VIKING-AGE YORK the City 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

VIKING-AGE YORK The City 1. Jorvik - A Viking City Peter Addyman In AD 866, when the Vikings set off from East Viking kings, either Danish or Norse, ruled York Anglia to capture York, it was already a place of with only one interruption from AD 866 to 954. great importance. Originally a Roman stronghold, The only break came when Alfred the Great’s and later the capital of the Anglian Kingdom of powerful grandson, King Athelstan, briefly Northumbria, the city had strong defensive walls regained control for the English from AD 927 to and must have contained a royal palace. The 939. But in AD 954 Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking Church in York was headed by an archbishop, and king, was expelled, and York finally became part had long been famous throughout Europe for its of the new kingdom of England. fine library and scholars. York’s communications were good: roads following natural ridges across Many of the Vikings who had settled in York the marshy Vale of York linked the city to the stayed behind, however, and, continued their fertile lands of East Yorkshire and to the Pennine prosperous life as traders and craftsmen. uplands in the west. The river Ouse linked York to Under the Vikings, York lay at the centre of the North Sea, and brought trading ships to the a huge area of Scandinavian settlement in city from many countries. north-eastern England; the city had grown larger, and had become a more important centre for manufacturing, crafts and trade than ever before. In about AD 1000 a writer described York as “filled with treasures of merchants from many lands, particularly the Danes,” and when William the Conqueror had Domesday Book drawn up in 1086 to list England’s wealth, York was second only to King’s London in size and prosperity. Court River River Foss Ouse YORK Viking -age Church Presumed inhabited area Map of Jorvik in the late Viking-age. Map to show areas of Scandinavian settlement evidence drawn from distribution of Scandinavian place names. Areas of intensive Scandinavian settlement. Worksheet provided by .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

The Influence of Old Norse on the English Language
Antonius Gerardus Maria Poppelaars HUSBANDS, OUTLAWS AND KIDS: THE INFLUENCE OF OLD NORSE ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HUSBANDS, OUTLAWS E KIDS: A INFLUÊNCIA DO NÓRDICO ANTIGO NA LÍNGUA INGLESA Antonius Gerardus Maria Poppelaars1 Abstract: What have common English words such as husbands, outlaws and kids and the sentence they are weak to do with Old Norse? Yet, all these examples are from Old Norse, the Norsemen’s language. However, the Norse influence on English is underestimated as the Norsemen are viewed as barbaric, violent pirates. Also, the Norman occupation of England and the Great Vowel Shift have obscured the Old Norse influence. These topics, plus the Viking Age, the Scandinavian presence in England, as well as the Old Norse linguistic influence on English and the supposed French influence of the Norman invasion will be described. The research for this etymological article was executed through a descriptive- qualitative approach. Concluded is that the Norsemen have intensively influenced English due to their military supremacy and their abilities to adaptation. Even the French-Norman French language has left marks on English. Nowadays, English is a lingua franca, leading to borrowings from English to many languages, which is often considered as invasive. But, English itself has borrowed from other languages, maintaining its proper character. Hence, it is hoped that this article may contribute to a greater acknowledgement of the Norse influence on English and undermine the scepticism towards the English language as every language has its importance. Keywords: Old Norse Loanwords, English Language, Viking Age, Etymology. Resumo: O que têm palavras inglesas comuns como husbands, outlaws e kids e a frase they are weak a ver com os Nórdicos? Todos esses exemplos são do nórdico antigo, a língua dos escandinavos.
