And so it begins

 

"....immense whirlwinds, flashes of lightning and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air..."

 

It was pretty obviously something awful was about to happen. And happen it did, in the year 793.

This was not the first time the Vikings had landed on the shores on England, but it was certainly the most memorable because by attacking the priory at Lindsfarne they were attacking the very centre of “the very place where the Christian religion began in our nation”. Cuthbert had been the Bishop of Lindsfarne, and he was now considered a Saint. Lindsfarne was the most sacred place in England. So for God to allow such an attack to occur obviously meant that the nation, as a whole, had done something very disagreeable. 

A vengeful God may sound a little far-fetched in this day and age, but this was an era of superstition and religious fever. For the Vikings, however, it was nothing but an opportunity - all that wealth guarded by a few holy men. It was like taking candy from a baby. But the attack at Lindsfarne was just the beginning.

I visited Lindsfarne a few years ago. It is a very peaceful place, with a tranquil feel to it. But seeing where it was, and how it was positioned, I am amazed that it lasted as long as it did without some opportunist raider taking advantage. And I could imagine how those who witnessed and lived through the attack would think that this was some kind of Armageddon. Unfortunately, this was not an act of a vengeful God, it was something much worse!!