Whilst Viking raids on the east coast of England, particularly at Lindisfarne, are well known, the presence of Vikings in the Irish Sea has been less well documented. Author David Griffiths aims to show how Viking raids on the west coast of England, the Isle of Man and on Ireland were followed firstly by temporary settlement, then by settlement in towns and on rural estates.
The Evidence for Viking Raids in the Irish Sea
The book opens with an explanation of the territories included within the Irish Sea Province, and a description of the area in the pre-Viking period. In 795AD, within two years of the devastation Viking attack on Lindisfarne, Vikings had moved across the Irish Sea seeking new territories, and were attacking Ireland. Many of the earliest raids involved the plunder of monasteries at Bangor, Downpatrick and Movilla. Vikings began to penetrate inland, and began to create land bases where boats could be repaired and supplies obtained. Gradually, many of these became permanent bases and Vikings began to trade and even intermarry with the native population.
Viking Place Names in England, Ireland and the Isle of Man
The fourth chapter of Vikings of the Irish Sea is a well-argued discussion of whether the occurrence of a place-name of Viking origin actually means that the place in question was originally a Viking settlement. According to Griffiths, many locations which were settled by Vikings actually retained their pre-Viking names, whilst others were renamed after Viking settlement, making the task of identifying Viking strongholds a complex one.
The author also explores territories, boundaries and defence, and the archaeology of rural settlements, all of which can give clues to how far Viking influence extended.
Viking Trade in and Around the Irish Sea
The chapter on Trade, Silver and Market Sites offers a comprehensive exploration of trade between Vikings and those with whom they came into contact on their explorations. Not all Viking missions were made with the purpose of theft and plunder; many communities traded willingly with Vikings. Slaves, livestock, jewellery and foodstuffs all made their way across the Irish Sea as the result of regular trade. The chapter has dozens of photographs and maps which help put recent finds into context.
Conclusion
According to Griffiths, the Irish Sea was a backdrop to the politics, settlement and economy of the Viking Age. Many elements of Scandinavian culture persisted for centuries after the Viking raids ceased, particularly in areas where Vikings had stayed and intermarried, allowing their culture to continue down the generations.
Summary
An intriguing and well-researched exploration of a fascinating aspect of Viking history. Author David Griffiths presents his arguments in a clear and logical fashion, using photographs and maps to enrich his narrative. He is honest about the fact that much research still needs to be done on this period, and on the places covered in the book. As he says in his conclusion, new research and findings could change within a moment, decades of painstaking research into a fascinating subject.
Publication Details
Griffiths, David Vikings of the Irish Sea[History Press, 2010] ISBN 9780752436463, 192 pages