BattlefieldsNorse-Northumbrian Battle of Carlisle Region 875
Early Medieval

Norse-Northumbrian Battle of Carlisle Region 875

875
Cumbria, England
Also known as: Halfdan ravages Bernicia 875 · Viking devastation of Bernicia
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Cumbria, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Bernicians
Forces
dispersed Bernician population.
VS
Victor
Vikings (Halfdan)
Forces
c. 1,500–2,500 Halfdan's raiding force
Outcome
Halfdan ravaged Bernicia and the lands of the Picts; Lindisfarne community fled; bishop of Hexham driven out
The Battle

History & Significance

After sharing out Yorkshire farmland among his followers, Halfdan led his army north through Bernicia, ravaging as far as the Tyne and Solway. The bishop of Hexham was driven from his see; the Lindisfarne community began their long wandering with the body of St Cuthbert. The devastation of Bernicia in 875 was distinct from the more settled Viking occupation of Deira (Yorkshire) and explains the different character of Viking impact north and south of the Tyne.

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