Historical & Archaeological Background: Anglo-Scandinavian

By 866, York had fallen into the hands of the Great Army, following which the city is known to have been under Danish control, albeit poorly documented (Rollason 1998, 63). By 876, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Halfdan came to the north and shared out the land: York became the capital of an Anglo-Scandinavian kingdom (Rollason 1998, 63, 71). Clearly this remained an important centre through the later 9th and 10th century. In 927-934, Malmesbury's Deeds of the Kings of England describes envoys sent by the King of Norway being 'royally entertained in the city of York' (Rollason 1998, 166; Hall 2003, 52). During the mid-10th century, English, Dublin Viking and Scandinavian forces vied for power in York, and the city eventually fell into English hands in the later 10th and early 11th century (Hall 1994, 15). The impact of Scandinavian influence is evident in many of the street names of York (Palliser 1984, 103). During the 10th century much of the modern street plan is thought to have developed, and the city became a densely occupied area (Hall 1994, 15). Byrhtferth's Life of St Oswald (dated to 971X992) describes it as a city 'crammed beyond expression' (Rollason 1998, 171-2)

The model proposed for 46-54 Fishergate saw the site as having been largely abandoned by the mid- to late-9th century, with the focus of settlement shifting northwards to Coppergate, where features similar to the Fishergate settlement were retained before major reorganisation in the early 10th century (Kemp 2001, 94). To the north of the Fishergate sites, construction work on Leadmill Lane in the late 1880s recovered bone-working debris and a number of associated finds which were dated to the Anglo-Scandinavian period. Subsequent work has added to this material, and a 'comb and bone skate factory' of 9th to 10th century date was excavated by York Archaeological Trust (YAJ 1974, 146; Medieval Archaeology 1974, 185). Anglo-Scandinavian activity has been further attested at sites in the city centre, on Parliament Street, Shambles, All Saints Pavement and Castlegate (Tweddle 1986), leading to the conclusion that activity during this period was focussed within the city walls. On the other site of the river, at Clementhorpe, a timber building, constructed from two beam slots and four post holes, was seen to post-date a Roman building, and predate a 10th to 11th century floor, providing evidence for settlement further out of the city as well.

apc > monographs > blue bridge lane & fishergate house > historical & archaeological background: anglo-scandinavian