Early Viking raids
I can describe the early Viking raids on the island of Lindisfarne.
Early Viking raids
I can describe the early Viking raids on the island of Lindisfarne.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The attack on Lindisfarne (where Bede had once lived) in 793 CE was the first major Viking raid on the British Isles.
- The Vikings attacked using longboats crewed by about 30 warriors who could land, attack, and leave quickly.
- Priories like those in Lindisfarne were centres of manuscript production and filled with valuable religious objects.
- The Vikings murdered monks and stole these objects for trade and their own wealth.
Keywords
Raid - a raid is a rapid surprise attack, usually involving stealing something
Longboat - a longboat is a long, light and slender boat that the Vikings used to travel
Priory - a priory is a building lived in by a community who follow religious vows
Manuscript - a manuscript is a book or document written by hand
Monk - a monk is a member of a religious community of men
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the Vikings' motivation to raid Lindisfarne was to murder the monks rather than it being a consequence of the raids.
The Vikings raided monasteries because they were easy targets on the coast and they had many valuable objects they could steal.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a building lived in by a community who follow religious vows
a book or document written by hand
a member of a religious community of men