The Brutal Viking Attack on Lindisfarne Monastery

In this video, Kevin Hicks transports you back in time to the harrowing events of the brutal Viking attack on Lindisfarne Monastery. Using his detailed models and immersive storytelling, he paints a vivid picture of the raid and looks at the devastating impact of their assault on the peaceful monastery at Lindisfarne.
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CREDITS:
Map of C800 Anglo Saxon Kingdoms © Markus Milligan via Heritage Daily
Lindisfarne © Tina via Flickr
St Cuthbert © Sadgrovem CC by SA 4.0
Viking ship in fog © Purpledragongifs
Viking Massacre of Christian Priests © De Luan/Alamy
Lindisfarne Gospels open book © Facsimilefinder.com
Lindisfarne Gospels jewel cover © British Library/Alamy

[@dylanbrady5926]

Kevin looking absolutely fearsome in this one

[@Campfire_Bandit]

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[@Aethgeir]

Yeah he looks good in that beard!

[@TheJCJexe]

Let's give some Likes to Kevin for those wonderful detailed boat models he builds and paints by hand. I can imagine a lot of hours goes into those. Beautiful work Kevin!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks

[@High_Caliber]

"If you're going to have a weapon, make it a good one" I'm going to get that engraved on something.

[@davesheppard8797]

😂😂😂😂😂. Get yourself a Viking short sword. Er.....I think they had those too and get the blade engraved. I believe the Viking Kings had quite ornate pattern welded swords. Dave

[@user-ly6pl5ot9m]

This is the great outfit of yours to rob an Abbey or Monastery, mr. Hicks!

[@ginnyanntonick]

Or frighten the heck out of his local fish and chips shop.

[@jusakikun]

I have to thank you Kevin for explaining this event so wonderfully. Also, I love the models you use. Thanks for the great content.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you like them!

[@Campfire_Bandit]

+

[@ChuntyCops]

@@thehistorysquadthe beard suits you.

[@ravager2-636]

Hi my name is Kevin Hicksennson and this is a History Raid!

[@SolidSnnake]

AHHH ITS A BLOOD THIRSTY VIKING!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH KEVIN?!!

[@phillipallen3259]

Lindisfarne is often called the beginning of the Viking Age but reality is a little bit different. That raid was done with skilled and practiced hands and cunning precision. They had done that kind of thing many times before. I believe you are correct Kevin, they must have watched for some time to know about the tides. Excellent analysis. Well done!

[@ginnyanntonick]

Cue Baldrick: "I have a cunning plan."

[@cillianennis9921]

I love how a bit of a beard & a Viking helmet changes completely how someone looks. Looks just like you'd expect an older Viking to look.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

I agree with you, Kevin: these were warriors that invested time and valuable resources in their exploits. They didn't randomly select a day of the week to depart and plunder a monastery; they did what today is called "intelligence preparation of the battlespace," which involves observations and planning based on the conditions that will most favorably contribute to success. I had never heard of this incident...thank you History Squad!

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it, cheers for watching as ever 👍🏻

[@sandikohler900]

I adore your models. You have put so much work into them!The visual really brings so much to your discussion of the raid. Thank you so much! I love all your posts. 😊

[@scrappydoo7887]

Yes definitely 👍 there's got to be hundreds, maybe thousands of hours on display over the content on this channel

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you so much!

[@80sbabejones54]

Your story telling of history is great. Along with your models which always amaze me with the fantastic detail that you put in them. Keep up the great work Kevin. I love it, Dawn xx

[@A_Eichler]

Best description, detail and peripheral info (tides/tactics) as an explanation of this event I have ever heard. The models were just icing on the cake.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

[@TheWorldLuvsABastard]

You are a wonderful story teller and really make history interesting. Glad I found your channel.

[@davidcreager1945]

Kevin , your dioramas belong in a museum !! They are so freaking AWESOME !

[@OttoVonStierlitzSt.Fuhrer]

Sir, as a middle European college history teacher, I can honestly tell you, your channel is amazing! Far better than most of the shows on Discovery or NatGeo. Please accept my sincere congratulations!

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thank you! That’s so kind of you.

[@burningpentagram666]

The raid was organised from the island of Sula , Sogn og Fjordane in Norway. It used to be the Scandi Viking capital. One of the contenders for a more accurate point of origin I found Grønavika farm to be the most likely , as it is a quite secluded bay with a beach about 80 meters long , and it has a quayside of almost 100 meters. Ample space to house an entire fleet of longboats. 61° 9'59.56"N 5° 0'19.34"E

[@katherineschriever2892]

Well done, Kevin. The model, viking outfit and detailed knowledge of the event make for a fascinating and informative story.

