York

York was founded by the Romans, but the town’s long history has, to a very great extent, been influenced by the Vikings. From AD 866-927, and again in AD 939-954, York was subject to the Nordic Viking kings and was included in the area called the Danelaw. Even after the English recapture of York, the town was still characterised by the Scandinavians living and working there. By AD 1065 two thirds of the c. 2000 registered citizens of the town had Scandinavian names.

A priest from York, Alcuin, wrote to the King of Northumbria after the first Viking attacks on Lindisfarne Monastery in AD 793. He was concerned about his town, his church and his country. He wrote:

Quote: "What means this blood rain during Lent in St. Peter’s Church in the town of York? It fell ominously from the roof towards the north, even though the sky was cloudless. Is it to be expected that the blood vengeance will come from the north"

After the Vikings had settled in York they were, however, seen in a more favourable light. The Vikings and the original inhabitants lived side by side and entered into trade agreements, marriages ect.

Viking influence on York

When the Vikings conquered the town, not only did they change the name from Enforwic to Jorvik, they also extended it out onto the protected point formed between the two rivers, Ouse and Foss. The area was well protected by the rivers, which also gave access to the North Sea, as well as the old Roman ramparts and walls.
The streets in this quarter had Nordic names ending in –gate. A large-scale excavation in the street of Coppergate has revealed that this quarter comprised long, narrow plots, separated by wattle fences. Houses were built on these facing the street as seen in Scandinavian towns. From the end of the 10th century there are houses with excavated cellars and timbered walls– they may have been used as market stalls facing out towards the street.

Fact: The street name Coppergate means "cup-makers' street". Finds of turned wooden cups and plates as well as hundreds of wooden cores, which are the waste remains from producing turned wooden vessels, add weight to this conclusion.

The bone and come makers worksshop. Drawing: Flemming Bau

Findings in Coppergate

During the Coppergate excavation evidence of commodities originating from Scandinavia, the Baltic region, Ireland, Scotland, Northwestern Europe, Byzantium and the Middle East was found This included large quantities of silk from Byzantium, an Arabic coin, a cowry shell from the Red Sea, wine from Germany, amber from the Baltic region, ring-headed pins from Ireland, soapstone from Norway, coins from Haithabu and much more. The imported commodities comprised some finished products, but also large quantities of raw materials were converted into finished products in York. Further to this there is clear evidence of the blacksmith, the bone worker, the comb maker, the leather smith, the jeweller and the mintmaster.

Of particular interest are the two coin dies and specimen proofs of lead which were found. One die is damaged while the other is completely intact. This is the "lower die", which has been secured in a wood block or bench. Viking coins have different motifs on either side. Therefore, an "upper die" must have existed to make the other side of the coin.

King Godfred, who was crowned king in York in AD 880 or 881, was a Christian. During the whole period of Nordic kings in York there were also archbishops here. Coins from the 10th century, showing Thor's hammer on one side and the name of St. Paul on the other, together with burials containing grave goods according to pagan traditions, demonstrate that the religions lived side by side in York during the Viking reign. Nordic influence is also evident in the patterns and themes seen on the town's stonemasonry.

Faktum: The last Viking king in York was killed in AD 954, but the Vikings of the Danelaw presumably stayed in the area and lived on much as before. Both archaeological finds and linguistic relics such as the names of people and places provide evidence of their continued presence.

By: Barbara Højlund