Edward and the Irish Vikings

Question 1

How did Edward deal with the challenge of Raegnold and the Dublin Danes during his reign?

Answer 1

diplomacy and alliance to assert dominance

Question 2

How did Edward deal with the challenge of Sihtric in his reign?

Question 3

How successful is he in dealing with the threat they pose?

Question 4

Who was Raegnold?

Answer 4

Likely the grandson of Ivar the Boneless (one of the original leaders of the Great Heathen Army in the 860s)

Question 5

What is the context behind the Danes in Dublin?

Answer 5

• Danes had been raiding Ireland since around 795 - following a similar pattern to in England (targeting monasteries first before moving on to settlement) - hybrid culture emerged (‘Hiberno-Norse’)
• Dublin was a key trading centre and the most important Hiberno-Norse settlement

Question 6

What caused the Vikings from Dublin to come to England?

Answer 6

In 902, an alliance of Irish cheftians forced the Vikings from Dublin and they fled to the north-west of England, establishing a presence and communication with the other Vikings in the north-east (York)

Question 7

Timeline of Raegnald estbalishing his presence?

Answer 7

• Sometime between 913-915 - Raegnold arrives in Northumbria from Ireland - he fights Constantine of Scotland and Ealdred, Ealdorman of Bernicia, at the 1st Battle of Corbridge and is defeated
• Raegnold joins forces with another Viking fleet from Waterford to seek revenge on the Scots - and then also helps his cousin Sihtric defeat an Irish army and retake Dublin
• Raegnold defeats the Scots and the 2nd Battle of Corbridge, though with heavy losses (rumours of Anglo-Saxons fighting alongside him)
  919 - Raegnold storms and captures York
  920 - Sihtric attacks north-west Mercia
  921 - Raegnold dies and Sihtric succeeds him - coins minted that bear Sihtric’s name

Question 8

Evidence to suggest Raegnald was a threat:

Answer 8

• Clearly a skillful/talented military commander - victories off the coast of the Isle of Man and when invading Ireland in 917 - Battle of Corbridge still a success depsite casulties
• Forcibly took over York
• Potentially formidable heritage
• Openly pagan
• Issued coins as King of Northumbria from mint in York
• Connections with the King of Dublin (his cousin Sihtric, who he helped get his crown in 917)

Question 9

Evidence to suggest Raegnald was not a threat to edward :

Answer 9

• seems to have ultimately accepted edward as the overlord in 920
• never directly attacked Edward vs Sihtric who immidiately started raiding against Edward
• Overall mint responsibilty still seemed to lie with Archbishop of York