BattlefieldsNorse-Irish Siege of York (919 AD — Ragnall)
Early Medieval

Norse-Irish Siege of York (919 AD — Ragnall)

919
West Riding, England
Also known as: Ragnall takes York 919 · Norse-Irish reconquest of Jorvik
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
West Riding, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English Northumbrians
Forces
English Northumbrians c.2,000–4,000.
VS
Victor
Ragnall ua Imair (Norse-Irish)
Forces
Ragnall ua Imair c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
York seized; Ragnall became king of Jorvik; Northumbrian resistance suppressed
The Battle

History & Significance

Ragnall ua Imair, grandson of Ivar the Boneless and leader of the Norse-Irish, seized York in 919 after defeating the Northumbrians at the second Battle of Corbridge. His seizure of Jorvik began the period of Norse-Irish kingship in York that would last, with interruptions, until Eric Bloodaxe's death in 954. It was the Norse-Irish rather than the original Great Heathen Army who dominated Jorvik in its later period.

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