Retracing The REAL Great Viking Army | With Dan Snow and Dr Cat Jarman

[@funjuror]

I like the way Dr Cat doesn't get carried away with hyperbole comments like," We think so, "Maybe, possibly, as far as we can tell, etc.

[@kylewren7012]

i dont think you understand the definition of hyperbole. What you quoted isn't exaggeration you muppet

[@Draggis92]

I live in Oslo, Norway, and recently visited the viking ships at display here. I am proud of our strong heritage. The Vikings were as much travelers, explorers and merchants, as they were warriors.

[@kimberlypatton205]

You are fortunate indeed!

[@skepticalbadger]

They were also murderers and rapists (yes, so were warriors of other cultures but still).

[@Draggis92]

@@skepticalbadger Indeed. Perfectly normal at the time.

[@bazsnell3178]

And they were the Conquerors of Paris, France, and the original ancestors of the Russians - they were called 'the Rus'.

[@KK-fi6ms]

@@bazsnell3178 Although their country was named after the Rus, majority of Russians are Slavic. Only the Rurikid dynasty and some other families were of Rus origin, i.e. descendants of Vikings.

[@sykesalecsykesleamas6805]

I am half Norwegian (born and raised) and half English. I love both countries and their shared history. Thanks for an interesting documentary!

[@maisoncosarde877]

You’ve probably been for longer than you think..

[@reed3249]

what shared history? norwegians had a minimal impact on english history. it was danes whose settled and conquered england. the vikings tv show has attempted to rewrite history and give it to norway and i guess that is where you get the idea from.

[@haraldsigurdsson1232]

@@reed3249 People from all Scandianavian countrys settled in England and were part of the great viking army. "Dane" was used for all Scandinavians then.

[@maisoncosarde877]

@@reed3249 at the time they were called Norsemen. Despite, in France, the vikings settled in Normandy (Norse land in French) of which some were Danes but there were « Norwegians » as well as Swedes. After William the conqueror, the UK effectively was ruled by sovereigns who were part Norse. So no, there is in fact a big impact of the Viking and Norse culture dating way back in the UK. Also check out Cnut The great, King of England, Danemark and Norway and tell us how the Norwegians had little impact in the uk. I’m listening 👂

[@pres5049]

@@reed3249 thats shared history my friend, you should do your research better before making such comments

[@count69]

18:22 I REALLY thought he was going to say "The most interesting part of Edward's life is that he was 5 foot 6 inches tall at the start of his reign, but only 4 foot 8 inches tall at the end of it" (Monty Python "Oliver Cromwell")

[@Gonefishing6572]

Ahhh that would be king Edmund 🤴. They took his head must you take away his name. 😅

[@sandraholland2706]

I am from Norfolk and discovered that i am 50.9% Scandinavian which i find amazing, plenty of place name evidence for settled vikings in my part of Norfolk. Always been interested in the viking. Love this documentary.

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Fascinating!

[@larsbjrnson3101]

The name Norfolk has Viking origins and means ‘people from the north'

[@Matoakas]

​@@larsbjrnson3101 Same does A LOT of words. Like church, window and not surprisingly more ''violent'' words, like berserk, knife, ransack and slaughter. It's many many more too

[@kevwhufc8640]

Norfolk became part of Danelaw I believe.

[@Darkseid1985]

Not that amazing 90% of the population of the United Kingdom is a descended of Scandinavian blood the vikings made a hell of a lot of women pregnant over the 200 years or so they raided/settled here. That’s just facts so no your not special

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

This documentary is fasicinating . History hit tv is actually the netflix of history . Your huge fan from sri lanka . ❤️❤️

[@scootergoat98]

Being lucky enough to live in York I have seen first hand what the Vikings were capable of, but this has taught me so much more. Thankyou guys 🫡

[@Restrodsworth]

How old are you 1200? 😂

[@scootergoat98]

@@Restrodsworth reading that back it looks that way 🤣

[@RealtalkManc]

What ??? Are you on drugs ??

[@PeterParker-yr8yb]

😅👏👌

[@jozzieokes3422]

​@@scootergoat98haha

[@beachcomberbloke462]

Absolutely enthralled by this account of the Great Viking Army. Ties in nicely with Bernard Cornwells Viking TV seies,i wish Cat Jarman had been my history teacher she really brings history alive.Also i love Dan Snows school boyish enthusiasm.👍

[@GavTatu]

i am just re-binging the last kingdom !

