Durham E-Theses Anglo-Scandinavians in north east England and south east Scotland between the eighth and eleventh centuries CARSON, JOHN,LUKE How to cite: CARSON, JOHN,LUKE (2017) Anglo-Scandinavians in north east England and south east Scotland between the eighth and eleventh centuries, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/13997/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 Anglo-Scandinavians in north east England and south east Scotland between the eighth and eleventh centuries Volume 1 of 2 John Luke Carson MA Archaeology by Research Department of Archaeology Durham University 2017 3 John Luke Carson Anglo-Scandinavians in north east England and south east Scotland between the eighth and eleventh centuries Abstract The aim of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of Anglo-Scandinavian presence in north east England and south east Scotland between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the form it took and the impact it had. Despite recent developments in the field of Anglo-Scandinavian archaeology in Britain and the new perspectives brought by new evidence to the understanding of Anglo-Scandinavian presence in Britain, very few of these have been applied or used in relation to north east England and south east Scotland. The result of this is that these regions have been left understudied and consequently the picture of Anglo-Scandinavian presence in these regions is outdated and does not reflect current developments. A study of current debates and modern developments will suggest which terminology offers the most accurate option for recognising material associated with the incoming Scandinavians in the archaeological record of eighth to eleventh century north east England and south east Scotland. The term Anglo-Scandinavian was seen as the most accurate alternative description to ‘Viking’. The collection of data for Anglo-Scandinavian presence in the region reflected recent debates and developments. The evidence was plotted and analysed to provide an understanding about Anglo-Scandinavian presence in the study region, the form it took and the impact it had. The main conclusion from this study is that the form and impact of Anglo-Scandinavian presence varied significantly throughout the study region. This project recommends that sites that which have produced significant sculptural or artefactual evidence for Anglo-Scandinavian activity be targeted for further investigation to provide a better understanding of the nature of Anglo-Scandinavian activity in the region. The study and creation of a typology for existing artefacts such as lead weights would provide a better understanding of the nature of activities such as trade, carried out by Anglo-Scandinavians. Keywords: Viking, Scandinavian, Anglo-Scandinavian, presence, impact, form, north east England, south east Scotland i Table of Contents Volume 1 List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. 7 List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... 8 List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................... 12 Statement of Copyright ........................................................................................................... 13 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 14 1.Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 15 1.1 Sites................................................................................................................................ 15 1.2 Burials ............................................................................................................................ 16 1.3 Sculpture ........................................................................................................................ 17 1.4 Research Focus .............................................................................................................. 20 1.5 Overall Research Aim and Individual Research Objectives .......................................... 22 1.6 Value of this Research ................................................................................................... 24 2.Literature Review ................................................................................................................. 26 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 26 2.2 Sources of evidence for the study of Anglo-Scandinavian presence in north east England and south east Scotland .................................................................................. 26 2.2.01 Historical Sources ..................................................................................................... 26 2.2.02 Artefacts .................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.03 Place-names .............................................................................................................. 29 2.2.04 Sculpture ................................................................................................................... 30 2.3 Debates about the number of settlers and their impact .................................................. 30 2.3.01 Maximalist Position .................................................................................................. 30 2.3.02 Maximalist Position in relation to Northumbria ....................................................... 32 2.3.03 Minimalist Position ................................................................................................... 33 2.3.04 Minimalist Position in relation to Northumbria ........................................................ 34 2.3.05 Conclusion about past debates on numbers and extent of presence ......................... 37 2.4 New Debates: Identity and Terminology ....................................................................... 40 2.4.01 Problems with the term ‘Viking’ .............................................................................. 40 1 2.4.02 Complexities of identities and factors contributing to identity ................................ 42 2.4.03 Political influence on identity ................................................................................... 43 2.4.04 Scandinavian influence on identity ........................................................................... 44 2.4.05 Conclusion about political and Scandinavian influence ........................................... 47 2.5 Alternatives to ‘Viking’ ................................................................................................. 49 2.5.01 Hybrid Identities and Viking diaspora ...................................................................... 49 2.5.02 Hybrid Identities – Definition, Application and Proponents .................................... 50 2.5.03 Disadvantages of hybrid identities............................................................................ 52 2.5.04 Advantages of hybrid identities ................................................................................ 53 2.5.05 Viking diaspora – Definition, Application, Proponents and Advantages ................. 55 2.5.06 Disadvantages of Viking diaspora ............................................................................ 56 2.5.07 Identity Conclusion – The best alternative to ‘Viking’ ............................................ 59 2.6 Overall Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 60 3.Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 61 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 61 3.2 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 61 3.3 Framework for data analysis .......................................................................................... 65 3.4 Limitations and potential problems ............................................................................... 66 4.Data Collection ..................................................................................................................... 69 4.1 Tees Valley and southern County Durham ...................................................................