[Show full text]
Thevikingblitzkriegad789-1098.Pdf
2 In memory of Jeffrey Martin Whittock (1927–2013), much-loved and respected father and papa. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A number of people provided valuable advice which assisted in the preparation of this book; without them, of course, carrying any responsibility for the interpretations offered by the book. We are particularly indebted to our agent Robert Dudley who, as always, offered guidance and support, as did Simon Hamlet and Mark Beynon at The History Press. In addition, Bradford-on-Avon library, and the Wiltshire and the Somerset Library services, provided access to resources through the inter-library loans service. For their help and for this service we are very grateful. Through Hannah’s undergraduate BA studies and then MPhil studies in the department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (ASNC) at Cambridge University (2008–12), the invaluable input of many brilliant academics has shaped our understanding of this exciting and complex period of history, and its challenging sources of evidence. The resulting familiarity with Old English, Old Norse and Insular Latin has greatly assisted in critical reflection on the written sources. As always, the support and interest provided by close family and friends cannot be measured but is much appreciated. And they have been patient as meal-time conversations have given way to discussions of the achievements of Alfred and Athelstan, the impact of Eric Bloodaxe and the agendas of the compilers of the 4 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 5 CONTENTS Title Dedication Acknowledgements Introduction 1 The Gathering
[Show full text]
OLAF CUARAN and ST EDITH: a VIEW of TENTH CENTURY TIES BETWEEN NORTHUMBERLAND,YORK and DUBLIN by Michael Anne Guido1
PAGAN SON OF A SAINT:OLAF CUARAN AND ST.EDITH -455- PAGAN SON OF A SAINT:OLAF CUARAN AND ST EDITH: A VIEW OF TENTH CENTURY TIES BETWEEN NORTHUMBERLAND,YORK AND DUBLIN by Michael Anne Guido1 ABSTRACT Though much has been written about Olaf Cuaran little is still known of his origins and his exact place in tenth century history. He has often been confused with his cousin Olaf Guthfrithsson in the early annals and chroniclers. Even his nickname of ‘Cuaran’ is debated as to its exact meaning. He became a legendary figure when he was incorporated into the twelfth century chanson of Havelok the Dane. The focus of this paper is to examine the life and ancestry of Olaf as it is presented in the Northumbrian Chronicle, Irish Annals and several pre-fourteenth century English histories with particular attention upon the dating and origins of each source, as well as debunking myths that have grown around Olaf and his mother. Foundations (2008) 2 (6): 455-476 © Copyright FMG and the author 1. Introduction The period between the late eighth and mid tenth centuries saw one of the largest changes in medieval British history. In this 150 year span England became one nation not a series of kingdoms. Scotland unified southern regions into the kingdom of Alba to protect themselves from the vast northern provinces inhabited by invaders. Ireland became more trade oriented2 (Hudson, 2005) and nationalism flared in Eire for the first time. All these changes occurred in response to the coming of the Northmen, the fierce raiders who came to plunder, kill and enslave the natives of these lands.
[Show full text]
A Viking Encounter’ the Vikings Came from the Scandinavian Countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark
Map of Viking Routes Year Five – ‘A Viking Encounter’ The Vikings came from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The time between 787AD and 1050AD is known as the time of the Vikings. Initially, they settled in northern Scotland and eastern England, also establishing the city of Dublin in Ireland. Around 1000AD, some Vikings settled in North America, but did not stay long. They also travelled to southern Spain and Russia, and traded as far away as Turkey. ‘A Viking Encounter’ Useful Websites https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztyr9j6 https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/ https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/general-history/10- facts-about-the-vikings/ https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/top-10-facts-about-vikings/# https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/history/vikings/ Were the Vikings victorious or simply vicious? –The 840 AD – Viking – Danish Vikings 878-886 AD– King Alfred divides 900-911 AD – The Vikings 787-789 AD 866 AD Vikings begin their settlers establish the city of establish a kingdom in England under the Danelaw Act, raid the Mediterranean, and attacks on Britain. Dublin in Ireland. York, England. granting Vikings north & east England. found Normandy in France. Ragnar Lodbrok (740/780-840 AD) Ivar the Boneless (794-873 AD) Erik the Red (950AD-1003AD) Ragnar Ladbrok is a legendary Danish and Swedish Viking leader, who is Ivar the Boneless was a notoriously Erik Thorvaldsson, known as Erik the Red, was a largely known from Viking Age Old ferocious Viking leader and commander Norse explorer, famed for having founded the Norse poetry and literature (there is who invaded what is now England.
