The Fury of the Northmen: Saints, Shrines and Sea-Raiders in the Viking Age A.D. 793-878

by John Marsden

Setting out to reveal the Viking onslaught from the viewpoint of those who felt its might, this book offers an evocation of the last years of the 8th century, as the holy places which had been the great civilizing force of early-medieval Europe became doomed. The raid on Lindisfarne, followed by those on the Tyne, on Iona and on the Irish coastline, showed the holy men the strength and greed of the Northern raiders, as detailed in contemporary documents. The author also wrote "Northanhymbre Saga", a history of the kings of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Medieval, Ireland

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

John Marsden is the author of a number of books on the early history of Scotland and Northumbria, including Somerled and Galloglas. In recent years he has made his home in the Western Isles of Scotland.

Reviews

[Louise Hite · Rating 4 out of 5]

The United Kingdom was raided continuously by the Norse vikings beginning in the 6th century. They started on the north east coast of now Scotland on the Island of Lindisfarme where there was a cathedral of Saint Cuthbert. The Vikings moved down the coast as far York. They then moved to Ireland and did the same. There was a lot of conflict between the leaders of the now United Kingdom as well as between the vikings and the nation leaders. The local feuding made it easy for the vikings to win land. The Danes were prominent in raiding the UK. Toward the 8th and 9th Century, Alfred from North Umbria united all the various leaders and became the king of the land.
The book reads like I think a thesis would read. Making statements and then telling about the supporting documentation. At least what I think a thesis would read like.
Interesting history I never knew.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very academic book and quite biased to the Christian viewpoint, although the title kind if gives that away. It does try to verify dates and information and in this is very good. It does, however, continue the myth of dangerous, heathen murderers, which whilst partially true kind of forgets that Britain was attacked by Saxons and Danes 200 years before as well, who then conveniently became Anglo Saxons and therefore British!! It is still informative and an interesting read but very heavy going.

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Specifically a study of the Norse raids (and warfare) as they impacted the monastaries and other religious sites in England, Scotland and Ireland. Well researched, but not exactly a gripping page-turner.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a careful study of the fragments of original documents and secondary sourcing in search of a correct time line for the waves of invasions to what is now Great Britain.

It was a bit too scholarly for me, but I did learn from it.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of history on the different monasteries and shrines hit by the Vikings. Focuses on the perceived sacrilege and portend of endtimes the raids created among the faithful.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from the library and found it did not contain too much that was unknown to me, sadly. A fairly basic text on the beginnings of the Viking Age.

[James Cronic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much more about the Christian reaction to the Norse and Danes than actually about the Northmen

[Pat Loughery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to buy a copy for my Celtic bookshelf. Extremely well researched, and a critical look at the impact of the Northmen/Vikings on the people in British/Celtic lands, beginning with the first raid on Lindisfarne and then Iona and all around the coasts.

I skimmed that last 2/3 of the book, enough to know that this is a good one to refer back to for a different perspective and good historical data.