Did the Vikings come to Wales to stay?
There has been much debate over whether the Vikings also came to Wales to stay. Some evidence for Viking settlement is provided by a number of Scandinavian place-names in Wales. Several small islands off the coast of south Wales, such as Ramsey and Skomer, bear Scandinavian names.
Was there ever Viking settlement on the Anglesey?
The nature of Viking settlement in Wales remains one of the mysteries of early medieval archaeology, none more so than on Anglesey. This is emphasised when the Viking measurement of 'a day's sail' is plotted from the Isle of Man, Dublin, Chester and the Wirral, for they all intersect in Anglesey waters.
Where was the first Norse settlement in Wales?
There was a Norse colony on either side of Milford Haven in South Pembrokeshire, and another settlement on the coastal plain between Neath, Cardiff, and Newport. There may also have been a Norse colony on the Gower Peninsula.
Is there any archaeological evidence for Viking invasion and settlement in Britain?
For this reason, historian Peter Hunter Blair noted that, in Britain, the archaeological evidence for Viking invasion and settlement was "very slight compared with the corresponding evidence for the Anglo-Saxon invasions" of the fifth century. [41]
The Vikings Raid North Wales
Barbaric, ruthless, wild and violent. The history of Viking raiders as they plundered the British Isles is not a pleasant one to read about.
Battle of Buttington
Struggling to match the powerful Viking threats, particularly from armies who had landed in Kent that year, and East Anglia and Northumbria before that, military reforms were put in place by the English King, Alfred the Great.
Clues To Viking Life in Wales
Ground-breaking discoveries of human remains and hoards of Viking treasure have been monumental in uncovering evidence of Viking-age settlement, here in Wales.
Where was the Viking settlement located?
The Viking Age settlement at Llanbedrgoch. One of the most intriguing archaeological sites belonging to the Viking period is to be found at Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey and research by Amgueddfa Cymru has helped reveal the nature of Viking Age life which has puzzled scholars for decades.
Where did the Vikings invade?
When the Vikings invaded North Wales. Historical records tell us of a series of terrifying attacks by Viking invaders on the coasts of Britain, France and Ireland in the last decade of the 8th century. Archaeological evidence show that these invaders may not have been as brutal as records claim.
When did the Vikings come to Anglesey?
In 903 Vikings came to Anglesey after being driven out of Dublin. According to both Irish and Welsh records they failed to gain a foothold in Wales, and sailed on to Chester. Again in 918, Anglesey was ravaged by Vikings.
Where was the Viking hoard found?
The Bryn Maelgwyn hoard of coins near Llandudno was deposited in the mid-1020s, and may be Viking booty rather than local savings; and a remarkable hoard of five complete Viking silver arm rings of were found in the 19th century at Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey.
When was the first raid on Wales?
The first recorded raid on Wales occurred in 852, and we know of attacks by Vikings on Anglesey and Gwynedd from 854 onwards. Rhodri Mawr, ruler of Gwynedd (844-78), led resistance to these early onslaughts, killing the Danish leader Gorm in 855.
Where was the silver found in Wales?
For a more realistic picture of Viking Wales, we have to turn to archaeology. Most Viking silver found in Wales has been discovered in coastal areas. St Deiniol's monastery in Bangor has produced two hoards, one dated to around 925, and a small group of coins deposited about 970.
Did the Vikings live in Wales?
Physical evidence of the Vikings in Wales is even less definite. Certainly, we know that the Vikings were familiar with Anglesey because of the place-names of Scandinavian origin which have been given to prominent coastal features as navigational aids: Onguls-ey itself, traditionally thought to incorporate a personal name - presumably a Viking leader, The Skerries, Piscar, Priestholm (prestaholmr) and Osmond's Air near Beaumaris, from Asmundr & eyrr, a gravel bank near the sea.
When did the Vikings arrive in Wales?
Abstract: There is a significant lack of understanding and investigation into the presence of the Vikings in Wales during the early medieval period (c. AD 700 to AD 1000). This article explores some of the evidence of possible interactions between Viking raiders and the native population, hoping to shine a light on a misunderstood aspect of the Viking World.
What was the reason for the Vikings not settling in Wales?
The massacre of the Danes at the Battle of Buttington (AD 893), referred to in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, is also one of the key pieces of evidence when considering the Viking presence in Wales. This battle was fought between the Anglo-Saxons, Welsh, and Danish raiders, and is believed to have been the reason that the Vikings never settled Wales.
What was the period of the early medieval period?
The early medieval period in Britian, c. AD 700 – 1000, was a turbulent time for the Welsh territories, even without the raids. Wales was split into several independent kingdoms, each led by its own powerful ruler with their own agenda for their people and territory. This division, stemming from the days of the Celtic tribes, meant there was no united Welsh front against the Viking raiders when they arrived in large numbers during the early medieval period. Figure 1 shows the division of the land during this period.
What is the country called in the Orkneyinga Saga?
This can also be seen in Orkneyinga Saga (Palsson and Edwards, 1978), which was written around the same time. These Old Norse texts call the country ‘Bretland’ , and often describe it as one of the ‘usual’ sites to send raiding parties during the period (Redknap 2008).
