The Vikings in Wales
During the 300-year period of the Viking Age in Europe, there is very little
known about the settlement of the Vikings in Wales. Its being in the middle
of Ireland and Danelaw made Wales a natural target of the Scandinavian warriors.
Wales, located in the southwestern part of Great Britain, was not affected
by the Viking attacks as much as Ireland, Scotland and England.
However, there are still parts of Wales where the Vikings did settle, and they
are mostly on the southern part of the land. Here are some parts of Wales that
are raided and were used as a place for settlement by the Vikings:
· Gower
· Haverfordwest
· St. David
· Swansea
· Skomer
· Skokholm
King Rhodri, King Hywel and other Welsh kings made it difficult for the Vikings
to infiltrate Wales. From 795 to 971 A.D., there was a series of small-scale
raids made by the Vikings through majority of the southern part of Wales. Most
of the attacks made by the Vikings in Wales were religious in nature. On the
other hand, there were Scandinavians who lived in Wales as traders.
Most of the attacks and raids in were Wales originated from Vikings in Ireland.
Because of the power and influence of the Welsh kings, they were not able to
take control of the entire area although this did not stop the Norsemen from
attacking religious houses.
Although there were several blows landed by the Viking's raids on Wales, there
was very little or no hint at all of Scandinavian influence over the Welsh'
culture, politics, people and language.
Original Authors:
Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: None
Updated On: 05/12/2006
