Vikings are as much an integral part of Great British history as the Romans, and it just so happens that Essex played a big part in both waves of invasions from these legendary forces. Naturally, Essex’s geographical positioning makes it a prime landing point for armies coming through Europe and those looking to attack key cities, like Londinium.

With such historical ties to the medieval people, it’s not surprising that there’s such interest in the Vikings in Essex. Of course, the Vikings and the ways of Norse are fascinating topics, but with Essex having staged some major battles and artifacts being dotted around the county, there’s certainly a special bond to them here.

Delving into the days of the Vikings

Source: Unsplash

In north-west Essex, there was a recent boon of discoveries for those who love their Viking history. Chief among them was a truly massive gold ring that was, presumably, worn by a distinctly large Viking warrior. Long before the finding of this particularly large and ornate ring, one was found in Thaxted and is now in the British Museum.

From real history to entertainment, you can see the draw of the Norse and the Vikings everywhere in popular content. It’s even seen among the top jackpot slots enjoyed by many across Essex. The hardest-hitting has to be Thunderstruck II Mega Moolah, headlined by Thor and the multi-million progressive jackpot.

On TV, and then on streaming, we’re also not far removed from the conclusion of the epic The Last Kingdom show. What started on the BBC and ended on Netflix, it recounted the days of the Saxons, Alfred the Great, and his descendants seeking to create a unified country and repel Viking invaders. The movie, Seven Kings Must Die, was an apt finale to the historical drama last year.

The legendary Battle of Maldon

Source: Pixabay

When the Vikings began to take lands in Britain, many couldn’t stand up to the overwhelming forces that suddenly arrived by sea. After all, the central powers were rarely situated right on the coastlines. Throw in that Vikings got their name at home for being men who felt the need to go off and fight, essentially, and it’d take some effort to repel the invaders.

In August 991 AD, forces led by Olaf – likely Olaf Tryggvason of Norway – sought to land in East Anglia, take Ipswich, and continue to head south. Up stepped Ealdorman of Essex Earl Byrhtnoth, who summoned a mostly militia force from Essex to stop the incursion. While they were able to fend off initial attacks from Northey Island and across its causeway, Byrhtnoth knew that they had to meet in battle and deplete the Viking forces.

So, that’s what they did. Unfortunately, many men fled thinking that Byrhtnoth had done so, but they spotted one of his underlings riding off on the Earl’s horse. Still, the two forces met in a brutal battle near Maldon. Eventually, the Vikings got to Byrhtnoth, slaying the ealdorman after sustaining huge losses at the hands of his army. It’s become a story of honor, in which Byrhtnoth had to meet the Vikings in battle to stop their raiding elsewhere.

While only one of many, many occasions that saw the native English attempt to fend off Viking incursions, this recount of a man from Essex just doing what he could to stop further damage elsewhere is quite a memorable one. Given such heroics in the history books, it’s not a surprise that the fascination with this period continues today.