Consolidated under Godred Crovan (King Orry) in 1079, the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles – encompassing the islands of Orkney, Lewis, Skye and Mann (amongst others in the Hebrides) - is significant not only in understanding the role that the Vikings played in the context of the British Isles, but also as an example of Viking traditions, culture and even political ideas being transported beyond Norway.
The establishment of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles in 1079 was not a single or instantaneous act, but rather marked a significant point in over 200 years of Viking activity in the British Isles, activity which would continue in one way or another into the 13th Century.
In relation to the Viking world, the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles is therefore an example of how, away from Norway, the Vikings transplanted their principles, making a mark on the land they settled that would last for hundreds of years, through not only the landscape and archaeology but in politics, art and the popular imagination.
The Earls of Orkney
Orkney played an important role in the establishment and consolidation of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, making up part of the Norðr - from the Norse Norðreyjar - or northern part of the Kindgom of Mann and the Isles. Recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga of the late twelfth/early thirteenth century, the Earldom of Orkney would become an important player in the politics of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, with the Earls of Orkney ruling there for approximately 600 years.
The Isles of Lewis and Skye
The Isles of Lewis and Skye made up part of the Sudreys - from the Norse Suðreyjar - the Southern islands of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles.
The Lewis Chessmen
The Isle of Man
The mainland of the Sudreys, and the political center of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, the Isle of Man held a strategically important place in the Irish Sea. In the Isle of Man - as across this Viking kingdom - the arrival of the Vikings resulted in the mixing of cultures,
This mixing of cultures can be seen here, in the integration of Viking imagery and stories in Celtic Crosses:
Above are shown the Andreas 128 Cross (left) and the Andreas 121 Cross (right). The Andreas 128 Cross depicts Odin being eaten by Fenrir, and the Andreas 121 Cross depicts Sigurd after he has killed the dragon Fafnir, and is cooking the heart over the fire.
Timeline
This timeline, though not comprehensive of all events concerning the Vikings in the British Isles, instead provides a backdrop to events concerning the islands of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles and its surrounding area.
795 |
First recorded Viking raids on Scotland and Ireland |
839-40 |
Vikings winter in Ireland for the first time |
841 |
Viking base established at Dublin |
c.870 |
Earldom of Orkney established |
874-914 |
"Forty Years Rest" in Ireland |
937 |
English defeat the Norse-Scottish alliance at the Battle at Brunanburh |
1014 |
Battle of Clontarf: Earl Sigurd and King Brodir of Man killed |
c.1030-5 |
Battle of Tarbet Ness: Earl Thorfinn of Orkney wins control over most of Northern Scotland |
c.1050 |
Bishopric founded in Orkney |
1079 |
Battle of Skyhill, Isle of Man: Godred Crovan (King Orry) unites Man and Hebrides |
1095 |
Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, recognises Norwegian sovereignty over Hebrides |
1098 |
Magnus Barelegs establishes his authority over Kingdom of Mann and the Isles |
1103 |
Magnus Barelegs, King of Norway, killed raiding Ulster |
1156 |
Somerled wins Southern Hebrides from Godred II of Man |
1158 |
Somerled devastates Man |
1164 |
Somerled killed in ambush while raiding Scotland |
1266 |
Norway cedes Man and Hebrides to Scotland |
1469 |
Denmark cedes Orkney and Shetland to Scotland |
All dates obtained from John Haywood's 'The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings’ (Penguin, 1995) and in Else Roesdahl's ‘The Vikings’ Revised Edition (England: Penguin Books, 1998)
Paper
The above headings will have brief information/introductions to the Vikings in each area, they will be discussed in more detail in the paper itself.
(PDF version and possibly a BoxNet version)
Sources
Links
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