The Viking Threat
The greatest challenge of Æthelred’s reign was the renewed threat of Viking invasions. After a lull in Viking activity during the reigns of his predecessors, England found itself once again under siege. Beginning in the 980s, Viking raids resumed with increasing ferocity. In 991, the Battle of Maldon saw a famous (and disastrous) defeat for the English.
In response, Æthelred adopted a controversial strategy: paying off the Vikings. These payments, known as Danegeld, were meant to buy peace. Though temporarily effective, they ultimately emboldened the Vikings, who came to see England as a kingdom that could be extorted.
By 1013, the Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard launched a full-scale invasion, and Æthelred was forced to flee to Normandy. For a brief time, England had a Danish king. Though Æthelred returned in 1014 after Sweyn’s death, the stability of his rule had been fatally compromised.
One of the darkest episodes of Æthelred’s reign occurred on St. Brice’s Day, November 13, 1002. Æthelred ordered the massacre of Danes living in England, fearing they would aid the Viking invaders. This act of ethnic violence included the killing of Danish men, women, and children, and possibly members of the Danish aristocracy.
The massacre failed to deter Viking aggression and may have provoked even harsher retaliation. It likely enraged Sweyn Forkbeard, who is thought to have launched his later invasions as vengeance for the massacre. shutdown123