[@robertmcgovern8850]

Agree! It was so good, I just subscribed to HH. 🙂

[@killforkylie]

Cat Jarman's book "River Kings" is excellent.

[@Raz.C]

Yeah, well... At least NOW we know where Benny Hill got his idea for his iconic chase scenes...

[@jonathanwright3049]

If you like watching History documentaries of all kinds, then History Hit is worth it.

[@KhaozVoid]

It's definetly badass. Tho there's enough free shit here on YT that I'm not really compelled to pay anything for a service 🤷‍♂️

[@twonumber22]

"The Ancients" is the best one.

[@judebaber5695]

Totally agree…I really enjoy watching History Hits documentaries 🙂

[@ahmedizyan5287]

Indeed sir

[@Hellsprite67]

Really love listening to Cat Jarman talk about Vikings. Missing her on the Gone Medieval podcast.

[@RebeccaRhymer]

I know this comment is old but you can hear Cat on the Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast. Highly recommend! My favourite podcast these days.

[@alistairlambert3275]

What a compelling documentary, Dan Snow brings the subject to life with passionate history experts.

[@manuelkong10]

GREAT documentary and Cat Jarman is AMAZING....needs her own show....

[@Johnnyhudson773]

As a Chinese, I love the history of Britain. Thank you for an interesting documentary!

[@whenshithitsthefans]

Reading Yee Ching it's fabulous 😃

[@OldieBugger]

My family comes from southern Sweden (Småland I believe) but a forefather of mine moved to Finland right after the 30-year war. It is interesting to hear about my ancestors.

[@thesaurus9226]

The Swedish vikings mostly headed east, for Russia and the varangian guard in byzantium :)

[@Facedless]

@@thesaurus9226 Not if you're to believe the stories, Björn Ironside and his line were Swedish Vikings who supposedly led the Great Heathen Army

[@airaetaiel444]

Björn is a figure of legend. He didn't exist, nor did his father Regnar Lodbrog

[@maksimlipecki232]

Great documentary. Dan Snow and Dr Cat Jarman are amazing presenters.

[@blockingthesunmusic]

Epic documentary! Thank you everyone who worked on this, tremendous job well done.

[@Thickcurves]

It's a history channel and I know they use reenactors, but when you show any army from the past.... spears! Spears, spears, spears. Every chad has to be the special man with a sword and axe. Spears, the armies and raiders lived by the spear, not the word and axe. Spears where cheap and more effective and the sword or axe is the back up.

[@josephschlickbernd7892]

Thanks!

[@josephschlickbernd7892]

Hope this will help with your expenses. I really enjoy your channel.

[@HistoryHit]

Thank you so much Joseph!

[@timmaxwell2348]

Fascinating, and wonderfully presented. I especially like that Cat (as Dan points out) thinks of anything "only a few hundred years old" as "very, very recent." Really puts a nice perspective on the concept of "ancient" history :)

[@legendary_catzz930]

HIstory Hit has really become one of my favorite channels over the past few weeks. I have seen videos with both of these people and both are great personalities and very entertaining historians to watch, I mean if i was a teacher I would probably show this to my history class one day.

[@soupdragon151]

Its really good

[@bradleyfriend496]

I love how giddy Dr got when talking about touching the same pillars as the Vikings. Very relatable history major feeling.

[@LaWraWaN]

This was great! As a Dane I love to hear and learn about Vikings. :)

[@DJ10ROCS]

A fantastic watch! Great work History Hit team!

[@RNCguy]

Awesome video! Been watching Dan and his late father for decades and i cant get enough

[@deanmc178]

loved this bit of history dan ,and cat giving us the diary of the events was brilliant

[@yugster78]

All of dan's stuff is class.

[@lewis45acp]

As an avid HH podcast listener, I have two big takeaways - 1. Dan Snow is a giant 2. Dr Jarman is just as lovely as her mellifluous voice

[@cleverusername9369]

I believe Dan is something like 6'6"/200 cm tall, he is quite a towering gentleman. The good Dr Jarman looks about 5'2" and is quite easy on the eyes.

[@thewhitedoncheadle8345]

wish dan knew how to close his mouth when eating though

[@philturner1826]

What a brilliant programme, thanks.

[@Sarge80]

That is funny, you see them really struggling to get up on the old motte and then you see stairs on the other side hahaha

[@beeman2075]

I noticed that also haha. It would be fascinating to see the motte with the fortifications that were on it in ancient times.

