Battlefields›Raid on Lindisfarne
Early Medieval

Raid on Lindisfarne

795
Northumberland, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Irish monasteries (Lambay, Rathlin)
Forces
Irish monastic garrisons c.50–150
VS
Victor
Norse Vikings
Forces
Norse raiders c.300–600
Outcome
Viking raiders sack Rathlin Island monastery
The Battle

History & Significance

The first recorded Viking raid on Ireland — the same year as raids on Lambay Island near Dublin and on the Scottish coast. Marks the beginning of the Viking Age in Ireland. The raiders returned repeatedly over the following decades, establishing longphorts (fortified harbours).

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Raid on Lindisfarne

Medieval chapel and associated building on St Cuthbert's Isle
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
The Fort on the Heugh and underlying midden
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Boundary cross 170m south west of Herring House
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Lindisfarne Priory pre-Conquest monastery and post-Conquest Benedictine cell
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Lime kilns
Scheduled monument · ~2.1 miles
More from this era

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Battle of Crecganford
456
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Battle of Aylesford
455
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Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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