BattlefieldsNorse Raid on Pembroke Coast 860
Early Medieval

Norse Raid on Pembroke Coast 860

860
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Welsh coastal communities
Forces
unorganised Welsh coastal communities
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse Irish Sea raiders
Outcome
Pembrokeshire coastal settlements plundered; Norse withdrew to sea bases
The Battle

History & Significance

Norse raiders operating from Irish Sea bases struck the Pembrokeshire coast around 860, plundering coastal settlements and probing inland. The Pembrokeshire coast with its many sheltered inlets was ideal for Viking landing operations. The raids disrupted the agricultural economy of Deheubarth and forced the abandonment of exposed coastal settlements. Several Norse place-names survive along the Pembrokeshire coast from this period.

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