History of Ireland: Viking Invasion, Part 1: 795 - 902
What you'll learn
- Understand the effects on the people of Ireland during the first 100 years after the arrival in Ireland of invaders from Scandinavia.
- Understand why the Vikings came to Ireland and who they were..
- Understand how the goals of the Vikings in Ireland changed in the 9th century.
- Understand how the Irish responded to the invasions.
- Understand the impact that the Vikings had on the Christian church in Ireland.
- Know why the Vikings did not manage to take control of Ireland
- Have details of the main Viking and Irish leaders of the time.
- Learn how the Vikings were memorialized in the writings of Irish people.
Requirements
- Students should be able to use a PC or a mobile device at a beginner level and be able to understand the English language. There is no academic requirement; just an interest in the history of Ireland or of the "Vikings".
Description
The Viking Age in Ireland began when raiding parties arrived of the east coast of Ireland in 795. Over the next twenty years Ireland was scourged by raiding parties that came in search of mobile wealth and slaves. They looted and destroyed island based monasteries and coastal communities. By the 1820's they know enough about Ireland - the language, political and military situation, the agricultural potential, geography - to begin considering an invasion and settlement. The first major invasions occurred in the 830's. The 830's until the 870's was the first of two periods when the Vikings had the potential to defeat the Irish and build their colony. The Irish fought back, often the initiative being devolved to local chieftains. Once the issue of who would be high king in Ireland was resolved, the Irish resistance evolved. The Danes arrived in the 850's and controlled Dublin until a counter-attack restored control to the Norwegians. In the 870's the Norseman lost their main leaders and this resulted in twenty years of internal warfare for control of the colony. During this period the Irish became resurgent and after a civil war amongst the Vikings the Irish acted and ousted them from all their bases culminating in the takeover of Dublin in 902.
Who this course is for:
- People who have a general or academic interest in Irish History will find this course informative and interesting. Those with Irish and/or Scandinavian heritage may find that it answers many questions concerning the historic links between the countries.
Course content
- Preview03:50
Instructor
I am a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin; London University; and the Dublin Business School. I have a Masters degree from Trinity College. I have been presenting Irish history classes at adult education centers in Massachusetts for the past five years.
My general history course is a chronological history of Ireland starting with the arrival of Saint Patrick and progressing through the main periods in Irish history up to the the current day.
I also present virtual history tours of Ireland. These "Tours" include a summary of the entire history of specific locations in Ireland and complements this with videos related to the political, social and cultural life of each location.
My knowledge of Irish history comes from my third level education, my own personal reading and study, and my experiences and involvement in the political and social life of Ireland from the 1960's till I emigrated to the USA in 2005.
My classes are comprehensive and appropriately detailed so that people of all levels can understand the course of Irish history.