[Show full text]
Vikings in England to A.D
Vikings in England to A.D. 1016 Clare Downham Vikings had a profound impact on the history of the English-speaking people. In the period from the first recorded raids in the late eighth century, until the conquest of England by Knútr in 1016, the political geography, culture, and identities of the Anglo- Saxons were transformed. As a result of their impact, the image of vikings has loomed large in English historical literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Their historiography can be seen to reflect developments in attitudes across the centuries to various issues including regional identity, conquest, migration, and cultural assimilation. Modern scholarly debates have tended to focus on the scale and impact of viking settlement in England (xref Richards, Hadley). However there have been calls for more research on the leaders of vikings and their contacts abroad (Wormald 1982: 44; Hadley 2000a: 107). Nevertheless the political history of vikings has proved controversial due to a lack of consensus as to what constitutes reliable evidence. The paradigms of viking history have been much coloured by texts which post-date the Viking Age. These include writings which emanated from the church of Durham from the eleventh century onwards and Icelandic sagas from the thirteenth century and later (Rollason et al. 1998: 22-27, 33; Schlauch 1949). The value of these late accounts has been increasingly called into question (McTurk 1974-77; Page 1982; Dumville 1987). The use of skaldic verse has also been problematised due to uncertainties over the date of its composition and its original context (Downham 2004; but see Jesch 2004).
[Show full text]
Vikings in Britain: AD793—AD1066 the Vikings Were Pagans from Denmark, Norway and Sweden Who Spoke Old Norse
Vikings in Britain: AD793—AD1066 The Vikings were pagans from Denmark, Norway and Sweden who spoke Old Norse. They were mainly farmers and skilled cra workers. They sailed in longships to trade with Europe, Russia and even Asia, exchanging furs, ivory, amber and slaves for luxury goods such as gold, silver, wine and glassware. With few natural resources in their homelands many Vikings migrated to sele in Britain, Iceland and Greenland and even Newfoundland. Viking raids began on the coasts of Britain and Ireland during the late 8th century including Lindisfarne in AD793. Danish Vikings began seling in eastern England and then moved west, invading Wessex in AD878. King Alfred of Wessex managed to defeat them in bale and England became divided in two with the Viking kingdom known as the Danelaw in the north and west of England. The most famous Danish king was King Cnut or Canute (le) (1016‐1035). During his reign and that of his son Harthacnut, Denmark, England and, for a while, Norway were polically united. The Vikings in Britain and Ireland established major towns at York (Jorvik) and Dublin. They issued coinage and became major trading centres. People lived in longhouses, these were made out of wood or stone with a thatched or turf roof and a central hearth. Beds and benches lined the walls with furs and skins for warmth. Vikings were skilled in making wooden objects, the bowls (below) have been turned on a lathe. At the top of Viking society was the king, under him came the nobles or jarls. Then there were the karls, the ordinary farmers and cra people and below them the thralls or slaves.
