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What was it like to be a Viking in the Great Heathen Army?

What was it like to be a Viking in the Great Heathen Army?

When a Viking force unlike any before it landed in England in the 9th century, it changed everything. HistoryExtra’s James Osborne explores how this formidable army was formed…

James Osborne

Published: May 1, 2026 at 9:25 AM

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Known to contemporaries as the Great Heathen Army, this was no ordinary raid. It was a coordinated invasion, bringing together warriors from across Scandinavia with a clear aim: conquest.

HistoryExtra’s James Osborne explores how this formidable army was formed, and how it swept through Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, toppling rulers, seizing territory, and reshaping the political landscape of England. From the fall of Northumbria to the struggles of Wessex, it's the story of a turning point in British history.

How did the army come together, and what was it like to travel and camp with them? Who were the leaders behind the army? Why did they come? And how did Anglo-Saxon kings respond to this new kind of threat? You'll hear expertise from historian and broadcaster Dr Eleanor Barraclough, who takes us inside life in the camps.

Drawing on historical sources and archaeological evidence, we reveal how the Great Heathen Army transformed England and paved the way for the Viking age in Britain.

Authors

James OsborneSenior content producer

James Osborne is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra