The Viking Age and the Norman Conquest of 1066
The Viking Age: Invasion and Expansion (c. 800–1050)
The period known as ‘The Viking Age’ lasted approximately 800–1050 CE. During this time, Vikings expanded across vast territories:
- They reached Russia, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
- They sailed the North Atlantic, settling in Greenland, Iceland, and Newfoundland.
Viking Shipbuilding and Seafaring Skills
Viking success was built on their superiority in shipbuilding technology and sailing skills.
- The longest Viking ships were over 35 meters long and were crewed by eighty men.
- They were constructed from durable woods: oak, ash, elm, or pine.
- Their symmetrical design meant the ships were easy to maneuver, allowing for rapid raids and retreats.
Viking Raids and Settlement in the British Isles
The first raids in the British Isles began toward the end of the 8th century:
- The infamous Viking raid on Lindisfarne monastery occurred in 793 CE.
- Ireland:
- Raids targeted monasteries (e.g., Clonmacnoise).
- Settlement began in Dublin in the mid-9th century.
- Territorial control was established between approximately 840 and 1014.
- Scotland:
- Key targets included Iona, the Shetlands, the Orkneys, and the Hebrides.
- The Hebrides remained part of the Viking kingdom until the 13th century.
- The Shetlands and Orkneys were ceded to Scotland in the 15th century.
- Wales successfully evaded the major Viking threat until the mid-9th century.
Shifting Tactics: From Seasonal Raids to Conquest
Initially, attacks were seasonal: raiders set out in the spring and returned in the autumn.
By the late 9th century, Danish Vikings were moving larger forces, sailing up French rivers, attacking major cities (such as Paris), and moving south to Lisbon, Seville, and into the Mediterranean.
In England, territorial control began in East Anglia and Northumbria starting around 860 CE, culminating in control of all of England from 1015 to 1042.
The Vikings remained in the Scottish Isles longer than in any other part of Great Britain and Ireland.
Rather than replacing the former Anglo-Saxon culture, the Vikings were largely assimilated.
Trade and the Importance of Viking York
Viking trade networks were extensive, bringing diverse goods across continents:
- Silks and coins from Samarkand.
- Red Sea shells and coral.
- Amber and Byzantine luxuries.
Cultural Impact: Scandinavian Loanwords in English
Some 1,000 words of Scandinavian origin entered the English language.
- A key indicator is words beginning with ‘sk-’: skirt, sky, skin.
- Other common loanwords include: both, same, call, get, give, fellow, take, again, anger, bag, birth, cake, die, dirt, egg, flat, fog, guess, happy, husband, ill, knife, law, leg, neck, odd, root, seat, seem, scare, sister, smile, sprint, Thursday, and window.
Important Note: Only approximately 150 of these loanwords are recorded in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts; most do not appear until the early 12th century.
The Norman Conquest of 1066
The year 1066 marks the Norman Conquest, sometimes referred to historically as The Norman Yoke.
The Road to Hastings
William, Duke of Normandy, claimed the English throne following the death of Edward the Confessor, who had no direct heir.
King Harold Godwinson, the newly crowned English king, first had to face Viking forces in the North.
Harold then marched swiftly south to stop the Normans at the Battle of Hastings.
Factors Contributing to the Norman Victory
- The English army was tired from fighting in the North.
- The Normans utilized superior forces, including cavalry (horses) and archers.
- Norman strategy and tactics proved decisive.
The Normans (on horseback) attacked the English soldiers from both sides. The English, who were all on foot, protected themselves with a defensive shield wall.
Profound Changes Following the Conquest
William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066.
Introduction of the Feudal System
The conquest led to the immediate introduction of the Feudal System, which involved the holding of land in exchange for service or rent.
- The Barons (heavyweight aristocrats) were Normans and spoke French.
- They brought with them retinues (which we would now call their staff).
Linguistic Shift
French became the dominant language of the royal court, the legal system, and the church elite, profoundly influencing the development of Middle English.
" } } >