[Show full text]
Single Finds of Anglo-Saxon and Norman Coins - 3
SINGLE FINDS OF ANGLO-SAXON AND NORMAN COINS - 3 M. A. S. BLACKBURN AND M. J. BONSER THIS third article in the series is divided into two parts. The first discusses the finds from an exceptionally prolific site near Royston, while the second reports finds from a variety of British sites that have been notified to us during 1986. The autumn and winter of 1985 proved to be particularly fruitful seasons for the users of metal detectors. It is thought that the dry weather conditions resulted in the ploughs and cultivators lifting soil from a greater depth than usual, whole clods being pulled to the surface rather than broken in the ground. The finds this season, following the 1986 harvest, have not been nearly as plentiful, yet the number of coins that we have been able to record has remained similar to last year due to our widening circle of contacts. While this is gratifying, it is also evident that a significant proportion of single finds is still going unrecorded. More needs to be done by way of co-ordinating coin finds of all periods reported to museums and county archaeological services, and in making contacts with local metal-detecting clubs. The finds are numbered in sequence, and those in the second part of this article are arranged by site alphabetically. The issues or issuers represented are as follows: Sceattas 3-47, 87, 93-100, Edmund 62 103-4, 125-26, Eric Bloodaxe 138 130, 134, 136 Edgar 63 Eadbert of Northumbria 67-68, 117 Edward the Martyr 80, 133 Archbishop Egbert of /Ethelred II 64, 84, 86, 105, York 69-70 121 Beonna of
[Show full text]
The Vikings in Brita
The invasions to c.954 3l Scotland 3 Scandinavian activity in Scotland concerned itself with three prin- cipal geographical areas: the Northern Isles, the Caledonian main- land,and the Western Isles extending as far as the Isle of Man. Most The course of the interesting and clearcut are the Northern Isles of Orkney and Scandinovion invasions to Shetland. These consist of two virtual archipelagos of islands, rcarly 70 in the Orkneys and about 100 in the Shetlands, only com- c..to 954 paratively few of which are now inhabited. Communications were of necessity by sea, and skilled seamen were needed to man the boats in what are often tempestuous and dangerous waters. Yet at several points in time these islands have been at the centre of important movements of people and civilization. Megalithic monuments such The Viking Age lasted the best part of three centuries, and it is by as the stone-built tomb of Maeshowe in Orkney, great henge monu- no means easy to decide the most convenient and useful point to ments such as the Ring of Brodgar or the Ring of Bookan, the well- break a narrative account of the impact of the Northerners. Their excavated and much discussed village site of Skara Brae, all testify aims, methods, and achievements varied from generation to genera_ to the vitality of the inhabitants of the islands in the two millennia tion and right to the end provide the historian with a complicated sc. At a later stage the fantastic brochs, the stone-built tower of pattern of human nature and circumstance.
[Show full text]
Year-4-Viking-Voyagers-1
“Did the Vikings deserve their vicious reputation?” Vocabulary What Can I Remember? AD- AD stands for anno domini- “in the year Stone Age Boy (Y3) of the Lord”—the year Jesus was born. How to be a Viking (Y2) Anglo-Saxon- The people of England during medieval times. Take-Aways artefact- An object of historical interest, I can describe to other people the periods of Viking and Anglo-Saxon Britain. such as a tool or decoration. I know facts about the Anglo-Saxons and Scots settling in Britain. BC- BC stands for "before Christ". I can use what I have learnt to explain why there was a struggle between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons to win the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor. Christianity- The religion that teaches about the life of Jesus Christ. civilisation- A well organised and developed Important People group of people living together. Eric Bloodaxe (885-954) Eric Bloodaxe was king of 1. conquer- To take control of an area or the Viking kingdom of country by force. Jorvik between 947-948 and 952-954. 2. invade- To try to take over a place or a country by force. 3. Leif Erikson (c.970-1020) longship- A long, narrow warship Leif Erikson was a famous Big Ws used by the Vikings. Viking explorer from The Vikings were Norse people who came from an monastery- A place where monks live. Iceland who sailed all the area called Scandinavia. You might know it better as way to North America. Norway, Sweden and Denmark. monk- A very religious man who lives with The word Viking means 'a pirate raid', which is other monks in a monastery.