[@Sarge80]

@@beeman2075 Agreed, to bad that wood/timber doesnt leave any traces to be found except stains in the dirt.

[@fredowen64]

So much history of them missing...loved watching this, thankyou both.

[@Mma-basement-215]

I love your work together she's amazing and beautiful and Dan your awesome well done love it

[@wilsontheconqueror8101]

As an American listening to the history of the Vikings conquests & travels is fascinating! From their forays into the British Isles and the continent.all the way to Constantinople & even the middle east & America itself! Whats interesting is their political & religious transformation ultimately to become Christian Kings, like Harald Hardrada & William the Conqueror.

[@stenerline]

Have you read about the Normans in Sicily and their participation in the first crusade to control trade in competition with Constantinople

[@soupdragon151]

Aye its pretty amazing. Hardrada was not a christian though

[@Ptls68]

Harald Bluetooth made the danes Christian about year 800

[@johnnewsam1299]

Very well put together video

[@Paeoniarosa]

I'm now very interested in visiting Repton someday. Fascinating.

[@soupdragon151]

Its a very small place barely a village but was once the capital of a kingdom

[@ianthomas739]

Never heard of Cat before but she's a fantastic presenter.

[@soupdragon151]

Academic consultant

[@JackieWelles]

This was incredibly interesting!

[@HenryHaven-c3q]

Hey Cat , do lidar surveys around saxon/viking battle sites , especially where viking were the victors . There should be a plethora of viking of burial"as every battlecane with heavy casualties regardlessof the outcome " on such locations . Where Saxons were the victors there would be little to no Viking like burials !

[@RichiEnglish]

Used to live in York (still missing it). Loved the Viking Festival.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Viking Festivals tend to cause actual nosebleeds from frustration for the historians and archeologists working in the places invaded by “vikings” who own garden tractors.

[@soupdragon151]

I remember visiting the Jorvik centre when they were still digging the site

[@ruthjames9278]

love this as with all the History Hit docs;

[@KernowekTim]

Another superb documentary! Thank you both very much indeed. So sad that this island was fought over so brutally and for so long, to end up as it is today.

[@Schemez-16vhiphopbeatz]

great documentery really enjoyed it

[@atomictechmedia]

I live in Derby, England, which was settled by Vikings after the Derby fortress battle. I am 20 minutes drive away from the supposed burial site of Ivarr The Boneless at Repton church (shown here at 29:41). This is the same church area that Cat Jarman herself got to excavate at the nearby outdoor burial mound where hundreds of Viking corpses were found (38:12) with Mjolnir necklaces still around their necks. Let me tell you I love the Norse history and the Vikings. However, what is clear to me is that the English education system is still clearly jealous and spiteful that we were invaded and got our asses kicked so easily by the Northmen 🤣 In our education system the accounts of Ragnar Lodbrok (it’s not spelt Lothbrok!) are not spoken about or taught. It is accepted in English accounts that he died in battle in Devonshire (now known as Devon) with large numbers of the great heathen army. Luckily he still exists through the Scandinavian Prose Edda. Fortunately we have translated Icelandic Sagas! These are the tales of Ragnar from the source as close to the heart as you can get as they were written in the Scandinavian homeland. And I trust them far more than my country’s English account. I find it ironic that even to this day in 2024 people still describe the Vikings and Pagan practise in general as ‘savages’ and ‘barbaric’, yet the Christians throughout history tortured slaves, then whip themselves half to death to draw blood in the name of Jesus Christ, and have also made animal sacrifices alongside all the other atrocities that were carried out in the name of Jesus Christ. The exact same way as sacrifices were done in the name of Odin and Thor. I love the way that the TV show Vikings contrasted the 2 religions so we could make our own decisions. The hypocrisy of religion has never ended, even in 2024 wars are still being fought in the name of God 🤣🤣 Humanity has never once learned this lesson that nobody is coming to save you and nobody gets out alive in the end. I believe this is why Ragnar renounced his belief in the Gods and was so open to Athelstan’s ideas of Christ. Fun facts Athelstan was a king in real life!

[@bravolima7394]

Your history obviously favors whoever writes it. Like WW2

[@cl5470]

​@@bravolima7394 found the nazi apologist.

[@belle.b.mikaelson]

Heathon !,,! 😅 Chrrrish tyan..😂😂😂😂

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Informative and enjoyable introduction

[@casperdog777]

Great discussion; informative and helpful.

