# A large Viking army winters in England (851)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/851-a-large-viking-army-winters-in-england
Categories: main-event

Viking forces remained through the winter instead of returning to Scandinavia after raiding. 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 851 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. Permanent wintering marked a shift from seasonal plunder toward sustained conquest and settlement.

## Why it matters
Permanent wintering marked a shift from seasonal plunder toward sustained conquest and settlement.

Ruler at the time: [Æthelwulf](https://english-history.com/rulers/aethelwulf)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — A large Viking army winters in England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=A+large+Viking+army+winters+in+England&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — A large Viking army winters in England](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=A+large+Viking+army+winters+in+England)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)