Vikings In The Northern Isles Flashcards
Where were the first raids on England and when?
Portland, Dorset, 789
Lindasfarne, 793
What questions confront scholars when researching Viking settlement in the northern isles?
What type of settlement was it? Absorption, genocide or something else.
Who suggests Viking sites in the N Isles were just locals expressing Viking political structure?
Neil Sharples
What term is used to describe the point of settlement in Viking colonies?
Landnam
When was the Earldom of Orkney and Shetland said to have been created?
872
What period constitutes ‘late Norse occupation’ of the N isles?
1100-1300
Till when did Orkney remain under Scandinavian rule?
1469
Who describes the N Isles as a ‘Vikings lair’ and where?
Snorri Sturlson in Heinskringla
What example of literary evidence exists of N Isle settlement?
Orkneyingna saga or Earls Saga
What is the name of the variant of old Norse and where does it survive?
Norn, survives in written and oral tradition
Why is the Earls saga not to be trusted?
It’s propaganda stating the Earls right to Orkney, it states reindeer live in Orkney.
Where is the largest runic inscription and when does it date from?
The Neolithic chambered tomb of Maes Howe, believed to be 12th century runes
What evidence exists that suggests Orkney was settled by family units?
Genetic evidence
Where were the first settlements located?
Close to the sea
What is found on the coastline that is unique to the N isles?
Ship burials