[Show full text]
'Anglo-Danes': Anachronistic Ethnicities and Viking-Age England1
‘Hiberno-Norwegians’ and ‘Anglo-Danes’: anachronistic ethnicities and Viking-Age England1 CLARE DOWNHAM University of Aberdeen TWO papers have recently been published, with reference to Irish sources from the Viking-Age, challenging the identification of Dubgaill (‘Dark Foreigners’) with ‘Danes’ and Finngaill (‘Fair Foreigners’) with ‘Norwegians’.2 In this paper I seek to broaden the debate by suggesting that the categorisation of Insular-viking politics as a struggle between opposing Danish and Norwegian factions is similarly unhelpful. For example, the use of the term Dene in ‘The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle’ can be regarded as similar to the use of the terms Dani and Nordmanni in Frankish chronicles: that is, as a general name for those of Scandinavian cultural identity rather than a label referring to people of one particular Scandinavian ethnicity.3 I argue that the supposed animosity between ‘Hiberno-Norwegian’ and ‘Anglo- Danish’ factions in English politics before 954 is largely a historiographic invention and not a Viking-Age reality. The stereotypes applied to each of these so-called groups (the ‘Hiberno-Norwegians’ being generally seen as more violent, more heathen, and more chaotic than the ‘Anglo-Danes’) can also be called into question. If this argument holds true, then references to ‘Hiberno-Norwegians’ and ‘Anglo- 1 I should like to thank Judith Jesch and Alex Woolf for the opportunity to present versions of this paper at Nottingham and St Andrews in February and April 2007. My thanks also go to Paul Bibire, Stefan Brink, and David Roffe for reading and commenting on the text. 2 David N. Dumville, ‘Old Dubliners and New Dubliners in Ireland and Britain: a Viking- Age story’, Medieval Dublin 6 (2004) 78–93, reprinted in his Celtic Essays, 2001–2007 (2 vols, Aberdeen 2007), I.103–22; C.
[Show full text]
The Vikings Lindisfarne (England)
Danelaw (England) The Vikings Lindisfarne (England) Timeline 700 789 793 865 866 876 886 1014 1066 The Viking First Viking raid Viking army Danes Vikings from Denmark, King Alfred defeats King Canute Battle of Age recorded on from Denmark capture York Sweden and Norway the Vikings / Allows (Cnut) of Hastings / begins Viking Lindisfarne invades (Jorvik) settle permanently in them to settle in Denmark King William I King attack England England East England of England of England Key Vocabulary General Knowledge Famous Figures Danelaw An area of land ruled by the Vikings where they Invaders Eric Bloodaxe (885-954) settled from York down to the east of England. The Vikings wanted new land because the places Eric Bloodaxe was king of the Viking Made from the horns of goats and cattle, these drinking horn where they came from in Scandinavia (Norway, kingdom of Jorvik between 947-948 and were used when drinking water, milk or mead. Sweden and Denmark). It was hard to grow crops, 952-954. Jorvik was a large Viking kingdom helmet Helmets were made from iron with a bowl and nose around York. He was the last King of York which meant there was a food shortage as the guard and leather within. They did not have horns! who was driven out in 954. The Vikings in population got bigger. Britain and Europe had plenty jewellery Using a rage of materials from gold to animal England then agreed to be ruled by the king bones they made rings, brooches, necklaces and of good farmland, so the Vikings tried to claim some of England rather than having their own bracelets.
[Show full text]
Scandinavian Relations with Ireland During the Viking Period (1922)
UCi>B LIBRARY SCANDINAVIAN RELATIONS WITH IRELAND DURING THE VIKING PERIOD SCANDINAVIAN RELATIONS WITH IRELAND DURING THE VIKING PERIOD BY A. WALSH DUBLIN THE TALBOT PRESS LIMITED LONDON T. FISHER UNWIN LIMITED 1922 PREFACE THIS short study was written during my tenure of a Travelling Studentship from the National University of Ireland, and in March, 1920, was accepted for the Research Degree Certificate of Cambridge University. A glance at the bibliography shows that comparatively little has been written in English on this interesting period of our history. On the other hand modern Scandinavian scholars Alexander Bugge, Marstrander, and Vogt have thrown a good deal of light on the subject, but unfortunately very few of their books have been translated into English. The present dissertation is based principally upon the Old and Middle Irish annals and chronicles and the Icelandic sagas ; reference has also been made to the work of Scandinavian, English and Irish scholars on the subject. I should like to acknowledge my debt to Professor Chadwick, who directed my work : those who have had the privilege of working under him will readily understand how much is due to his encouragement and stimulating criticism. I wish also to express my thanks to my friends, Miss N. Kershaw and Mr. E. J. Thomas, for many kindnesses while the book in to Hull was preparation ; Miss Eleanor and Professor O'Maille, University College, Galway, for the loan of to books ; and the librarian and staff of Cambridge University library, the National library, Dublin, and T.C.D. Library. A.W. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE Chap.
[Show full text]