[@migwelo1]

The detail to your models are brilliant. Thanks for the content kevin and all behind the scenes. Bless you.

[@thehistorysquad]

Very welcome

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

This channel is awesome

[@Saxon709]

Thanks for another great video Mr. Hicks. Cheers! 🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@mikesrandomchannel]

Goosebumps as you describe the appearance of the vikings to the monks. What a fantastic video, so glad I‘ve discovered your channel.

[@thehistorysquad]

Welcome aboard!

[@notwocdivad]

This story was of special interest to me as I live in Northumberland about 20 miles North of Newcastle and maybe 30 miles south of Lindisfarne. I like others who have visited had very mixed feelings when walking amongst the ruins, knowing of the raids and killing which occurred on the spot where I was standing so long ago! I too love the costume and models you use to illustrate your stories! My son in law would love them as, since he grew a full beard he is now known in the family as The Viking Lord, lol

[@kiwifruit27]

Looking great there Kevin, very Vikingish, enjoyed the video as always. Thanks

[@thehistorysquad]

You bet

[@thegothicrainbow1]

Wow you have upped your model game Kevin. Those ship models look amazing! Your models do usually look good but the sense of motion and action in these are superb!

[@davesheppard8797]

Yep! I totally agree. Those longships are really good and the village is superb too!! Dave.

[@davec.8406]

Your videos as always are brilliant ! The models and weaponry always adds to making history come alive

[@thehistorysquad]

Many thanks!

[@niceguy391987]

Kevin needs to be in a video game as a character and a voice actor at some point!

[@colinmackay92]

The models the outfits the way you describe things. Your presentation skills. All perfection. I saw you at Warrick many many years ago while on a vacation with my family. I again saw you digitally years back when you were doing a type of Robinhood presentation in front of a big tree and then I found this KZbin channel and I've become a loyal follower. You sir are an incredible individual. Thank you for your service and thank you for all that you do here.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much 😊 that’s very kind of you and I appreciate you for watching.

[@lorettablakeman3335]

I loved the models,very detailed!You make the story come alive!I would have been so scared if I had been one of these monks-you wouldn't even have time to say a prayer🙏🙏🙏

[@adamcloud705]

Longtime fan, Kevin! Love from Indiana! Good work, good Sir!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, I appreciate it 👍

[@manuelsoto94]

Long life to you sir , thank you for these wonderful videos .

[@jormbus]

Been waiting for a video on something like this! Great as always, keep up the amazing work.

[@CameronMcCreary]

Thank you Kevin for this wonderful presentation on what happened at Lindisfarne during the Viking raids.

[@PSDuck216]

Cheers for another well produced video presentation. The costuming adds great optics that never fails. Well done, sir.

[@UntappedShesources]

You give the best descriptions of any historian I have heard on KZbin awesome thank you

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you like them!

[@hemaccabe4292]

Models, costumes, props! you’re amazing! Thank you!

[@andrewedwards7246]

Kevin...a great story as normal.. I am British I have lived in Denmark for many years. I have two sons here at school. It pains me to say. But the Danish school system here doesnt teach our children much about the Vikings. I really dont know why? Thanks for the great video mate. 😊👍⚔🗡

[@davesheppard8797]

That's a shame Andrew! I loved learning about the Vikings at school in England. I believe I was at junior school so about 8 or 9 years old. We made model Longships!! Dave.

[@mr-x7689]

Because our scools are more often than not ruled by left wingers, and to them anything related to "Vilikngs" are seen and treated as Nazism. So we get at most a absolute bare minimum surface scrats of that period. And its treated as a age of extreme national shame to them. And thats really unfortunate. Because that period holds so mutch interesting things. Art, culture, mytologys, storries, religion, language, crafts, exploration, trade routes, equality and a lot more. But If you as a student want to learn more about it, you'll have to do it whit out the help of our scools. Just trying to talk in depth about it in our scools, often brands you as a nazi among the teatchers.

[@garychynne1377]

Hi Kevin, whirlwind, lightening, fire breathing dragons followed by famine is a classic description of a comet strike. By the beard of Odin I'd say i't is so. Thank yew Kevin⚔🏹🪓

[@tomtaylor6163]

Kevin a great take on the raids. One would think that they would want to raid in and out quickly. But, they probably knew this place was very isolated and that no one would be coming to their aid?

[@kkupsky6321]

I love this guy so much. The attention to facial hair is incredible. Good show mate. Great show.

