The Vikings ravaged Europe and North Africa from the late ninth century until well into the eleventh century. During those years they sowed terror in kingdoms that lacked a strong centralized power that would fight them and in their incursions reached places that seemed impossible to be reached. One of the most remembered is the bloody Viking expedition of 859 , pretended to loot Rome, got confused and looted the city of Luna. Join us to learn the history of this tremendous confusion.
In the eleventh century the Vikings came to conquer part of England and found the Duchy of Normandy. The economic and life losses that caused their expeditions since the ninth century throughout Europe hindered the progress of a few kingdoms that saw how feudalism was imposed by lacking a strong central government. This did not happen in Al-Andalus since, although they pillaged Seville burning it to the ground in the year 844, the Emir of Cordoba took command and organized the defenses of the kingdom so that the Vikings preferred to go to other weaker kingdoms from the Mediterranean.
The bloody Viking expedition of 859
Brothers Björn Ragnarsson and Hastein , between the years 859 and 862 were the commanders of a Viking expedition which, composed of 62 ships, departed towards the Mediterranean. On the way they sacked several places in France, arriving in Galicia where Iria Flavia assaulted and surrounded Santiago de Compostela , without being able to overcome the square. They continued towards the Mediterranean, passing the Strait of Gibraltar and destroying cities such as Orihuela or Nador. They also attacked the Balearic Islands and arrived in France where they spent the winter in the Camargue area. His intention was to reach Rome, attack the city, cut off the Pope's head and take it to Denmark .
They began attacking in the North of Italy cities such as Pisa, Florence and Fiesole. In one of his incursions into the interior of the Italic peninsula They reached the walls of the city of Luna (Luni). The Vikings, seeing the amount of churches they had and the golden roofs of these, thought they had reached Rome itself and began the siege. The fatigue of a year of travel and the fact that their geographical knowledge were limited, could influence that error.
As they could not beat the city, Björn, who captained the Viking expedition, devised a plan with his brother. Hastein sent an emissary to the Bishop of Luna telling him that the Viking chief had died, but before that he had converted and expressed his desire to be buried in a sacred church. The bishop allowed the entrance into the city of Björn's coffin and an honor guard Once inside, the Viking left the coffin, attacked the surprised priests, and opened the doors for his companions to enter. They sacked the city and took the bishop's head thinking it was the Pope's. In the eleventh century, the city of Luna (Luni) was definitely abandoned and today there are only archaeological remains.
When they returned they were Attacked at the height of Gibraltar by the Byzantine fleet and although they were finally able to flee, they lost more than 40 ships, so they returned to Scandinavia with only 20 ships. Yes, loaded with riches.
Did you know the history of these Vikings and the Viking expedition of the year 859 ? Do you know more about them? If you are interested in these fearsome warriors, we invite you to read the post: Where are the Vikings from, how were they? Meet these warriors!