Vikings of the Irish Sea : conflict and assimilation AD 790-1050

Vikings began raiding islands and monasteries on the Atlantic fringes of Europe in the 790s. The Irish Sea rapidly became one of their most productive hunting-grounds. Attacks, battles and destruction were accompanied by trade - in slaves, silver and fine objects. Vikings crossed and re-crossed the Irish Sea in search of land, wealth and power. Raids were followed by settlement, firstly in fortified camps, and later in towns, market enclaves and rural estates. Vikings came into contact with existing populations in Ireland, Britain and the Isle of Man. Viking paganism, demonstrated by spectacular burials, was gradually eclipsed by Christianity. By 1050, the process of assimilation was well under way, yet Viking influence and distinctiveness did not altogether disappear. This book takes the sea as its starting point, and looks afresh at the story of a supremely opportunistic people who left their mark in ways which still resonate today. This book looks at the activities of the Vikings in the Irish Sea, a band of water that has been important since prehistoric times in the history of maritime cultural exchange between Britain and Ireland as well as the Scandinavian countries. The Vikings fully exploited their naval dominance to exert their influence across this area and David Griffiths presents a unique overview of the results of this dominance. The book will look in detail at the activities of the Vikings in Wales, NW England, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Ireland. The archaeological evidence such as silver hoards and burials, along with the evidence of place-names, settlement and sculpture provide a fascinating insight into the mechanisms of Viking power in these areas. Contents 6 List of Illustrations 8 Preface 12 Introduction 14 Raids and Early Settlement in Ireland 27 Exporting Violence and Seeking Landfall c. 850–c. 1050 38 Land-Take and Landscape 49 Burial: Changing Rites, New Places 72 Trade, Silver and Market Sites 101 Towns and Urbanisation 121 Assimilation and Cultural Change 141 Conclusion 158 List of Abbreviations 162 Notes 162 Bibliography 173 Vikings began raiding islands and monasteries on the Atlantic fringes of Europe in the 790s. The Irish Sea rapidly became one of their most productive hunting-grounds. Viking paganism, demonstrated by spectacular burials, was gradually eclipsed by Christianity. This book looks afresh at the story of this supremely opportunistic people. Looking at the activities of the Vikings in the Irish Sea, this book presents a unique overview of the results of their dominance on this important band of water