BattlefieldsViking Raid on Llanbadarn 987
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on Llanbadarn 987

987
Ceredigion, Wales
Also known as: Norse sack of Llanbadarn monastery 987
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Ceredigion, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Deheubarth
Forces
Deheubarth: c. 100–200
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Vikings: c. 300–600
Outcome
Llanbadarn monastery sacked; 2,000 people allegedly captured as slaves
The Battle

History & Significance

The annals record that Llanbadarn Fawr near Aberystwyth was sacked by Norse raiders in 987 with the capture of an enormous number of people as slaves. Llanbadarn was one of the most important monastic centres of mid-Wales and its sack was a cultural as well as human catastrophe. The taking of slaves, rather than just portable wealth, was a particular characteristic of Norse raiding in the Irish Sea zone. The community took generations to recover.

Casualties & Losses

2,000 allegedly enslaved

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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