Battlefields›Norse Raid on Iona 986
Early Medieval

Norse Raid on Iona 986

986
Scotland
Also known as: Viking Sack of Iona 986
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Iona monastic community
Forces
Iona: c. 15–25 monks
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse: c. 200–400
Outcome
Abbot and fifteen monks killed at the shore
The Battle

History & Significance

This late tenth-century sack killed the abbot and the remnant community, demonstrating that Iona remained a target for Norse raiders even as Christianity spread through Scandinavia.

Casualties & Losses

Abbot and 15 monks killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Norse Raid on Iona 986

Iona Nunnery
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Iona, McLean's Cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
St Mary's Abbey, Iona, monastic settlement
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Iona,Cladh an Diseart,chapel
Scheduled monument · Medieval · ~0.7 miles
Dun Cul Bhuirg, fort 770m NW of Culbuirg, Iona
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~1.1 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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