England Before England | The Viking Kings of Northumbria

Before England was England, the north was a land of rival kingdoms. Bernicia and Deira rose through war and bloodshed before being forged into Northumbria—a realm of warrior kings, ancient halls, sacred islands and golden monasteries. Under rulers such as Edwin, Oswald and Oswiu, Northumbria became one of the greatest powers in Britain. But glory gave way to division. Kings were overthrown, dynasties turned upon one another, and the northern kingdom weakened. Then sails appeared beyond the horizon. First came the raiders. Then came an army. In 865, the Great Heathen Army swept across England. Led by legendary Viking warlords, including Halfdan Ragnarsson, it shattered Northumbria, seized York and ended the rule of its old Anglo-Saxon kings. From the ruins rose a new Viking kingdom in the north.

Across the Irish Sea, the rulers of Dublin watched and waited. The Uí Ímair dynasty, masters of ships, silver and war, claimed both Dublin and York, binding Ireland and Northumbria together in a struggle for power that crossed the sea. But in the south, the descendants of Alfred the Great were rising. Edward the Elder and Æthelflæd broke the strength of the Danelaw. Then Æthelstan marched north, took York and became the first king to rule all England. Yet after his death, the Viking kings returned, and his brothers Edmund and Eadred were forced to fight for the kingdom he had created. At last came Eric Bloodaxe—the final Viking king of York. His fall marked the end of an age. This is the story of Northumbria: born from war, crowned in glory, conquered by Vikings and drawn into the making of England. A story of Saxon kings, Norse warlords, Irish Sea dynasties and the final battle for the north.

Music by: Savfk - Music
The Hunt by Savfk [CC-BY royalty free music - orchestral epic emotional]
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXOeFWpFlgY

00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:14 Halfdan Ragnarsson
00:11:02 Guthred Hardacnutsson
00:13:52 Siefredus & Cnut
00:17:23 Eowils and Halfdan
00:21:17 Ragnall ua Ímair
00:27:25 Sitric Cáech
00:33:16 Guthfrith of Ivar
00:37:28 Olaf Guthfrithson
00:44:08 Olaf Sigtryggsson
00:51:01 Eric Bloodaxe

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