Year 10 - History
The Danish conquest
Britain: Migration, empires and the people - c790 to the present day
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about a theme in British history over a period of roughly 1000 years. They examine this theme, analysing the impact it had in Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial and Modern Britain, with a particular focus on change and continuity.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how the Vikings led by Cnut conquered England in 1016, bringing England into the North Sea Empire.
Key Notes
- The Anglo-Saxon defeat against the Vikings in the 991 Battle of Maldon led to the Danegeld.
- Aethelred provoked the Danish Vikings by ordering the massacre of all Danes during the St Brice's Day Massacre in 1002.
- In 1016 King Cnut invaded and conquered England and became king.
- Under King Cnut, England became part of the North Sea Empire which included Denmark and Norway.
- After the early violence of invasion, Cnut's reign saw a period of peace in England.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Viking: a member of the Scandinavian seafaring people who raided Britain from the late 8th century
- Danegeld: the name of the Anglo-Saxon tax used to defend England against Viking invasions
- empire: a group of countries or territories ruled from the centre by another country or person
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Vikings come from Norway.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The Anglo-Saxon defeat against the Vikings in the 991 Battle of Maldon led to the Danegeld. Aethelred provoked the Danish Vikings by ordering the massacre of all Danes during the St Brice's Day Massacre in 1002.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Viking'
a member of the Scandinavian seafaring people who raided Britain from the late 8th century.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Vikings come from Norway. Correction: Whilst Vikings did come from Norway, some of the most problematic Vikings from an English perspective came from Denmark. Vikings also came from Sweden.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Angevin Empire Study Guide
- Cecil Rhodes and the Boer War Study Guide
- Experience of post-WW2 migrants in Britain Study Guide
- Factors causing westward migration Study Guide
- Huguenot migration Study Guide
- Impact of conquest and settlement on medieval Britain Study Guide
- Impact of empire on migration in and out of Britain Study Guide
- Irish migration to Britain in the 19th century Study Guide
- Jewish migration to Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries Study Guide
- Movement within the British Empire Study Guide
- Post war migration to Britain: Migration from East Africa Study Guide
- Post war migration to Britain: The Falklands Study Guide
- Post war migration to Britain: The Windrush generation Study Guide
- The arrival of the Vikings Study Guide
- The colonisation of North America Study Guide
- The end of the British Empire in the 20th century Study Guide
- The Hundred Years' War Study Guide
- The impact of British rule in India Study Guide
- The impact of imperial propaganda in the 19th century Study Guide
- The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain Study Guide
- The impact of the World Wars on migration to and from Britain Study Guide
- The Indian Rebellion Study Guide
- The Norman conquest (1066) Study Guide
- The origins of British rule in India Study Guide
- The scramble for Africa Study Guide
- The Transatlantic Slave Trade Study Guide
- The War of Independence Study Guide
- Ulster Plantations and Highland Clearances Study Guide
- What sources can tell us about the expansion of Empire Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 History guide library.