Curated timeline

Viking Age

The era of the Norse seafarers. Raiders, traders, and explorers who expanded from Scandinavia to the British Isles, Russia, and North America.

• Raid on Lindisfarne (June 8, 793 CE)

  Viking attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne marks the traditional beginning of the Viking Age, shocking the Christian world.

• First Raids on Ireland (795 CE)

  Vikings attack Rathlin Island and Irish monasteries, beginning centuries of Norse involvement in Irish affairs.

• First Siege of Paris (845 CE)

  Ragnar Lodbrok leads 120 ships up the Seine River, besieging Paris and extracting 7,000 pounds of silver in tribute.

• Rurik Arrives in Novgorod (862 CE)

  Legendary founding of the Rurikid dynasty in Russia, establishing Norse rule over Slavic territories.

• The Great Heathen Army Invades England (865 CE)

  Massive Viking coalition invades England, conquering York, East Anglia, and Mercia before being stopped by Alfred.

• Settlement of Iceland Begins (874 CE)

  Ingólfur Arnarson establishes the first permanent Norse settlement in Iceland, beginning systematic colonization.

• Second Siege of Paris (885-886 CE)

  Prolonged Viking siege demonstrates military sophistication and leads to territorial concessions in France.

• Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte (911 CE)

  Rollo becomes the first Duke of Normandy, legitimizing Norse rule in northern France and founding Norman dynasty.

• Establishment of the Althing (930 CE)

  Iceland creates one of the world's first parliaments, representing a unique form of Norse democratic governance.

• Harald Bluetooth Converts Denmark (960 CE)

  Danish king officially converts to Christianity and begins Christianization of Denmark, marking major religious transformation.

• Erik the Red Explores Greenland (982 CE)

  After exile from Iceland, Erik the Red explores and names Greenland, establishing Norse settlements there.

• Battle of Maldon (August 11, 991 CE)

  Famous Anglo-Saxon defeat demonstrates continued Viking military effectiveness in England and inspires heroic poetry.

• Conversion of Norway Begins (995 CE)

  Olaf Tryggvason becomes king and begins forcible conversion of Norway to Christianity.

• Iceland Adopts Christianity (1000 CE)

  The Althing votes to make Christianity official religion while allowing private Norse pagan practice.

• Leif Erikson Reaches Vinland (c. 1000 CE)

  First confirmed European landing in North America, establishing temporary settlement in Newfoundland.

• Battle of Svolder (1000 CE)

  Naval battle results in death of Olaf Tryggvason and partition of Norway among Denmark, Sweden, and jarls.

• Battle of Clontarf (April 23, 1014 CE)

  Brian Boru defeats Viking coalition in Ireland, though both he and many Viking leaders die in the battle.

• Cnut Becomes King of England (1016 CE)

  Danish prince Cnut the Great defeats Edmund Ironside, establishing the North Sea Empire.

• Battle of Carham (1018 CE)

  Scottish victory helps establish modern Anglo-Scottish border and reduces Norse influence in northern Britain.

• Battle of Stiklestad (July 29, 1030 CE)

  Olaf Haraldsson dies fighting for Norwegian throne, later becoming Saint Olaf and symbol of Christian Norway.

• Death of Cnut the Great (November 12, 1035 CE)

  Death of the North Sea Empire ruler leads to fragmentation and eventual end of Danish rule in England.

• Magnus the Good Unites Norway and Denmark (1042 CE)

  Norwegian king inherits Danish throne, briefly reuniting Scandinavian kingdoms.

• Edward the Confessor Becomes King (1042 CE)

  Anglo-Saxon restoration in England ends Danish rule and sets stage for 1066 succession crisis.

• Harald Hardrada Becomes King of Norway (1047 CE)

  The last great Viking warrior-king takes Norwegian throne after career as Varangian Guard commander.

• Great Schism (1054 CE)

  Split between Eastern and Western Christianity affects Viking trade routes and political alliances.

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