Behold a Pale Horseman...and Hell Followed with Him... The Viking Raids continue...Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey, 794 Our previous post looked at the start of the Viking Age with the raid on the monastery at Lindisfarne. However, despite the wishful thinking of the locals and clergy at the time, this was no once-off, no mere isolated incident of rapine and ravaging. On the contrary, it was the first domino that would set off a chain of destruction that would rock all of Northern Europe and change the course of history. Not as well-known as Lindisfarne, but perhaps more important, was the Abbey of Monkwearmouth–Jarrow. It was the centre of Anglo-Saxon learning, the home of the venerable Bede and the focal point of the The Saxon Golden Age. Of course, it also had a veritable Kings Ransom in gold and other precious metals, and it was entirely defenceless! In fact, its only protection was its piety - which is no protection when faced with a horde of Odin-Worshipping, Axe-Wielding Maniacs! The Vikings couldnt believe their luck - I mean what sort of idiots store all of their most valuable treasures in communal buildings guarded by a bunch of dress-wearing, weaponless, shaven-headed pansies? You couldnt have asked for more trouble if youd taken out an ad in Viking Weekly under the heading, Looking for somewhere to Raid? Try us! Unimaginable wealth, easy prey, defenceless buildings and the odd-bit of raping (nuns) with about as much risk as downing mead in an unfamiliar horn...what more could you ask for? Needless to say, the Abbey became a popular tourist spot for our Northern visitors for the next six decades, until eventually, an over-zealour party actually went too far and destroyed it completely!
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:38:07 +0000
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