FOUNDING OF BIRKA
The city of Birka in Sweden is established by a Viking king. The city becomes an important centre for trade and commerce with links to wider Europe.
VIKINGS RAID LINDISFARNE
The island of Lindisfarne in the Kingdom of Northumbria is attacked by Vikings. Though not the first Viking raid in England, it is the most shocking as Lindisfarne is a holy place. The attack on the monastery terrifies England.
RAIDS IN IRELAND
Islands to the north and west of Ireland first begin to be pillaged by the Vikings. In the next century, Vikings make permanent settlements on mainland Ireland.
OSEBERG SHIP BURIED
The Oseberg ship is preserved when it is buried along with two women in southeastern Norway. One of the finest examples of a Viking ship still in existence, it is later discovered in 1903 and excavated the following year.
VIKINGS IN SEVILLE
After plundering elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula, the Vikings raid Seville. The city is reclaimed by its Muslim leaders and the Vikings flee.
RAIDS ACROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN
Björn Ironside launches a series of raids along the Mediterranean coast. He sacks towns in both Spain and Portugal as well as travelling to North Africa where he takes slaves. His looting voyage continues towards France and then Italy.
CONSTANTINOPLE RAIDED
The Viking Rus’ besiege the city of Constantinople. They do not attempt to penetrate the city walls, but raid nearby areas and later attack the city twice more.
DISCOVERY OF ICELAND
Naddodd, a Norse Viking, is credited with discovering Iceland after his ship blows off course, according to the Landnámabók. Scandinavians then begin to settle there.
VIKINGS IN YORK
Ivar the Boneless leads a Viking army and captures the English city now known as York. The city is renamed Jorvik and becomes a prominent economic centre.
THE DANELAW AGREED
In an agreement between Alfred the Great of Wessex and Viking Guthrum, after Guthrum’s defeat in battle, England is split apart and the area known as the Danelaw is to be formally ruled by the Vikings. Guthrum converts to Christianity.
SIEGE OF PARIS
Viking ships row up the Seine and attack Paris. The siege lasts nearly a year but the Vikings are fended off by Frankish forces.
ROLLO TAKES NORMANDY
After unsuccessfully besieging Paris and Chartres, the Viking Rollo is given Normandy by the French King in return for his allegiance. Rollo converts to Christianity.
KINGDOM OF THE ENGLISH
Anglo-Saxon Kin