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

As great as the knowledge and passion of Mr. Kevin Hicks is on this great channel, can we all take a moment to admire his Viking beard?

[@noyzmunky]

Love that model 😍

[@mickusable]

Brilliant tale Kev, love Northumberland , visited Lindisfarne last year, lovely place 🤘🏹

[@jenniferoram4458]

Thank you for your fascinating video. I was lucky enough to visit Lindisfarne earlier this year. Northumberland is a very historic part of the UK and this story about the Viking raiders is very interesting. I look forward to a return visit early next year.

[@chadgoose7886]

Looking cool with the beard and mustache with the chain mail

[@ZAV1944]

Legend has it that St. Cuthbert was found to be incorrupt and looked just as he did the day he died.

[@patriciadavison1486]

Fantastic video, Kevin - as always . Thank You for not wearing a “horned helmet” or having long ships with “shield maidens” who would NEVER have been in battle (especially on this first real “meaning busines” visit) except, later on the sidelines as ‘seers” or “witches” ..only the young warriors would have attacked Lindisfarne and later the more experienced warriors (as thy spread rapidly in England. I LOVE your model; the story telling and accurate telling of this particular, early raid. Fabulous . Thank You for another great video XXXX

[@thehistorysquad]

A pleasure 👍

[@Thanatos--]

Lindisfarne is always a crowd pleaser. The 'start' of the Viking era doesn't disappoint those expecting bloody mayhem and thorough pillaging. The facial hair is some dedication, and since this is the 'beginning' of the Viking era maybe there is more like content in the pipeline...

[@thehistorysquad]

👍

[@peterjones7673]

Great video Kevin, this is all my local history as I live in Sunderland not many miles away from Lindisfarne or Holy Island. Here in Sunderland and a short walk from my home we have St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth which dates from AD 674 a little before the raid you brilliantly tell us about today so no doubt St Peter's received a visit from these raiders from the north. Thanks for a great video.

[@reecefalcon7747]

Thanks for explaining this piece of history in your typical manner Kevin, very clear and easy to understand. As a person from the North East who is a hour or so away from where this took place it really gave me some insight into what really happened. Love your content and looking forward to whatever interesting topic you drop next.

[@thehistorysquad]

Very welcome 👍

[@vincentlavery2568]

Rocking the beard Kevin

[@ale9335]

Magnificent video, and the model is great as well! Thanks for your content from Italy 🇮🇹

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you too!

[@thomasbell7033]

Being from Texas, the seax always puts me in mind of the Bowie knife, an enormous fighting knife named for Jim Bowie (pronounced BOO--ee), one of the sainted martyrs of the Alamo.

[@mr-x7689]

It's belived that the seaxe was a functional dressknife. As it often had an higly decorated scabbard/sheat. The idea is that it was the only "weapon" allowed at the Thing. As back then you used a knife for pretty much everything. And as the Thing was a place to solve disputes/crimes/feudes, Hold trades, spreading news, informing of new laws and a lot more. They had to enforce a strict decree of no weapons. So the Seaxe entered the picture. and as time whent on, the blades became longer and longer, So the belife the Seaxe was a functional dressknife worn on the front treating it as a status symbole. (And for easy acces if any one would pick a fight)

[@NoewerrATall]

I appreciate very much the work that you put into the models when describing events like this. They're beautiful in and of themselves, but they also really help gain perspective on the events you describe. I would love a behind the scenes type video that really explores the models that you have set to see all the details.

[@normanbutterfield9379]

Great description of what might have happened and it really shows the tactics and seamanship of the Norse

[@prestonyannotti7661]

This is absolutely amazing im utterly jealous of that sword

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

Attacking unarmed, undefended monks. Whoa! Those raiders we quite bold warriors.

[@NautilusGoose]

A mention there for the monastery of Jarrow, my hometown. It's a beautiful place

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Brother Kevin, another great Friday vid, thanks much.

[@mmcleod8148]

Thank you. I’ve been waiting for this one.

[@mulliganjonathan787]

I love this dude makes absolutely anything interesting

[@metalwellington]

keep them coming. good listening. thank you

[@gord307]

Love those models - many hours work I imagine to create them! A fascinating time in history. It must have been terrible to be on the receiving end of a Viking raid. Thank you for another fab video :-)

[@planes124]

Great video as always ❤

[@claylawton7694]

I love that your teaching the new generation about our past. I'm an American, but English blooded! And i love the tales of old glories and victories that we had in Britian and France. Keep spreading the good news of our origins!

