Numerous historical findings indicate that Brighton could well have been a possible target by the Vikings during the Viking Era. Vikings seized and destroyed several settlements on the coast, meaning that there’s a very high chance that at one point during the 790s, Brighton was a target.
There are also two places in Brighton that suggest that it could have been influenced by the Viking era. Knabb, which is the name of a small hill where the Pump House is now located, is said to have been home to the first church in the area. You also have Steine, a thoroughfare in Brighton. When translated from Scandinavian, the name means “stony ground”. This correlates to where fishermen dried their nets after a long day of work.
Entertainment is Putting a Focus on Viking Culture
Vikings are present in the media now more than ever. Hit shows like Vikings, The Last Kingdom and Ragnarok have proved extremely popular. There’s also Netflix shows like Vikings: Valhalla, a sequel to Vikings, which tells the tale of King Cnut’s ambition to conquer England. The ‘viking’ theme has also worked its way into a wide range of video games, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2020, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice in 2017. Even in Slingo Games at Paddy’s, you’ll see titles like Slingo: Journey to Asgard, which conveys the story of the Valkyrie Astrid, who has to reclaim Bifrost Crystals to protect the realm from a dark force. And of course, no one can forget the Nordic inspired world of The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, even 12 years after its release. With so many people being drawn to the stories told in these games and TV shows, it’s no surprise that people are showing more of an interest in the history of Vikings and the mark that they made on this world.
Vikings in Brighton
Archaeological finds in the Sussex area have uncovered several artefacts from the Viking era. You also have the Domesday Book. William the Conqueror ordered this book as he wanted to find out how many knights were in the country, as he feared an invasion from King Cnut from Denmark. Although evidence suggests that he was killed before he could utilise the coastal city fully, the Domesday Book does document the Vikings. It references Brighthelmstone, now Brighton. This supports the idea that Vikings could have had big plans for the city, and that William the Conquerer feared they could use the seaside location to their advantage.
When you look at the artefacts that have been found, it is evident that Vikings influenced the area. King Cnut wanted to take over the whole of England, with Brighton being a potential target for the initial invasion. With several Scandinavian-inspired names present across the area, it’s evident that the Vikings had a bigger influence than we thought on the coastal city.
Even though there is no historical evidence to show that it was ever a target, if the Vikings had been more successful during their attacks on England, there’s a chance that the city would have served as an excellent ship harbour with strong connections to neighbouring locations. Cnut, the Viking king, did rule England at one point in history, but it was only for a period of five weeks. Brighton existed during this time too, so it’s no surprise that the area has historical significance.