Why did the Scandinavians come to Britain?
The Scandinavians had come to Britain with the intent of raiding and looting , and it seems that they were successful in this endeavour to some extent. But another driving factor of these raids, the desire to claim and take land to settle, was seemingly not achieved here.
Where are the Norse names?
Other places in Wales with Old Norse names congregate around coastal areas, such as Caldey Island (West Wales), Freystrop (West Wales), Skokholm Island (West Wales) and Anglesey (North Wales). This could be seen to represent the nature of the Viking presence in Wales, a group with superior seafaring tactics and knowledge gravitating ...
Did the Vikings raid the Welsh?
With this division in the Welsh territories, constantly rife with internal warfare one would expect the Viking raiders to have easily overrun the native Welsh population, raiding freely with little resistance. But according to historical accounts, and the archaeological evidence, this is simply not the case. The Scandinavians had come to Britain with the intent of raiding and looting, and it seems that they were successful in this endeavour to some extent. But another driving factor of these raids, the desire to claim and take land to settle, was seemingly not achieved here. While England, Ireland, and Scotland were being settled and pulled into the Viking Diaspora, or places that the Vikings had migrated to, Wales seems to have been neglected in this movement. And so, the question must be asked, why?
When were raids first recorded in Wales?
The first recorded raid on Welsh shores was recorded in AD852. Random attacks were made up until about AD919. Rhodri 'Mawr' (Rhodri 'the Great'), the ruler of Gwynedd from AD844 led the initial counter-attacks. In AD903 Dublin Danes led by Ingimund went on to Anglesey after being expelled from Ireland, only to be repulsed by the Welsh and sailing on east to Chester. The next stage of raiding came around AD950, after the death of Hywel Dda, the 'king' of Gwynedd, and Deheubarth in the south-west. There were numerous raids in coastal lowlands, and in particular on religious sites such as Penmon and Caer Gybi on Anglesey and Clynnog Fawr in Caernarfon (Caernarvonshire). St Davids was attacked eleven times between AD967 and AD1091. Yet Wales suffered lightly compared with Ireland - this may yet prove misleading due to poor documentary records. A third era of raids took place in the second half of the 11th Century linked to events leading up to the Norman invasion of England.
Who established a settlement on the island in the Tawy?
Swansea Bay at low tide. Svein Haraldsson established a settlement on the island in the Tawy after his ship suffered damage in the Bristol Channel
What is Swansea Bay named after?
Swansea Bay - Svein's Ey or Svein's Isle, named after when Svein 'Forkbeard' put in here to have his ship seen to on his way around the British coast. Early mediaeval Wales, showing the principalities and alliances. Norse settlement was sparser in Wales than anywhere else in the British Isles.
Who was the Earl of Leofric's son?
In the 11th Century Gruffyth ap Llewellyn allied himself with Aelfgar, Earl Leofric's rebellious son. When Aelfgar went to ireland he came back with a Dublin-Danish fleet and raided the Wirral and Mersey coast with the aid of Gruffyth. Parts of the area were still recorded by Domesday in AD1086 as 'waste', even though they had been raided well over thirty years before.
When did the Vikings invade Wales?
The first certain notice of a Viking raid upon Wales occurs in all the Welsh Chronicles ( Annales Cambriae, Brut y Tywysogion and Brut y Saeson) in the annals for the year 850 AD (note 1), when a certain Cyngen died on the swords of "the Heathen." Some scholars believe that Viking incursions into Wales began even earlier, suggesting that the Vikings who raided the Church on Recru or Lombay Island in 795 AD had sailed there from Wales. The inhabitants of Cornwall, known as the West Welsh, were in contact with the Viking raiders as early as 835 AD, when they contracted with the Danes to fight against the Anglo-Saxon King Ecgberht who had subjugated the Cornish in 823. This alliance of Northman with Welshman against the English was to recur again many times in the coming years.
Where was Wales located?
Wales, in its central position, situated between the Viking kingdoms of Ireland and the Danelaw, was certain to receive the attentions of the Norse sea-raiders. The Welsh coastline, and particularly the island of Anglesey, was a particular target for Hiberno-Norse aggression, being situated conveniently close to the Norse colony of Dublin. Anglesey was attractive to the raiders, not only being the home of the monastic establishments of Penmon, Ynys Seirol and Caer Gybi, but also as Giraldus Cambrensis states in his Descripto Kambriae,
How many warships did King Harald give him?
Eftir það fór hann vestur um haf og herjaði um Skotland og Bretland, Írland og Valland og dvaldist þar aðra fjóra vetur. [King Harald gave him five warships, and he went raiding, first in the Baltic, then south around Denmark and around Frísland and Saxland, and he was four years on this expedition.
What is Wales called in the saga?
When the sagas mention Wales, it is called Bretland in Old Norse. Landnámabók, the Icelandic Book of Settlements (ca. 1130 AD), says in its Prologue that Iceland ("Thule") is six day's sail north of Wales:
What battle is mentioned in the Egils saga?
