The Vikings in Scotland
Perhaps one of the most colorful and interesting parts of European history
was during the 300-year period of the Viking Age that began in 796 A.D. This
is the time when Scandinavian warriors, known as Vikings, conducted a slew of
raids all across Europe, extending to Africa, Asia and America.
When these Scandinavian warriors attacked a Jarrow monastery, the people resisted
so they were forced to look for other lands to conquer. From England, they moved
on to Ireland where they founded Dublin.
Scotland is another part of the British Isles that the Vikings later on conquered
and settled in. In 830 A.D., there was an increase in the number of Viking attacks
in Scotland. Nine years later, the Vikings moved on to the central and northern
part of Scotland. These places were also considered to be a part of the Viking
colony:
· Tay Valley
· Earn Valley
· Shetland
· Western Isles
· Orkney
· Sutherland
· Caitness
· Galloway
The Scandinavian warriors' powers were felt even more when they murdered the
king of the Picts and his brother who is another king in Scotland. This signaled
the fall of the Pictish leadership during that time, with the addition of the
killing of members of the Pictish aristocracy. During their reign in Scotland,
the Vikings settled in Galloway, Shetland and the Isle of Man.
One of the greatest influences that the Vikings gave to Scotland was literature.
The Orkeyinga Saga, King Harald's Saga and the Laxdaela Saga are just some of
the great
Literary works during the 13th century.
There was not much left out of the records during the earliest period of the
Viking occupation in Scotland, although their presence were clearly felt from
830 A.D. up until 1468.
Original Authors:
Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: None
Updated On: 05/12/2006
