Battlefields›Norse Raid on Iona 806
Early Medieval

Norse Raid on Iona 806

806
Argyll, Scotland
Also known as: Martyrdom of the Community of Iona 806
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyll, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Iona monastic community
Forces
Iona monastic community: c. 68+ monks (68 killed at Martyrs Bay).
VS
Victor
Norse raiders
Forces
Norse raiders: c. 50–120 warriors
Outcome
68 monks massacred at Martyrs Bay
The Battle

History & Significance

The slaughter of 68 monks at Martyrs Bay on Iona in 806 is the bloodiest single Norse attack on the community and prompted the permanent establishment of a sister house at Kells.

Casualties & Losses

68 monks killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Norse Raid on Iona 806

Iona Nunnery
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Iona, McLean's Cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
St Mary's Abbey, Iona, monastic settlement
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Iona,Cladh an Diseart,chapel
Scheduled monument · Medieval · ~0.6 miles
Tormore Quarry, quarry, spoil heaps, trackways and pier, Fionnphort
Scheduled monument · ~0.9 miles
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