Ivar the Boneless Biography and Timeline

Rule of Dublin

Ivar emerges as a leading Norse ruler in Dublin before later campaigns in Britain.

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Great Army

Lands in England as a leader of the "Great Army"

Invasion of England

Lands in England as a leader of the "Great Army"

Great Heathen Army

Ivar brought the Great Heathen Army into East Anglia and secured horses and provisions from the local population.

Great Heathen Army

Ivar the Boneless helps lead the Great Heathen Army after it lands in East Anglia and begins the conquest campaign.

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Great Heathen Army

The Great Heathen Army winters in East Anglia and receives tribute while preparing further campaigns in England.

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Invasion of England

Danish raiders under leaders including Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan arrive in East Anglia and establish a winter base.

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Winter Camp

Ivar's army winters in East Anglia after receiving horses and tribute from King Edmund.

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Capture of York

Ivar helped seize York, creating the principal Scandinavian political centre in northern England.

Capture of York

The Danes capture York and make it a major Viking stronghold in Northumbria.

Role range: 0865-0873

Great Heathen Army

Ivar helps capture York while Northumbria is weakened by rivalry between Aella and Osberht.

Role range: 0865-0873

Invasion of Northumbria

Ivar leads Danish forces north while Northumbria is weakened by rivalry between Aella and Osberht.

Role range: 0865-0873

Invasion of Northumbria

The Danes move north into Northumbria, exploiting conflict between Osberht and Aella.

Role range: 0865-0873

Battle of York

Ivar's forces defeat the Northumbrian counterattack at York and destroy the armies of Aella and Osberht.

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Death of Aella

Aella of Northumbria is killed after the Viking victory at York, ending organised Northumbrian resistance.

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Death of Osberht

Osberht of Northumbria is killed during the failed Northumbrian attempt to retake York from the Danes.

Role range: 0865-0873

Capture of York

Helps capture York as a leader of the "Great Army". Establishes a Danish Viking Kingdom in York

Great Army

Helps capture York as a leader of the "Great Army"

Invasion of Mercia

The Vikings invade Mercia but are driven back

Rule of Northumbria

Northumbria becomes a Viking client state, Egbert is installed as a puppet ruler

Conquest of Northumbria

Ivar defeated the rival Northumbrian kings and established Scandinavian control around York.

Invasion of Mercia

Ivar and the Great Heathen Army move south into Mercia and seize Nottingham as a winter base.

Role range: 0865-0873

Great Heathen Army

Ivar's army occupies Nottingham and forces Mercia and Wessex into negotiations rather than decisive battle.

Role range: 0865-0873

Truce

Mercia and Wessex fail to retake Nottingham, and a truce allows the Danes to withdraw back toward York.

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Capture of East Anglia

The Vikings invade East Anglia

Danelaw

Ivar the Boneless returns and demands tribute from King Edmund of East Anglia

Invasion of England

The Vikings invade East Anglia & murder King Edmund

Conquest of East Anglia

Ivar participated in the campaign that destroyed the independent East Anglian monarchy.

Great Heathen Army

The Great Heathen Army returns to East Anglia and winters at Thetford before attacking King Edmund.

Role range: 0865-0873

Return to East Anglia

Ivar and the Danish army return to East Anglia after consolidating their position in Northumbria and Mercia.

Role range: 0865-0873

Conquest of East Anglia

Ivar is associated with the Danish conquest of East Anglia and the defeat of King Edmund.

Role range: 0865-0873

Death of Ivar the Boneless

Death of Ivar the Boneless, of natural causes

Capture of Mercia

Mercia comes under attack & Ivar sets up an HQ in Repton, the heart of Mercia

HQ

Mercia comes under attack & Ivar sets up an HQ in Repton, the heart of Mercia

Succession

Succeeds as King of Mercia