Egils saga Skallagrímssonar also mentions Bretland in connection with the Battle of Vinheiðr, which may be the same battle that is described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as the Battle of Brunanburh in 937 AD:
Where did Gruffydd ap Cynan land?
Gruffydd ap Cynan again raids Wales with his Norse warriors, looting in the Norman territories of Rhos and Tegeingl, capturing cattle and men for slaves. Later the same year, Gruffydd again raided Wales, landing under Great Orme's Head with three ships full of Norse warriors.
What is the tradition of Welsh poetry?
Traditional Welsh poetry also records the Scandinavian presence in Wales; For example, the Arymes Prydein Vawr or "Omen of Great Britain" composed sometime between 835 and 1066 AD and preserved in the 13th century manuscript known as The Book of Taliesin states: Achymot kymry agwyr dulyn. Gwydyl iwerdon mon aphrydyn.
Where did the Norse settle?
Norse settlement in the British Isles . The early Norse settlers in Anglo-Saxon England would have appeared visibly different from the Anglo-Saxon populace, wearing specifically Scandinavian styles of jewellery, and probably also wearing their own peculiar styles of clothing.
When did the Vikings come to the British Isles?
Viking activity in the British Isles occurred during the Early Middle Ages, the 8th to the 11th centuries, when Norsemen from Scandinavia travelled to Great Britain and Ireland to settle, trade or raid. Those who came to the British Isles have been generally referred to as Vikings, but some scholars debate whether the term Viking represented all ...
What were the Viking raids?
In the final decade of the 8th century AD, Norse raiders attacked a series of Christian monasteries in the British Isles. Here, these monasteries had often been positioned on small islands and in other remote coastal areas so that the monks could live in seclusion, devoting themselves to worship without the interference of other elements of society. At the same time, it made them isolated and unprotected targets for attack. Historian Peter Hunter Blair remarked that the Viking raiders would have been astonished "at finding so many communities which housed considerable wealth and whose inhabitants carried no arms." These raids would have been the first contact many Norsemen had with Christianity, but such attacks were not specifically anti-Christian in nature, rather the monasteries were simply seen as 'easy targets' for raiders.
What were the major factors in the subsequent Norse invasions and colonization of large parts of the British Isles?
The historian Peter Hunter Blair believed that the success of the Viking raids and the "complete unpreparedness of Britain to meet such attacks" became major factors in the subsequent Norse invasions and colonization of large parts of the British Isles.
What did the Norse do in 865?
From 865 the Norse attitude towards the British Isles changed, as they began to see it as a place for potential colonisation rather than simply a place to raid. As a result of this, larger armies began arriving on Britain's shores, with the intention of conquering land and constructing settlements there.
Why are Scandinavians so elusive?
Richards commented, Scandinavians in Anglo-Saxon England "can be elusive to the archaeologist" because many of their houses and graves are indistinguishable from those of the other populations living in the country. For this reason, historian Peter Hunter Blair noted that in Britain, the archaeological evidence for Norse invasion and settlement was "very slight compared with the corresponding evidence for the Anglo-Saxon invasions" of the 5th century.
How many kingdoms were there in the mid 9th century?
By the mid-9th century Anglo-Saxon England comprised four separate and independent kingdoms: East Anglia, Wessex, Northumbria, and Mercia, the last of which was the strongest military power. Between half a million and a million people lived in England at this time, with society being rigidly hierarchical.
The Vikings Raid North Wales
Battle of Buttington
- Struggling to match the powerful Viking threats, particularly from armies who had landed in Kent that year, and East Anglia and Northumbria before that, military reforms were put in place by the English King, Alfred the Great. After mounting pressure and defence was put on the Vikings by the English army, the warriors rampant ways were forced to retreat as they became pinned down. Se…
Clues to Viking Life in Wales
- Ground-breaking discoveries of human remains and hoards of Viking treasure have been monumental in uncovering evidence of Viking-age settlement, here in Wales. Less than a decade ago, in 2015, hoards of Viking coins were discovered near Caernarfon, and back in 1998, human remains from Viking-age burials were found in shallow graves at Llanbedrgoch ...
Introduction
Early Medieval Wales
- Whilst the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (c. 9th century) describes the united efforts of the English to end the Viking terror in their lands, the Welsh Chronicles, (specifically the Annales Cambriae (c. 10th century) which can be seen in Figure 2), detail the sporadic movement of Viking forces around and across Wales. These were relatively unchallenged in comparison to what was happe…
Viking Conflict and Raiding
- Despite this accepted knowledge of raiding and conflict between Viking forces and the native Welsh, many academics would argue that Wales is simply not relevant when discussing the wide expansive world of the Viking Diaspora (Jesch 2015). When presented with a map of ‘Viking Britain’, Wales is often left blank and grey, as if it is simply not relevant. But, as previously discus…
Further Research and Concluding Thoughts
- In conclusion, an inter-disciplinary investigation of the available evidence, relating to the movement and activity of Viking forces in Wales during the early medieval period, paints a compelling picture of a land that was thoroughly embedded into the world of the Viking Diaspora. This research will become the basis of an extended PhD thesis, to be undertaken at the Univer…