Viking Impact On The History And Identity Of Northern England

The general view of the Vikings between the 9th and 12th century is that of raids, pillage and destruction. However, 'In recent years the role of Vikings in stimulating international trade and peaceful commerce has been emphasised, and their war like activities played down.' Their skills at trading were unparalleled, opening up new routes between eastern and western Europe. Wealth therefore flowed through Britain and Northern England where the Vikings chose to settle. Their lasting footprint on the History and Identity of northern England is obvious through countless place name evidence, the development of language and trade and the early raiding activities that led to the building of fortified towns. The Vikings were incredibly skilled in adopting local technology, language and culture in order to create a hybrid society where there are still lasting traces of today
This evidence is one of the foundations of the argument in favour of the permanent effect the Scandinavians had on northern English history and identity. As H.R Loyn writes 'the principal and strongest body of evidence relating to Scandinavian settle comes... from language sources, among which place name and personal name evidence take on a special life of their own’. The volume of settlements that were named in the 9th and 10th centuries, concentrated particularly in northern England and Cumbria, indicate the extensive acceptance and assimilation of Scandinavian culture and customs. The impact on local ethnicity is also seen in the adoption of a typical Scandinavian naming tradition, where the taking of the father's name led to common surnames such as Eriksson or Carlson and these became increasingly common from the early 10th century