Did London Bridge Fall Down Vikings?

By Anna Duncan

London Bridge is a well-known landmark in London that has been standing for centuries. However, there have been rumors and legends that suggest that the bridge was once destroyed by Vikings.

But is there any truth to this story Let’s explore the history of London Bridge and the Vikings to find out.

London Bridge has a long and fascinating history dating back to Roman times when the first bridge was built across the River Thames. Over the centuries, various versions of the bridge were constructed, each one more impressive than the last. The current London Bridge was built in 1973 and is a modern marvel of engineering.

But what about the Vikings The Vikings were known for their raids and conquests throughout Europe from around 800 to 1100 AD. They were fierce warriors who sailed their longships across the seas, pillaging and plundering wherever they went.

It’s true that the Vikings did attack London several times during their reign of terror. In fact, in 1014 AD, King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark led a massive Viking invasion of England that culminated in his victory over King Ethelred II at the Battle of Ashingdon.

During this invasion, it’s believed that Viking forces sailed up the River Thames and attacked London Bridge. According to legend, they tied ropes around the wooden supports of the bridge and used their longships to pull it down.

However, there is little evidence to support this story. While it’s true that Viking forces did attack London during this time period, there are no records or archaeological evidence to suggest that they destroyed London Bridge.

In fact, it’s more likely that any damage done to London Bridge during this time period was due to natural wear and tear or other factors such as flooding or fires.

So while it makes for an exciting legend, there is no concrete evidence to support the idea that Vikings destroyed London Bridge.

In conclusion, while the Vikings did attack London several times during their reign of terror, there is no evidence to suggest that they destroyed London Bridge. While legends and myths are an important part of history, it’s important to separate fact from fiction when exploring the past.