Battlefields›Battle of the Sound of Mull 1156
Early Medieval

Battle of the Sound of Mull 1156

1156
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: Somerled defeats Godred Crovan's descendant 1156
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Godred II (King of Man and the Isles)
VS
Victor
Somerled of Argyll
Outcome
Somerled won half the kingdom of the Isles; Norway's grip on the Hebrides weakened
The Battle

History & Significance

Somerled defeated his brother-in-law Godred II in a naval battle in the Sound of Mull, winning control of half the Kingdom of the Isles. This battle marks the beginning of the division of the Norse-Gaelic world between the Kingdom of Man (retaining the outer isles) and the new Lordship of the Isles under Somerled's descendants — the MacDonalds. Somerled's victory is one of the founding moments of the Hebridean political world.

Forces Involved

Somerled: c. 30–50 galleys. Godred II: c. 20–40 galleys.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of the Sound of Mull 1156

Dun Fhionnairidh, fort 540m SSE of Salachan
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~0.7 miles
Caisteal nan Con, fort and house, Killundine
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~1.8 miles
Pennygown, chapel, cross-shaft and graveyard
Scheduled monument · Medieval · ~2.1 miles
Killundine, kerb cairns 390m NNE of
Scheduled monument · Bronze Age · ~2.2 miles
Killundine,chapel and burial ground 850m NW of
Scheduled monument · Medieval · ~2.6 miles
More from this era

Other Early Medieval Battles

Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Argyllshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Argyllshire
All Battlefields