[@roastedpepper]

Freaking amazing documentary. Loving the archeological evidence aspect. Thanks!

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

i love these kinds of docs.

[@RubberToeYT]

Fantastic documentary

[@michaelbinney9913]

Them gaming counters was the first things we found at Torksey in 1986 we found 3 during the morning.I thought it was a musket shot of some sort until my mate showed me two he had found the same day. A Arabic coin was found and a small piece of hacked silver the same morning. Over the next 4 years we had tons of artifacts off the 2 almost pure sand fields.

[@soupdragon151]

Torksey is a norse placename, I think

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

THanks.

[@mrmeowmeow710]

2 big thumbs up for this great gem of a video

[@katherinecollins4685]

This was awesome

[@Patriot1789]

What is so striking to me is that although I have no personal history related to this area, the discovery of these bones and burials makes me feel very sad about these people.

[@dgroteboer]

Video titled after The Darkness’ song “Barbarian”? I hope it’s no coincidence!

[@ksanpedro2060]

I love Vikings Warriors ❤ We in the Philippines have also a very rich history 🔥

[@Curtis488]

Thank you for exploring the culture of my Danish viking ancestors 😊❤ fara á brott með víkingum

[@belle.b.mikaelson]

Skal🎉

[@b.elzebub9252]

9:09 That really cracked me up. Bonafide Philomena Cunk moment.

[@stephenwright414]

Another excellent episode from HH

[@LollieVox]

I wonder if anything is buried in that first huge hill! (Mound)

[@escapingreality3306]

Why did the vikings use horses from East Anglia to first invade York, when the River Ouse runs right up to it. Weren't their ships a big element of their surprise attacks, as they could infiltrate far up rivers, due to their shallow draught?

[@soupdragon151]

Horses are faster than ships?

[@terryt643]

I absolutely love history between 500 ad till about 1500 the true history is way more interesting than anything you see on TV although the shows about this age are still really good you just get a little annoyed about dates and people

[@belle.b.mikaelson]

I can't tell from the map at the beginning if im in Mercia or Northumbria now?😅😅😅😅... Northumbria seemed to stretch abit further across than other map explanations I've seen previously...

[@mihalachemihaela4059]

Vă rugăm și traducerea în limba română !! Mulțumesc!!

[@LornaBall]

Tremendous 🧡🧐🌸

[@TheLadyT23]

The burials discovered at Repton, 34:00 why are they not marked so people know they're there?

[@soupdragon151]

Most of them are in museums now

[@robf4157]

Amazing, fascinating stuff

[@jacquelinevanderkooij4301]

The chair, wasn't that made by the Time Team? They also found a cemmetry.

[@chrishughes6932]

Fantastic documentary, love dans style of presenting and passion for history 👍

[@RatelHBadger]

29:00 in Mercia? The coconuts' tropical!

[@missysbloglife]

It could carry it by the husk!

[@taivo55]

Outstanding

[@NClark-lp3bq]

3 Seconds in and I'm won over, I'm like dang me and the boys need a boat like that! 😎

[@ThaRealChuckD]

That LIDAR really is amazing.

[@soupdragon151]

Its especially good when the area is heavily forested

[@Stuparod]

Time Team could help confirm several of those sites.. Nudge nudge.. :D

[@decaalv]

The Dr. Jarman giving you the eye.

[@PeterPsn-z9o]

Vikings were so much more than raiders , i wish films etc would show the real vikings , so much more interesting and exciting than the raiders they always show .

[@ikad5229]

The second season of the anime Vinland Saga shows this. It's incredibly different from the first season.

[@soupdragon151]

They were settlers, traders, raiders and slavers, all depending on the situation on the ground

[@MaShcode]

The real Vikings of East Anglia. Their mocktail parties were legendary and BBQ a specialty.

[@wendygarborg7221]

Corneliun Bay near Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast is named after Carneliun which is occasionaly washed up here.

[@cleverusername9369]

Are we gonna just sit here and not talk about how Dan Snow has to be one of the tallest Englishmen ever? The guy is a giant.

[@pres5049]

he not so tall dude hahah

[@pres5049]

@Son of Wessex 6,6 to be correct

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

​@@SuperClappy19846.4 is pretty tall for a European

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

@LalaDepala00 Lol the Dutch are absolutely not the tallest on earth. Some African tribesman have an average height of 7 foot tall. Some Scandinavians are 6'5 on average

[@ingloriousbetch4302]

​@@LalaDepala00not even close

[@whitlaw1395]

My ancestors are Angles and later they were called Vikings, -so I don't know which side to choose in that dispute as they are same family

[@ClaBhmz]

This is great and I'm really enjoying it BUT please stop saying "Absolutely!" when "Yes" will suffice.

