BattlefieldsViking Raid on Penmon 971
Early Medieval

Viking Raid on Penmon 971

971
Anglesey, Wales
Also known as: Norse sack of Penmon monastery Anglesey 971
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Anglesey, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Gwynedd
Forces
Gwynedd garrison c.50–150; monastic raid.
VS
Victor
Vikings (Norse from Ireland)
Forces
Irish Norse c.200–400
Outcome
Penmon monastery on Anglesey sacked; monks killed or captured; library destroyed
The Battle

History & Significance

The monastery of Penmon on Anglesey, one of the earliest Christian foundations in north Wales attributed to St Seiriol, was raided by Norse forces from Dublin. Anglesey's exposed position made it the most frequently raided part of Wales. The Welsh annals record multiple Norse attacks on Anglesey in the tenth century. The building of the current Penmon priory church dates to the post-Viking period when it was safe to build in stone again.

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