The Battle of Largs What was the The Battle of Largs was the last battle fought between Battle of Largs? the Vikings and the Scots. Where did it The Battle of Largs took place happen? in Largs. Largs is now a small town on the west coast of Scotland. When did it It happened on 2nd October 1263 during happen? Viking times. Who fought in the The battle was battle? fought between the Norse Vikings and the Scots. Why were they The Vikings had been raiding Scotland for over 400 fighting? years. In September 1263, they were travelling to Scotland to invade when their longships were caught in a storm. They had to go ashore in Largs. The King of Norway sent men to look for the lost ships and they were met by the Scots who were ready for battle. Who won the Neither side won the battle. Men on both sides were battle? killed or wounded but the Scots stopped the Vikings from taking more of their land and the Vikings got their longships back. Page 1 of 3 The Battle of Largs Largs Viking Festival The Battle of Largs is celebrated every year at the Largs Viking Festival. Visitors at the festival can see: Life in a Viking village Burning of a Viking longship Battle of Largs re-enactment They can also visit the Pencil Monument. The monument was built for visitors to remember the battle. At the end of the festival, there is a firework display at the monument. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Macdonald , TheTechDave (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Page 2 of 3 The Battle of Largs Questions 1. What was the Battle of Largs? The Battle of Largs was 2. When did the Battle of Largs take place? Tick one. 2nd October 1963 2nd October 1263 2nd November 1263 3. Fill in the blanks. The battle was fought between the and the . 4. Why did the Vikings go ashore on Largs? 5. Why is there a festival in Largs every year? 6. Use two adjectives to describe the battle. 7. Write two facts you have learnt about the Battle of Largs. Challenge: Design a poster to advertise the Largs Viking Festival. Page 3 of 3 The Battle of Largs Answers 1. What was the Battle of Largs? The Battle of Largs wasthe last battle fought between the Vikings and the Scots. 2. When did the Battle of Largs take place? 2nd October 1963 2nd October 1263 2nd November 1263 3. Fill in the blanks. The battle was fought between theNorse Vikings and the Scots. 4. Why did the Vikings go ashore on Largs? The Vikings had to go ashore on Largs because they were caught in a storm. 5. Why is there a festival in Largs every year? There is a festival in Largs every year to celebrate the end of the Viking rule in Scotland (answers may vary). 6. Use two adjectives to describe the battle. Answers may vary. 7. Write two facts you have learnt about the Battle of Largs. Answers may vary. Challenge Various answers. The Battle of Largs What was the The Battle of Largs was the last battle fought Battle of Largs? between the Vikings and Scots. It is important in Scottish history because it was the last Viking raid on Scotland mainland. Where did it The Battle of Largs took place in happen? Largs, Scotland. Largs is now a small coastal town on the west coast of Scotland. When did it It happened on 2nd October 1263, over 400 years happen? after the Viking’s first invasion in AD 793. Who fought in the The battle was battle? fiercely fought between King Alexander III’s army of Scots and King Haakon’s army of Norway’s Viking warriors. Why were they In September 1263, King Haakon ordered his army fighting? of Vikings to invade Scotland to stop King Alexander III gaining control of the Western Isles. However, when the Norsemen were travelling to Scotland, their longships were caught in a terrible storm. They were forced to go ashore in Largs. When King Haakon sent men to look for the lost ships, they met the Scots who were ready for battle. Which side won It is unclear who won the battle because men on the battle? both sides were killed or wounded. The Vikings fled back to Norway with all of their longships and the Scots regained their land. Page 1 of 3 The Battle of Largs Largs Viking Festival The Battle of Largs is celebrated every year at the Largs Viking Festival. Visitors at the festival can see: Life in a Viking village Burning of a Viking longship Battle of Largs re-enactment To mark the end of the festival, there is a fireworks display at the Pencil Monument. The monument was built in 1912 to commemorate the battle. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Macdonald , TheTechDave (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Page 2 of 3 The Battle of Largs Questions 1. What was the Battle of Largs? 2. When did the Battle of Largs take place? 3. When did the Vikings first invade? AD 793 AD 1793 AD 893 4. Who ordered the Vikings to invade Scotland and why? 5. Write 2 adjectives to describe the Norsemen. 6. Why did the Vikings come ashore on Largs? 7. Why was it unclear who won the battle? 8. Write three facts you have learnt about the Battle of Largs. Challenge: Design a leaflet to advertise the Largs Viking Festival. Things to include: • information about the Battle of Largs; • the different visitor attractions. Page 3 of 3 The Battle of Largs Answers 1. What was the Battle of Largs? The Battle of Largs was the last Viking battle fought between the Vikings and the Scots on Scottish mainland. 2. When did the Battle of Largs take place? The Battle of Largs took place on the 2nd October 1263. 3. When did the Vikings first invade? AD 793 AD 1793 AD 893 4. Who ordered the Vikings to invade Scotland and why? King Haakon ordered his army of Vikings to invade Scotland to stop King Alexander III gaining control of the Western Isles. 5. Write 2 adjectives to describe the Norsemen. Answers may vary. 6. Why did the Vikings come ashore on Largs? The Vikings came ashore on Largs because there was a storm. 7. Why was it unclear who won the battle? It was unclear who won the battle because men on both sides were killed or wounded. 8. Write three facts you have learnt about the Battle of Largs. Answers may vary. Challenge: Various answers. The Battle of Largs The Battle of Largs is a significant part of Scottish history because it was the last Viking raid on Scotland’s mainland. The battle was ferociously fought between Norwegian Vikings (Norsemen) and the Scots on the 2nd October 1263. The battle took place in Largs, Ayrshire. Largs is a small town on the west coast of Scotland. History of the Battle In September 1263, King Haakon ordered his army of Vikings to invade Scotland to stop King Alexander III gaining control of the Western Isles. However, when the Norsemen were travelling to Scotland, their longships were caught in a terrible storm and they were forced to go ashore on Largs. King Haakon sent additional men to recover the lost ships but they were met by the Scots, who were primed for battle. It is unclear who won the battle because men on both sides were killed or wounded. However, the Vikings retrieved their longships and fled back to Norway and the Scots regained their land. Scottish Legend According to Scottish legend, on the night of the attack, a barefoot Norseman stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain. This alerted the Scots and helped them win the battle. Page 1 of 4 The Battle of Largs Largs Viking Festival Largs’ Viking heritage is celebrated every year at the Largs Viking Festival. At the festival, visitors can go back in time and experience life in a Viking village. They can also watch a re-enactment of the Battle of Largs and the burning of a Viking longship. Life in a Viking village Burning of a Viking longship Battle of Largs re-enactment To mark the end of the festival, there is a fireworks display at the Pencil Monument. The monument was built in 1912 to commemorate the battle. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Macdonald , TheTechDave (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Page 2 of 4 The Battle of Largs Questions 1. Why was the Battle of Largs significant in Scottish history? 2. Which phrase in the text tells you that the battle was violent? 3. Who ordered the Vikings to invade Scotland and why? 4. Use three adjectives to describe what you think a Norseman would be like. 5. Do you think King Alexander III is a significant individual in Scotland? Explain your answer. 6. Why do you think it is unclear who won the battle? 7. Using the text and any other information you know about the Battle of Largs, which side do you think won? Explain your answer. 8. Name three attractions that visitors can see at the Largs Viking Festival. 9. Write three facts you have learnt about the Battle of Largs. Page 3 of 4 The Battle of Largs Questions Challenge: Design a leaflet to advertise the Largs Viking Festival. Things to include: • the date, time and place; • the different attractions visitors can see; • why the Battle of Largs is important.