Vikings in Galicia
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The presence of Vikings in Galicia took place between the ninth and twelfth century, when they were a naval and military power, launching expeditions of plunder and conquest by the Atlantic Ocean and rising by the rivers to the cities which they wanted to loot. They extended their journeys all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, and on the way they raided Galicia. In the contemporary text the vikings are often referred as normandos or lordimani.
Our knowledge of vikings in Spain is mainly based on written accounts. There are archeological findings of anchirs of viking ships, and some shapes of mounds by riversides look similar than longphorts in Ireland. These were ports or docks for viking longships.[1]
The first invasions
The first incursion of the Vikings in Galicia is mentioned in Annales Bertiniani, and dated August 844, when a group from a plundering expedition entered the Garonne and reached Galicia pushed by a storm. After plundering a number of coastal villages they were ultimately rejected in the vicinity of Farum Brecantium i.e., the Tower of Hercules (called by them FAR). Ramiro I of Asturias who was king of Asturias at the time, gathered troops in Galicia and Asturia for the counter-attack. After the Asturian victory, the Vikings continued their voyage in direction of Lisbon.[2]
A legend also explains that when the Vikings arrived at the mouth of the river Masma, the holy Bishop of the diocese of Gonzalo Bretoña prayed for protection from the heavens against the forecoming attack. A major storm was unleashed, sinking most of the fleet and a large number of Vikings fled in their ships.
Second invasion
Vikings returned to Galicia in 859, during the reign of Ordoño I of Asturias.[2] It was a contingent of a hundred ships from looting expeditions by the French coast that was now directed toward the Arousa estuary. After looting Iria Flavia they continued to Santiago de Compostela, which put site.[clarification needed] Their neighbours[clarification needed] had paid tribute to avoid looting, but in spite of this, the Vikings tried to enter the city[clarification needed]. They were faced with an army led by Don Pedro who dispersed them and destroyed thirty eight of their ships; after which the surviving Vikings went south. As a result of this expedition changed the episcopal see of Iria to Santiago de Compostela.
Later invasions
In 951, the Vikings reappeared and attacked the Galician coast. Galician cities strengthened their defences in anticipation in the following years. In 964, the Vikings arrived again in Galicia, because the own bishop of Mondonedo, Rosendo of Celanova, they had to face.[clarification needed]
The expedition of 1015 was led by Olaf Haraldsson, who later became king Olaf II of Norway. He destroyed four major Galician towns: Castropol, Betanzos, Rivas de Sil and Tui.[3]
Gallery
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Recreation historic landing of a modern Viking.
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References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rolf Scheen: Viking raids on the Spanish Peninsula Revistas / Militaria.
- ↑ Vikings and Pilgrims in Galicia Pilegrim.no
