After early attacks like the Raid on Lindisfarne, monasteries became prime targets because they were wealthy, lightly defended, and easy to raid. In response, English kings often chose to pay off Viking armies rather than fight them directly.
The problem was that it did not really work long term. Once Vikings realized they could get silver without much resistance, they often came back for more. By the late 10th and early 11th centuries, Danegeld had become a regular and massive tax on the English population.
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After early attacks like the Raid on Lindisfarne, monasteries became prime targets because they were wealthy, lightly defended, and easy to raid. In response, English kings often chose to pay off Viking armies rather than fight them directly.
The problem was that it did not really work long term. Once Vikings realized they could get silver without much resistance, they often came back for more. By the late 10th and early 11th centuries, Danegeld had become a regular and massive tax on the English population.
Easy money. No efforts, no bloodshed.