The end of the Viking age
Throughout the Viking Age, there were many conflicts and battles between the Vikings and the English. In the 9th century, the English king, Alfred the Great forced the Vikings to leave the whole of western England. During the 10th Century the English reconquered many Viking areas. But in the early 11th century the whole of England was ruled by the Viking King Knut.
In 1066 England was conquered by William, the Duke of Normandy. This was the end of the Viking Age in England. In Scotland, powerful Viking earls continued to rule the islands and some of the mainland for hundreds of years. They were driven from the mainland in the mid-12th century, but remained in the northern islands for another 300 years.
Vikings built the magnificent cathedral at Kirkwall, Orkney in the 12th Century.
