BattlefieldsSomerled Epiphany Sea Battle 1156
Medieval

Somerled Epiphany Sea Battle 1156

1156
Scotland
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Godred II of Man
Forces
Godred II of Man Hebridean Norse fleet
VS
Victor
Somerled
Forces
Somerled Argyll fleet of modified galleys
Outcome
Somerled defeated the Manx fleet in night action; the Hebrides were formally divided with Somerled taking Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Gigha and Kintyre while Godred retained Lewis, Skye and the northern isles.
The Battle

History & Significance

The naval battle fought on the night of Epiphany January 1156 between Somerled and Godred II of Man was the decisive naval action of the twelfth-century Hebrides. Somerled had modified his galleys with stern rudders giving them superior manoeuvrability over the Norse longships. The resulting division of the Hebrides created the political geography that would shape the Lordship of the Isles for the next three centuries.

Questions & Answers

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