Battlefields›Viking sack of Lindisfarne (second)
Early Medieval

Viking sack of Lindisfarne (second)

875
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Lindisfarne abandoned 875
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Monks of Lindisfarne
Forces
Lindisfarne monks c. 50–100 unarmed religious.
VS
Victor
Vikings (Halfdan's forces)
Forces
Vikings c. 500–1,000 warriors
Outcome
Monks fled with relics of St Cuthbert; began 120-year wandering before settling at Chester-le-Street
The Battle

History & Significance

Halfdan's army ranged through Northumberland in 875 forcing the Lindisfarne community to abandon their island permanently. The wandering community of St Cuthbert became a defining episode in Durham's religious identity — they eventually settled at Durham in 995

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Viking sack of Lindisfarne (second)

Defended settlement, 600m south east of Red Stead
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
The Norse Camp
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Lesbury Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~2.4 miles
Craster defended settlement
Scheduled monument · ~3.7 miles
Low Buston medieval settlement, 231m south east of Low Buston Hall
Scheduled monument · ~4.7 miles
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