# Sweyn Forkbeard conquers England (1013)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1013-sweyn-forkbeard-conquers-england
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

King Sweyn forced Æthelred into exile and was accepted as king. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 1013 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His conquest marked the first successful Danish takeover of the English throne.

## Why it matters
His conquest marked the first successful Danish takeover of the English throne.

Ruler at the time: [Sweyn Forkbeard](https://english-history.com/rulers/sweyn-forkbeard)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Sweyn Forkbeard conquers England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Sweyn+Forkbeard+conquers+England&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Sweyn Forkbeard conquers England](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Sweyn+Forkbeard+conquers+England)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)