The Raid of Lindisfarne is a Viking raid that is part of the Vikings-English Wars campaign. It depicts the confrontation between Ragnar's war band and the monks of the Lindisfarne monastery. The event takes place in Season 1 Episode 2, Wrath of the Northmen. This is the first Viking raid in England.
Prelude
With the construction of the longship by Floki, Ragnar and his men are able to sail to the lands of the West. Against Earl Haraldson's orders. With twenty warriors, Ragnar and his fellow raiders arrived at Lindisfarne in 793 AD.
Ragnar and Rollo knew they needed loyal men who would not go running to Haraldson about Ragnar's plans. With men gathered including the Earl's brother Knut who does not turn up before they sail to the West. They are made to swear upon their sacred rings that they will not betray Ragnar. A few members that accompany Ragnar and Rollo and swear their loyalty are Erik, Arne, Leif, Torstein, and Kauko.
The Raid
A young monk is walking the shores of Lindisfarne when he hears chatter in the waves. The monk stops in terror as he sees a ship come out of the fog. Knowing about "Judgement Day" mentioned by a young monk named Athelstan, he drops all of his items and hurries back to the monastery in horror. Alarm bells sound and as the Vikings disembark their boat Ragnar tells them, "They know we're here. No one throw their lives away unnecessarily, even to impress the gods." The Vikings begin clashing their shields as they march up the hill to the monastery. The monks run in fear and panic to hide as the Northmen approach. The Vikings arrive to a closed gate and a ringing bell, with no resistance, Floki peaks over the wall seeing no one. Arne begins to get the gate open. The monks sit hiding away hearing the clanging noises of the gate being broken down slowly. Father Cuthbert tells the monks not to be afraid and to "Trust in god. And let us pray." The monks begin praying as the gate is knocked down. The Vikings enter slowly still to no resistance or any people. Ragnar hears the monks praying and kicks in the door, Rollo stabs Father Cuthbert, killing him. The Vikings begin to kill every monk they see. Rollo chases a monk down and repeatedly hacks his back with an axe. He continues on, Rollo then hears weeping coming from the monks toilet, Rollo pulls him out to a vile stench, Rollo stomps the monk to his death. Ragnar, Leif, and Erik head into the main building of the monastery. Ragnar grabs a young monk Athelstan who begs for his life in Ragnar's language. Ragnar is intrigued and lets him live.
Aftermath
After the raid seven monks are taken as slaves back to Kattegat. The monastery is then burned by Floki who finds manuscripts. News of this raid spreads to the King of Northumbria, King Aelle. Upon returning to Kattegat, Ragnar proves Haraldson wrong by showing him all the treasures they collected.
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