The Viking raids in England are a landmark of the late High Middle Ages. They begin with the powerful Ragnar Lotbhrok who after several raids ended up conquering several lands in England. The arrival of the great Viking Army marks the beginning of a new phase where conquest and colonization take precedence over occasional offensives. In the years that followed, the Grand Army captured much of the North and East of England. This region takes the name of Danelaw and becomes a true Scandinavian settlement. The Vikings are a trade-oriented people, which they will quickly expand thanks to their powerful ship like the knarr, a Viking merchant ship that can carry large quantities. On the side of the Saxons despite the loss of several territories, they still remain quite strong including Wessex as well as Mercia which by allying succeed in pushing back the pagans who try to take their kingdoms. The Viking invasions had social and political impacts on England. Social consequences, because the Scandinavian populations will unite with the Aboriginals. Political consequences, the Viking invasions will incite the Anglo-Saxon elites to unite forming the beginnings of the kingdom of England. Worshiping on one side several gods while on the other side only one god rules the world, the two camps sometimes have debates that can end in bloodshed.
