ASPECTS OF BRITISH HISTORY
those from Norway (Norsemen) went mainly to
Scotland and Ireland. By 875, Danish Vikings had
conquered every English kingdom except Wessex.
The Division
Their conquest of England was halted when King Alfred of Wessex2 defeated the
Danes in a decisive battle and made a treaty with them in 878. By the terms of the
treaty, the Danes accepted Christianity. They also agreed to live in the north and east
of England – the area which was called the Danelaw3. In the rest of the country Alfred
was recognised as king.
One Kingdom Again
By 954, Wessex had conquered the Danelaw. But new Danish raiders came in the
late tenth century. The Danes regained most of England, and in 1016 Canute, king of
Denmark and Norway, also became king of England. On Canute's death his empire
collapsed. In 1042, the Witan chose Edward, a descendant of Alfred, to be king.
Forming One People
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