First Kings

After decades of devastating raids, Viking armies first overwintered in England in 850. In doing so, they opened a century of conflict and reaching ambition.

In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors extended that vision, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after Athelstan’s decisive victory at Brunanburh in 937.

Meanwhile, the struggle for Norway’s throne erupted among Harald’s heirs, with Eric Bloodaxe briefly claiming the Crown before being overthrown by his younger brother Hakon. Upon fleeing to Britain, Eric was allowed the York throne by King Edred, which he retained until his violent death in 954. There would be no more kings in York.

This turbulent century saw kings rise and fall; it saw rivalry, betrayal and open conflict. Out of the chaos of shifting allegiances and warfare, England and Norway began to take shape as the countries we know today.