending England’s links with Normandy.
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Who was William the Conquerer?
William I, also known as William the Conqueror was the first Norman King of England.
He reigned from 1066 until his death in 1087. After his death, Normandy was ruled by his brother Robert II and England to his second son William II.
William was a descendant of the Viking Rollo who became the first ruler of Normandy in 911 until 928.
From 1035, he was Duke of Normandy and ruled the country from 1060 following a significant struggle to claim the throne.
As William was an illegitimate child to his father Robert I, Duke of Normandy and his mistress Herleva, his claim to the throne was challenged by the Norman aristocracy.
In the 1050s and 1060s, William had become a serious contender for the throne of England when his first cousin, King of Wessex, Edward the Confessor left no heirs.
However, powerful English earl Harold Godwinson succeeded to the throne after Edward named him as King on his deathbed in January 1066.
As a result, in September 1066, William sailed to England with an army to reclaim his right to the throne.
After defeating Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings and being crowned King of England on December 25, 1066, in London he returned to Normandy in 1067 until his death in 1087.
Vikings season 6 premieres Wednesday, December 4 on History and Thursday, December 5 on Amazon Prime Video