[@sarahmusk7793]

I agree. So annoying!

[@soho2409]

​@@sarahmusk7793 Absolutely!

[@jonwek4332]

Such a different world but only a second ago .

[@finalfantasylegend93]

I frequent bury st edmunds as I live one town over had I known Dan snow was going to be there I would have run the 20 miles just to say hello

[@Snekbeard]

Visited this place whilst training in the RAF not knowing what it was

[@Andy_Babb]

Pumped this is on here bc it’s easier to have on a playlist lol

[@davidgessin-mccully3919]

My question is how long is the period of time between when it’s grave robbing and when it’s archeological?

[@ikad5229]

Archaeologists are not looking for treasures, they are looking for answers. They are not thieves but scientists. They don't care about the monetary value but the information they can gather. They don't sell what they find, but study it to show it to a greater audience than a rich collector.

[@davidgessin-mccully3919]

@@ikad5229 Did I say treasure? Does it need to be treasure, in the way people think treasure, to be considered grave robbing? They dig up graves, remove the contents but it’s not the same? I know why they do it but that’s not the question I asked. How long of an interval does there have to be before the one turns into the other?

[@soupdragon151]

Its a good question christian burials are protected pre-christian not so much. Christian burials do not include include grave goods as a rule anyhow

[@Schemez-16vhiphopbeatz]

imagine looking over the sea and seeing thousands of viking ships coming your way that would be scary af

[@wilco8729]

She constantly remind me of our dutch painting: The girl with a pearl earring.

[@langtoun8235]

Fantastic stuff, many thanks.

[@wenthulk8439]

I hear I can claim descent from Rollo the Viking ancestor of William the Conqueror

[@sc2320]

quality 💯💪

[@chaffcutter58.]

When is history hit going to do a doco of the latest invasion .!en of fighting age..in rubber boats ??

[@Big-Eich-für-Parlament]

Oh, there once was a hero named Ragnar the Red, Who came riding to Whiterun from old [[Rorikstead]] (pause) And the braggart did swagger and brandish his blade, As he told of bold battles and gold he had made. (longer pause) But then he went quiet, did Ragnar the Red, When he met the shield-maiden Matilda, who said; (shorter pause) "Oh, you talk and you lie and you drink all our mead, Now I think it's high time that you lie down and bleed!" (pause) And so then came clashing and slashing of steel, As the brave lass Matilda charged in, full of zeal. (pause) And the braggart named Ragnar was boastful no more- When his ugly red head rolled around on the floor!

[@robertknowles2699]

Hope America can adopt English weapon possession statutes, and become civil.

[@giannifiori8333]

wAIT! I Know YOU

[@_dbzeibert_1718]

I'll show you to your room... right this way.

[@soupdragon151]

I think you took an arrow to the knee

[@aqwesghjinx]

im half icelandic and half swedish

[@richardp5586]

I would recommend Cat's book River Kings. Also, she's very nice looking!

[@amykins9870]

I was recently informed by 23andme I am related to many Vikings dug up in known Viking cemeteries in Denmark and Norway.

[@tonypate9174]

And now it all makes a bit more sense....META TARO BLURAY ....but the mystery of...OH MAJINAI! APOLLO....still persists even with a virtual Joakim Broden and the vest of Mary-Serker in supporting role duty ....Over to Dan for a three little girls a far way from home touched by the ..War beat special

[@tyesmith841]

The song that plays in the chapter “Viking Burial Mounds” what is it please?

[@tyesmith841]

Shazam didn’t work lol

[@littlemouse7066]

Very modern 1300 lol. Anyway I would like to know why some of them were inhumated and some were burned on a pyre. The pyre was only for important people? And sorry I don't understand if you find the tomb of a man buried with weapons you think he's a warrior if you find the tomb of a woman buried with weapons you don't know? by the way it's so strange to find these names and places and battles in a game (Assassin Creed Valhalla).

[@soupdragon151]

No one knows but either is common in germanic society and even in the roman empire its only with christianity that burial becomes the exclusive practice

[@stevestannard6004]

Absolutely.

[@steveconway1948]

How likely is it that the guy with the tusk between the legs is Ivar the Boneless?

