Leicestershire History | News and Features: The Viking Invasion of Leicestershire
The Viking Invasion of Leicestershire We know exactly when the Viking Age began in England – it was more than 1,200 years ago – on June 8, 793. That was the day when invading Norsemen destroyed the Abbey church on the island of Lindisfarne, off the north-east coast of England. Lindisfarne was a centre of learning famous across the continent – but that meant nothing to these fierce invaders. The Vikings arrived in England in 793 AD Monks were either killed in the abbey, thrown into the sea to drown or carried away as slaves – along with the church’s treasures. The devastation of Nort...