# Sweyn Forkbeard and Olaf Tryggvason attack London (994)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/994-sweyn-forkbeard-and-olaf-tryggvason-attack-london
Categories: battle

A major Scandinavian fleet attacked England and extracted payment. 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 994 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The campaign showed the growing inability of Æthelred's government to deter Viking armies.

## Why it matters
The campaign showed the growing inability of Æthelred's government to deter Viking armies.

Ruler at the time: [Æthelred the Unready](https://english-history.com/rulers/aethelred-the-unready)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Sweyn Forkbeard and Olaf Tryggvason attack London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Sweyn+Forkbeard+and+Olaf+Tryggvason+attack+London&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Sweyn Forkbeard and Olaf Tryggvason attack London](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Sweyn+Forkbeard+and+Olaf+Tryggvason+attack+London)
- [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)