[@ray.shoesmith]

Dr Cat 😍

[@Ancient_War]

Not to be pedantic (but to be pedantic), Viking means raider or pirate. The _Norse_ were “at fara i viking” meaning to go raiding or fighting _in ships_ (in Old Norse). As pointed out by another poster, they were also great travelers, explorers and merchants far more than they were raiders or warriors. In fact, most Norse were farmers. Besides which only men could go a-viking. And, yes, while there is a some evidence of Norse women warriors, there is no evidence they got in ships and went raiding or fighting. So calling all Norse people pirates is just wrong. I blame the Victorians and modern media for the misuse and romanticization of the word Viking.

[@veronicajensen7690]

we don't know what Vikingr meant yes it was used for something the traveled to do but it can mean, going settling, raiding, trading, exploring ect. we all know it was not what the old Norse called themselves, they were called Normans, Nortmans, Norse, Danes, Svear Dani and all sorts of things and it get confusing first of all a lot of people think only of Normans as the ones who settled in Normandy, and a lot think only of Norweigians if the word Northman or Norse is used, the Brits called them all Danes even if some were Swedes and Norweigians , another thing is the history of Norse people goes way beyond the Viking era, so we call them Vikings because everybody know who we are talking about and the time period, I'm Scandinavian and we have always called them Vikings, when we talk about the Kings of Egypt we say Pharaoh but that means "the big house" there is another word for King, but everybody know them as Pharaoh is that an issue for you ???, the word Vikingr may come from the old Norse/Scandinavian word "Vik" it mean bay , they settled in bays

[@Ancient_War]

@@veronicajensen7690 I agree with just about everything you said. Including that the word Viking is used by everyone from historians, archaeologists, script writers to the person living next door to you. The years 793-1066 are known as the Viking Age after all. I also have no problem with Pharaoh, Olmec, Minoan, Etruscan or many other “historically” sourced words. They, like Viking, are merely modern identifiers given to a king of Egypt or groups of people when we don’t know what they called themselves. And, yes, the Norse were given different names (Ostmen, Dane, Normanni, Ascomanni, Heathens, pagans are the ones I remember) by the different peoples they impacted either with raiding in small parties, invading en masse, trading, or settling and assimilating into the population. When I did my dissertation on the Norse expansion into Europe and the U.K. and its social and economic impact on England, I handed out a questionnaire to random people on campus. One question was what the word Viking meant to them. Over 85% went with killers, looters and slavers. Also, at the time I wrote it (decades ago), the facts I gave were “correct,” taught as such and in books. But, obviously, knowledge moves on. I also just dislike modern media interpretations of the Norse (the movie The Northmen is exceptional, though). So I have opinions backed by some facts. Read this and if you disagree or if I have gotten something wrong, just shrug and think, dear God, she’s not only long-winded and verbose, she doesn’t have a clue about modern culture or history. Which is probably true as I don’t get out of bed for anything after 1450 and I don’t pretend to have more than a cat’s whisker worth of knowledge, much less know everything. I’m just sorry if I hit a nerve.

[@williamrobinson7435]

As I understood it, and acc. to Guerber's The Norsemen, the first mention of Norse invaders in the AC Chronicle goes something like this: "In the year of Our Lord 865, to The Great River, armed and in longships, from Heretheland came Danes, and killed the King's reeve".. Now if this is the case, then they must've known exactly what they were after, since the Kings reeve would've been #1 on the hitlist for destabilising the establishment.. This would corroborate the perceived link established by the discovery of far Eastern trading matter etc between the raiders and a much more organised 'grand scheme'.. If the name 'Heretheland' was common parlance (meaning 'where vikings come from') this would argue some precognition of what may be about to happen.. Heretheland, interestingly, could be a concatenation of 'here', 'the' (or 'they') and 'land'.. Nice one Dan and team. 🌟👍

[@snacks1184]

Or Heathern Land?

[@williamrobinson7435]

@@snacks1184 Could be, since The Anglo Saxon Chronicle is from the local perspective..

[@soupdragon151]

That sounds like the words from a novel the first mention in the anglo-saxon chronicle is the raid on the great northumbrian monastery at Lindisfarne: "In the year of our lord 865 heathen men came from the north and miserably destroyed God's church at Lindisfarne". Its not known whether they were norwegians or danes the line "from the north" suggests they may have been from norway but could also refer to biblical prophecy: "And evil shall come from the north", the chronicles were of course, written by monks.