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Danegeld. Following the Viking victory at the Battle of Maldon, in Essex, King Aethelred
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Danegeld. Following the Viking victory at the Battle of Maldon, in Essex, King Aethelred
Following the Viking victory at the Battle of Maldon, in Essex, King Aethelred (the Unready) is advised to pay off the Vikings rather than continue the fight. This was the first of several such payments, which came to be known as Danegeld (Danish tax) Date: 991
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Aethelred Danes Danish Ethelred Maldon Money Payment Payments Taxes Victory Viking Vikings Danegeld
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative image, King Aethelred II of England (963-1016 AD), also known as Aethelred the Unready, stands resolute amidst the chaos of the aftermath of the Battle of Maldon. The year is 991 AD, and the Vikings, led by the fearsome Olaf Tryggvason, have emerged victorious in this significant engagement fought on the shores of the River Blackwater in Essex, England. The battle, one of the most famous in English history, marked the beginning of a series of Danish invasions that would plague England for decades. Faced with the grim reality of continued conflict and the prospect of further defeats, King Aethelred was advised by his counselors to pay off the Vikings rather than risk another battle. This payment, the first of several such Danegeld (Danish taxes), was a heavy financial burden for the English treasury, but it bought a temporary respite from the threat of Viking invasion. The king, depicted here in regal attire and holding a scepter, is shown contemplating the difficult decision before him. The defeated English soldiers and civilians, huddled in the background, bear witness to the king's momentous decision. The Vikings, triumphant and well-armed, stand at the water's edge, their longships ready to sail away with their hard-earned spoils. This poignant scene encapsulates the political and military realities of the late Anglo-Saxon period, a time when England was repeatedly tested by the might of the Viking world. The Danegeld payments would continue for over a century, shaping the political landscape of England and ultimately contributing to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This powerful image serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the Viking invasions on the history of England.
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