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The Vikings: raids, the Danelaw and Danegeld

Study note

The Vikings came from two Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Norway. They first appeared in Britain in AD 789, not as settlers but as raiders. They attacked coastal towns and carried off whatever they could, including goods and slaves.

In time the Vikings did more than raid. They began to settle, especially in the east of England and in Scotland, making permanent homes among the people already living there.

The region of eastern and northern England where they settled became known as the Danelaw, a name worth remembering. Their presence left a lasting mark on the map, as many place names in these areas, such as Grimsby and Scunthorpe, come from the Viking languages. The key facts here are that the Vikings came from Denmark and Norway, raided first in AD 789, and gave their settled region the name the Danelaw.

Memory tip: Vikings from Denmark and Norway; first raids AD 789; settled area = the Danelaw.

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Question 1 of 4

From which two countries did the Vikings come?

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Show all questions and answers for The Vikings: raids, the Danelaw and Danegeld(4 questions with explanations)

The Vikings: raids, the Danelaw and Danegeld: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. From which two countries did the Vikings come?

    • France and Germany
    • Ireland and Scotland
    • Denmark and Norway
    • Spain and Italy

    Correct answer: Denmark and Norway

    The Vikings came from Denmark and Norway.

  2. 2. In which year did the Vikings first visit Britain to raid?

    • AD 410
    • AD 789
    • AD 43
    • AD 1066

    Correct answer: AD 789

    The Vikings first raided Britain in AD 789.

  3. 3. What was the name of the area in eastern and northern England settled by the Vikings?

    • Wessex
    • The Pale
    • Mercia
    • The Danelaw

    Correct answer: The Danelaw

    The Viking-settled area of England was known as the Danelaw.

  4. 4. When the Vikings first raided coastal towns in AD 789, what did they take besides goods?

    • horses
    • books
    • coins
    • slaves

    Correct answer: slaves

    The early Viking raids took goods and slaves from coastal towns.

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