Norse Conquest Of Strathclyde

Norse Conquest of Strathclyde

Date: 870-875
Location: Kingdom of Strathclyde
Result: Norse victory
Territorial changes:
  • Mann gains Galloway and Carrick
  • Jorvik gains Clydesdale
Belligerents
Commanders and Leaders

Background

Viking invaders founded the Kingdom Of Suðreyjar in the Hebrides and the Isle of Mann during the mid-9th century AD. In 869, Halfdan Whiteshirt succeeded in conquering the Kingdom of Northumbria. This left King Artgal of Strathclyde surrounded by Norse invaders to the north, south, and east, and with no potential Christian allies in the region save the Kingdom of Scotland, with whom Artgal had a chilly relationship.

Manx Conquest of Galloway

Björn Ketillsson of Mann secured alliances with Chief Olafr of Dyflinn (to whom his sister Auđr was married) and Halfdan (whose son Sigfrið was married to Björn’s sister Þordunn,) then raised an army and invaded Galloway in 870. Halfdan was occupied with a war against Cornwall in the south and unable to provide support, but Olafr raised an army of 500 men to support Björn.

The first combat came during the Siege of Nofant, where Björn and Olafr's combined armies assaulted the tribal village, taking Artgal's wife Heledd captive. The Norse army would go on to capture Aeron and Alt Clut in 871. In December of 871, Argal's army met the Norse in the Battle of Tygwyn and were soundly defeated. In early 872, Artgal would sign a treaty conceding Galloway to Mann in exchange for peace.

Jorvik Conquest of Clydesdale

The defeat in Galloway highlighted the weakness of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, and in 872, both King Ivar of Suðreyjar and Halfdan of Jorvik launched separate invasions of the region. Records of individual battles during this conflict are considered unreliable, but historians agree that Artgal was likely not capable of raising a significant army, and the largest battles to take place were those between the competing viking kings. By 875, Halfdan had emerged victorious over his older brother and annexed the territory of Clydesdale. King Artgal died of natural causes during the war on June 5, 872 and was succeeded by his son Rhun.

Manx Conquest of Carrick

Björn again invaded Strathclyde shortly after the conclusion of Ivar and Halfdan’s war, with the aid of Chief Olafr. Chief Guđmundr of Teviotdale also invaded Strathclyde at the same time. Björn defeated Guđmundr during the Battle of Croes Rhygal and repelled the competing invasion. He then laid siege to the tribe of Aeron, capturing Rhun's wife Morag once the village fell. Rhun was forced to surrender, and fled to the court of Arthfael III of Deheubarth. This ended the existence of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, as Björn took control of their only remaining territory in Carrick.

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