A highly illustrated look at the Viking Great Army of the late 9th century and its efforts to conquer England and defeat the Anglo-Saxons. 
 
In the late 800s, the Vikings arrived in England, transitioning from short-term raiding to conquest and settlement. The 'Great Army' was a composite of multiple leaders, operating in a series of flexible but unstable alliances. Campaigning for years at a time, over-wintering in bases in hostile territory, they came to dominate parts of the country. Their expansion led to the conquest of two major kingdoms and part of a third. Only the successful defence of Wessex by Alfred the Great halted their advance, laying the foundation for Alfred's successors to expand their authority across England.
 
Expert historian Gareth Williams examines the struggles between the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons, reassessing the traditional historical sources in light of recent archaeological discoveries. He charts the Vikings’ most successful campaigns and reveals how the Anglo-Saxons adapted to counter their tactics. Featuring detailed artwork, maps and diagrams, this book provides new insights into a military campaign that ultimately led to the foundation of England.