Olaf Tryggvason, future king of Norway, commanded the joint fleet with Sweyn Forkbeard that attacked London in 994. Olaf was a professional Viking raider who had conducted campaigns across the Baltic, Ireland, and Scotland before turning to England. After the London assault failed Olaf accepted baptism at Andover with King Aethelred as his sponsor. Olaf pledged never to come to England in hostility again, a pledge he kept. He used the English Danegeld to finance his seizure of the Norwegian throne.
English (London garrison): c. 500–1,500. Olaf/Sweyn fleet: c. 3,000–5,000.
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