The joint Olaf-Sweyn fleet of 94 ships attacked London in 994 but failed to take the fortified city. The fleet then dispersed along the coast raiding Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire. A national Danegeld of 16,000 pounds was paid. Sweyn received a substantial personal payment and departed, using the silver to finance his later Norwegian ambitions. The episode established the pattern of large-scale tribute extraction.
Sweyn/Olaf fleet (94 ships): c. 3,000–5,000. England: government negotiators.
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