WE EXPLORED THE HOLY ISLAND BRUTALLY RAIDED BY THE VIKINGS

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary offers a compelling journey back to 793 AD, recreating the brutal Viking raid on the holy island of Lindisfarne. Dan Snow navigates the historic tidal causeway to illuminate the rich culture and artistry of the sacred monastery before its infamous plunder. The exploration extends to Jarrow, delving into the powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria and its significant historical writers like Bede. Through the on-site excavations of DigVentures with Durham University, remarkable artifacts such as rune-inscribed namestones and a glass gaming piece emerge, painting a vivid picture of the early medieval North Sea world. The program also examines a fascinating multiple burial excavation and contextualizes the Lindisfarne attack within the broader narrative of Viking expansion, with insights from Dr. Jane Kershaw of Oxford University on the economic drivers and wider impact of these seaborne adventures. It's a meticulous and engaging exploration of a pivotal moment in history.