The Vikings and Lindisfarne Vocabulary Primary Source Secondary

The Vikings and Lindisfarne

Vocabulary Primary Source: Secondary Source:

Vocabulary Primary Source: A source which comes from the time (life span) of the event! Primary sources were either created during the time period being studied, or were created at a later date by someone remembering events. Written by someone who was there. Warning: they can be bias! Primary sources enable the researcher to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. Secondary Source: A source which does not come from the time of the event, but was produced later. It is a filter for primary sources! Some secondary sources not only analyse primary sources, but use them to persuade the reader to hold a certain opinion. In other words – they can be bias!

Where it all began! • The Viking Age began with the first raid on Lindisfarne monastery in England in 793 CE. Lindisfarne

Sir Walter Scott For with the flow and ebb, its style Varies from continent to isle; Dry shod o’er sands, twice every day, The pilgrims to the shrine find way; Twice every day the waves efface Of staves and sandalled feet the trace

The attack on Lindisfarne… “In this year fierce, foreboding omens came over the land of the Northumbrians and the wretched people shook; there were excessive whirlwinds, lightning, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the sky. These signs were followed by great famine, and a little after those, that same year on 6 th ides of January, the ravaging of wretched heathen people destroyed God's church at Lindisfarne. ” Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Alcuin, a Northumbrian scholar in Charlemagne’s court at the time, wrote: “Never before has such terror appeared in Britain as we have now suffered from a pagan race. . The heathens poured out the blood of saints around the altar, and trampled on the bodies of saints in the temple of God, like dung in the streets. ”

History of the Church of Durham by the Monk Simeon: “On the seventh of the ides of June, they reached the church of Lindisfarne, and there they miserably ravaged and pillaged everything; they trod the holy things under their polluted feet, they dug down the altars, and plundered all the treasures of the church. Some of the brethren they slew, some they carried off with them in chains, the greater number they stripped naked, insulted, and cast out of doors, and some they drowned in the sea. ”

The raiders hacked the monks to death or dragged them into the sea and drowned them. They were after the unguarded treasures of Lindisfarne's rich and beautiful sanctuaries. Lindisfarne Gospels, a unique illuminated Latin manuscript of the gospels of Mark, Luke and John. Fortunately, monks were able to escape with this manuscript!

Are these quotes Primary or Secondary Sources? Quote from: • Alcuin (scholar in Charlemagne’s court) • Monk Simeon (writing about it centuries later)

Why did this happen? Some believed that the monks brought the raids on themselves – that it was a message from God. "Consider carefully, brothers, and examine diligently, lest perchance this unaccustomed and un-heard of evil was merited by some unheard-of evil practice. . . Consider the dress, the way of wearing the hair, the luxurious habits of the princes and people. ” Alcuin

Lindisfarne Stone

Review Write at least two sentences which describe what happened at Lindisfarne and why it was important.

Question How do we know what we know?

Question Which source told you the most about Lindisfarne? (Primary or secondary? Answer in your notes)

HORRIBLE HISTORIES Let’s see what happened…