BattlefieldsViking raid on Wearmouth monastery 794
Early Medieval

Viking raid on Wearmouth monastery 794

794
Tyne and Wear, England
Also known as: Wearmouth Viking raid 794
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Tyne and Wear, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Monks of Wearmouth
Forces
monastic garrison c.50–150
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Norse raiders c.300–600
Outcome
Vikings raided the twin monastery of Wearmouth founded by Benedict Biscop; monks killed or scattered; treasures plundered
The Battle

History & Significance

The raid on Wearmouth (paired with Jarrow, where Bede had lived) struck at the heart of Northumbrian scholarship and Christianity. The twin monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow was the greatest centre of learning in northern Europe; its repeated Viking attacks destroyed the community Bede had made famous

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