Historical Facts

Logistics of Viking Army
Equipping and supplying army was a vastly different undertaking in the 8th century than it was in the period.

During the earlier part of the Viking Age decentralized power was unable to raise large forces without the consent of local warlords.

These need not have been any more powerful than the hersir. Regional forces would have have been raised and equipped within their own area of habitation.

The later laws (Hirdskra) for the defense of Norway on a territorial basis are a let survival of this.

The clan and tribe would each play their part in making possible to mount an expedition.

Origination of war effort would rest with local landowners, who would also be the leaders of society.

The semi-legendary Ragnar Lodbrok, who was the leader of the earliest manifestation of the Great Army in England, appears to have laid claim to royal status.

It would seem that as with the ancient clan system, the reality of power lay with his aett.

The son of Lodbrok (who may not have been blood relatives) were said to have conquered the northern kingdoms of the heptarchy in revenge for their ‘father’ having been executed in Northumbria.

The Great Army worked on a series of interlocking loyalties that were not immutable.

The campaigns of the army show that smaller groups were at liberty to conduct minor operations.

One of the Lodbroksons was killed whole raiding Devon in 878. The aim of this attack may have been to obtain land for settlement; in 876 Halfdan had divided Northumbria amongst his followers.

Two different systems of logistics can be seen at work. The opportunistic raiders established control of land and agriculture in the political vacuum of Northumbria.

In the future, the Norse Kings of York were to have a troubled but effective reign which, with some interruption, continued until the mid 10th century.

Armies were raised and equipped from this area, sometimes supported by overseas Viking. The 878 incident may have had more important implications, but the form of attack was that which surprised Lindisfarne in 793, a swift descent on an unprotected coast.

The invaders would take whatever they needed from the region and move on. Unfortunately for their leader (Hubba), the nature of defense had change. Although the king of Wessex was himself a fugitive, the local ealdorman was capable of meeting and destroying Hubba without assistance from the central state.

Ealdormen were likely likely the minor kings of the earlier period with a personal connection to their region, but were royal official who could be appointed, dismissed or transferred.

The outcome might reflect the vagaries of warfare, but some level of preparedness must have been necessary to defeat a force of 23 ships.
Logistics of Viking Army