The Vikings in Scotland
Perhaps one of the most colourful 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 was another king in Scotland. This signalled 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 was clearly felt from 830 A.D. up until 1468.
Original Authors: Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 17/07/2008
