7.12.2 Christian leadership Kings and chieftains adopting Christianity accelerated conversion. With many European leaders already Christian, Scandinavian rulers found it politically advantageous to convert. King Olaf Tryggvason imposed Christianity on Norway in 995 CE, reportedly destroying pagan temples, which means he probably faced resistance. Remote regions like northern Norway, Iceland and Greenland had little exposure to Christianity. By the end of St Olaf’s efforts, Christianity was firmly established in the Viking world.
SkillBuilder discussion Using historical sources 1. St Olaf converted Norway by forcing Christianity on his people. Why would he be remembered positively? 2. What aspects of the artefact on this image support his violent approach to conversion? 3. What material do you
SOURCE2 St Olaf with his axe, depicted on a fifteenth-century bishop’s crozier from Norway
think that this source might be made from? Hint: It is banned in Australia.
7.12.3 Peace settlement in France Vikings had raided the land of the Franks regularly over the centuries. In the ninth and tenth centuries, a group of Vikings, led by the warlord Rollo, once again carried out an attack. The King of the Franks, Charles III, came up with a solution to stop this and any future attacks from other Vikings. In 911 they signed the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, which gave an entire Frankish region including the city of Rouen to the Vikings. In return, Rollo and his descendants agreed to protect them from any further Viking attacks. Rollo integrated into French society and became the Duke of Normandy. The age of Viking attacks in France was over. 7.12.4 The last Viking attack on England When King Edward the Confessor of England died in 1066, he had no direct heir. Several people wanted the throne: • Harold Godwinson, a powerful earl • King Harald Hardrada of Norway, who claimed the throne as a descendant of King Canute • Duke William of Normandy, who said Harold had promised to support him. Harald Hardrada and his Norwegian army landed in northern England. They fought Harold Godwinson’s army at Stamford Bridge and were defeated. Hardrada and Tostig, Harold’s brother who had joined Hardrada, were killed. William of Normandy then sailed to England. Harold’s tired troops marched 700 kilometres south to meet William’s forces. In the Battle of Hastings, Harold was killed, and the Normans won. William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066, and became known as William the Conqueror. A Norman duke with Viking ancestry had become the King of England in what is known as the Norman Conquest.
TOPIC7 The Vikings 195
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