BattlefieldsNorse raid on Iona 806
Early Medieval

Norse raid on Iona 806

806
Argyllshire, Scotland
Also known as: Martyrdom of sixty-eight monks 806
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Argyllshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Iona monastic community
Forces
Iona monastic community: c. 68 monks killed at Martyrs Bay.
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Norse raiders: c. 60–150 warriors
Outcome
68 monks killed; Kells community established in Ireland to preserve the community
The Battle

History & Significance

The worst of the Viking raids on Iona — sixty-eight monks were killed in what the annals call the "martyrdom of Iona". The massacre prompted the relocation of the monastic community to Kells in Ireland. The Book of Kells — now in Trinity College Dublin — was probably begun at Iona and completed at Kells after the community fled. The 806 massacre was thus indirectly responsible for one of the world's great illuminated manuscripts.

Casualties & Losses

68 monks killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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