BattlefieldsViking Raid on St David's
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on St David's

982
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Also known as: Norse Raid Pembroke 982 · Vikings sack Menevia
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Dyfed / Deheubarth
Forces
Dyfed: c. 200–400
VS
Victor
Vikings / Norse
Forces
Vikings: c. 400–800
Outcome
Viking plunder of St David's cathedral; bishop killed
The Battle

History & Significance

St David's cathedral (Menevia) was one of the principal targets of Viking raiding in south Wales. The Welsh annals record multiple sackings — in 982 and on other occasions. The Vikings of Dublin used Pembrokeshire as a staging point for raids along the Bristol Channel. St David's was sacked so many times (at least five times between 820 and 1091) that it became almost an annual hazard. The cathedral that survives today is built in a hollow — a defensive measure to hide it from sea raiders.

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