BattlefieldsNorse Siege of Dumbarton Rock 870
Early Medieval

Norse Siege of Dumbarton Rock 870

870
Scotland
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Arthgal of Strathclyde
Forces
Arthgal King of Strathclyde and Dumbarton garrison
VS
Victor
Olaf the White and Ivar the Boneless
Forces
Olaf the White and Ivar the Boneless Norse-Irish fleet of 200 ships
Outcome
Dumbarton Rock fell after four-month siege; the Strathclyde British capital was sacked and burned. Vast numbers of captives taken to Dublin slave market.
The Battle

History & Significance

Olaf the White King of Dublin and Ivar the Boneless led a Norse fleet that besieged Dumbarton Rock for four months before the fortress fell. The sack of Dumbarton Alt Clut was the greatest military catastrophe in the history of the Strathclyde Britons. The Norse carried away an enormous train of captives and treasure including enslaved Britons, Scots and Picts. This was the largest Norse military operation on the British mainland.

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