Viking Attacks in Western Iberia: An Overview

As the Vikings raided the British Isles and Frankish territories, they eventually reached the Iberian Peninsula. The first known attack was in 844, but several more followed until the final decades of the eleventh century; at times, the territory may even have been deliberately targeted. Historical evidence is often unclear, but a few prolonged episodes, including taking of prisoners for ransom, and some details were recorded. Academic traditions have drawn on folklore and the popular fascination with Vikings in Iberia. The impact of the attacks appears to have been limited, especially in the Christian north, while in the south they may have contributed to the growth of the Andalus’ naval power.