[@davesheppard8797]

Hi Kev!! Great video, great models and great outfit!! I've often wondered how those longships dealt with the North Sea. I suppose they knew when to sail and when not. I imagine that the ships wouldn't stand up to high rolling seas and the North Sea can have 30 foot waves. It must have been terrifying for the poor souls on Lindisfarne!! Dave.

[@heiditrampedach2084]

Viking ships are actually very versatile ships and they do well on both fjords and oceans. A reconstruction was build for research purposes. You can read about The Sea Stallion here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havhingsten_fra_Glendalough

[@davesheppard8797]

@@heiditrampedach2084 That's great, thanks. I have often wondered how the ships would get on in heavy seas. Dave.

[@chrispig7748]

Thanks for doing these videos, presented so well and so entertaining

[@lewismorrison4098]

Great vid, thank you 👍

[@PaddyCake72]

congrats on 300,000 subscribers! I've been around since you only had a few thousand so I'm so happy to see how much success you've found. Keep it up :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your support 👍

[@a.bourne6386]

I just finished binge watching Vikings on Hulu and although most of the show is fictional, the core history of the sagas inspired each season of the show. The attack on Lindisfarne was done well including the monks belief of the end of the world over the dragons in the fog. I’m American but with a long and heavy line of English roots and I really love your channel. I’m glad my husband found it and showed this to me. 😊

[@hoze1235]

Just enough history and fiction to make it somewhat accurate and profitable

[@michaelpage4199]

This was great. Always enjoy a surprise when you are in historical attire. Amazing history so well presented. Cheers

[@scotta3906]

Great information and the models really are a big help! Thanks

[@morefiction3264]

That knife you pulled out at the beginning matches some of the contemporary descriptions of Bowie's knife.

[@eloisalembier4121]

Great storytelling as always, hats off to you sir

[@randalmayeux8880]

Glad you mentioned the manuscripts. I did a paper on them once.

[@cherifbenayada]

Thank you for the information. You make history fun ❤

[@Stephen-gp8yi]

I often imagine standing on the beach watching the ships draw closer.I would have been on my toes long before the vikings disembarked for sure!great content kev✌️

[@nickwebb9290]

Wonderfully described Kevin and your model work, as always, adds that extra dimension 👍

[@richardlewis2036]

Great subject, keep up the great work.

[@shawncunningham7619]

Thank You PC Hicks! This was a great video!

[@r3dcoat397]

Love the topics and the miniatures are just a bonus

[@lisaconner7609]

Thank you once again Kevin, I so look forward to your history lessons 😄

[@orka5352]

excellent costume and models as always !

[@justinwarren7643]

Thanks

[@danielsmith5023]

I love how you set up props

[@basecampbravo8954]

Love it brother and keep going with the videos

[@RustyyMann]

Brilliant presentation as always 👍

[@aprylrittenhouse4562]

Very Enlightening

[@McFordWilliam]

Great Video, I read about Lindisfarne, but you brought it really to life. Your model, the ships, the Vikings, Monks and all are absolutely great. I love your models an like your war of the roses it was surely a lot of work.

[@123456wasp]

Thank you sir. 😎👍

[@sonyad4765]

I love hearing the primary sources. Thank you for including them. There's nothing like hearing the words of people from long ago. Great video!

[@Simi9267]

Great explanation. It was informative and enjoying.

[@stonyx420]

I love this channel, Kevin you are a legend!!!!!

[@terri200]

Love your outfit!! I also love anything Viking. Not saying that they weren't violent, but the history is incredible!! They knew the seas and ships!!Thank you for sharing on this!🙏💖🪶💞👏👏👏💯💯💯

[@chrisconnolly9324]

This is the only time I've ever seen Kev look menacing!

[@chug5136]

Great video, thank you

[@memyself7413]

A totally fascinating insight into what was happening in Lindisfarne which, I have to admit, always thought was an island. Something else that I have to own up to, is the fact that I thought the 'Vikings' were a race of people, but unsure of their whereabouts. (Oh well, you're never too old to learn!) The amount of effort and work that obviously went into making them models, must have been exhausting, but it certainly went a long way to describe in great detail the sort of mayhem and terror brought upon the inhabitants of Lindisfarne, by the Vikings. "Thank you," Kevin, another well earned 10/10.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks so much 👍

[@KRM02]

Loves it Kevin keep up great work. Kyle

[@goatfarmmb]

another awesome presentation of History Kevin Keep em coming, greetings from Manitoba

[@oddglorfindel1106]

Great video as always! I am currently to the reign of King Henry the first in my copy of the Anglo Saxon Chronicle so it was quite interesting to learn more about this infamous events and the importance of Lindsfarne