This was to be the first of many raids which were launched against Britain in the following centuries, with Norse raiding parties attacking areas in Scotland, the Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides, Isle of Man and Ireland. The Vikings had become a dominating military and naval force and in 793 a group of Norwegian Vikings attacked the famous abbey at Lindisfarne. In Northern Europe, the Vikings had set their sights on the British Isles, keen to embark on successful naval expeditions in search of territory, wealth and prestige. The late eighth century and early ninth century was a time of action, land-grabs, conquest and raiding parties. The Danelaw was at its pinnacle an all-encompassing territory which spread from London to East Anglia, through the Midlands and up to the north of England. The term essentially refers to the areas under Danish laws and customs, later expanding in understanding to mean the geographical boundaries designated by the agreement. The reference to Danelaw is found in one of the most important sources for this period, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. These five crucial locations included Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Stamford and Lincoln, which by the ninth century were under the sway and control of the Vikings. The five boroughs of Danelaw were the five most important towns existing under Danish law and customs, located in the territory of Danish Mercia.

Last kingdom map of england