First Kings

Forget 1066 – the making of England began over a century earlier. When Viking armies first over-wintered in England, they opened a century of conflict and ambition. In Norway, Harald Fairhair rose from a regional chieftain to become its first king, while in England Alfred the Great preserved Wessex from conquest and laid the foundations for unity. His successors, Edward the Elder and Athelstan, extended that vision, leading to the creation of a single English kingdom after Athelstan’s decisive victory at Brunanburh in 937.

Meanwhile, Harald’s heirs struggled for Norway. Eric Bloodaxe briefly claimed the crown before being overthrown by his brother Hakon, fostered at Athelstan’s court. Exiled to Britain, Eric ruled in York until his violent death in 954, ending Norse kingship in England.

This is the turbulent century when kings rose and fell, and when England and Norway first took shape amid rivalry, warfare and shifting alliances.