The Viking era onwards
The Viking era onwards
This article is republished from the Jersey Heritage website
Post-Roman and Merovingian period
Fifth to mid-eighth centuries
To understand Jersey during the Viking era, it helps to look at the complex political and cultural landscape of the preceding late Roman and post-Roman periods. From the mid-fourth century, large numbers of Britons migrated to Armorica (now Brittany), with movement increasing in the 5th century. These settlers established the Breton kingdoms of Domnonée (Devon), Cornouaille (Cornwall), and Léon (Caerleon), all named after their homelands. They likely intermixed with the local Gallo Roman populace. Domnonée emerged in an area previously occupied by the Coriosolites during the Gallo-Roman period and likely maintained links with Britain. If the old Coriosolite borders remained, Jersey may have been part of Domnonée.
Carolingian and Viking period
Mid-eighth to tenth century
By the mid-eighth century, during the Carolingian era, Jersey’s social and economic landscape evolved, becoming more connected with surrounding regions. A document from around 930, the Libellus de Sancto Wandregisilo, mentions that in the early ninth century, possibly 802–804, Charlemagne sent Abbot Gervold to Jersey — then known as Angia. The document suggests that the island was inhabited by Bretons or Britons and governed by a dux named Anouuarith, suggesting a continued Breton cultural influence on the island. Despite the presence of Breton inhabitants, the island may have been, to some extent, under the control of Charlemagne – perhaps serving as an imperial foothold into Breton lands.
In the mid-ninth and tenth centuries, the entire region was marked by intense conflict between Breton, Frankish and Viking forces. The Breton kingdoms of Domnonée, Cornouaille, and Léon were eventually united by Nominoe, who was appointed Duke of Brittany by Emperor Louis the Pious in 831. However, tensions rose between Nominoe and Louis’ successor, Charles the Bald, leading to much conflict.
According to the Annales Bertiniani, Nominoe declared war against the Vikings in 844 and 847. In 851, his son and heir, Erispoe, led the Breton forces to victory against Charles the Bald, forcing a peace treaty in Angers. However, Erispoe was assassinated in 857 and replaced by his cousin Salomon, reigniting hostilities.
The 12th-century Jersey writer Wace, in his Roman de Rou recorded that Viking raiders, led by Hasting (or Hastein) and Bjorn Ironside, left lasting ruins across Jersey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, and Guernsey (Wace, app.389-427). After plundering the islands, they moved south to attack Brittany and later raided the Mediterranean between 859 and 862. Salomon continued his wars with Charles between 858–863 and 865–867, even forming an alliance with the returning Hasting. Both sides frequently hired Viking mercenaries, showing the shifting allegiances of the time.
In 867, Charles and Salomon finally made peace, with Charles granting the Cotentin Peninsula — and possibly the Channel Islands — to Salomon. The brief peace between Salomon and Charles the Bald in 867 did not last. Viking attacks escalated, leaving Brittany effectively under Viking control, while Neustria and the wider Frankish Empire remained under constant threat. Decades of conflict culminated in the Siege of Paris in 911. With imperial power weakening, Charles the Simple granted Rollo, a Viking leader, the lands of Neustria (later Normandy) under the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, in exchange for defending the region from further Viking raids. While direct archaeological evidence of Viking raids or settlements remains scarce, recent discoveries may shed light on this turbulent period.
Ancient coins
Recent discoveries include five deniers recorded between 2022 and 2023 in Grouville, St Ouen, and St Peter, as well as an obole from Trinity with an unclear mint origin, suggesting it may be an unofficial issue. A possible hoard of five deniers of Charles the Bald, dating to 864–877, was also found at Ile Agois in the early 20th century, alongside a ninth-century axehead
The sudden appearance of Metvillo coinage raises questions about its purpose — potentially linked to trade, taxation, military presence, or Viking incursions. Jersey may have played a role in conflicts between Charles the Bald and Brittany or served as a strategic base against Viking raids. Coin finds near La Rocque suggest a connection to natural harbours, while those in St Ouen hint at settlement activity.
Significant finds from this period highlight Jersey’s connections to the wider early-Medieval world. One notable discovery is an intricately decorated strap fitting from St Aubin’s Bay, tentatively dated to the early to mid-ninth century. Its design suggests Frankish and Mediterranean elements, and its religious iconography implies an ecclesiastical context, possibly belonging to a high-status cleric. The location near L’Islet, now Elizabeth Castle, further supports this theory.
A decorative buckle plate from Mont Grantez, dating to the eighth–ninth centuries, features interlace designs similar to Anglo-Saxon metalwork. Interlace patterns from this era exhibit an international presence, evident in both Frankish and Anglo-Saxon metalwork and manuscripts. Relation to the wider links and conflicts between the Anglo-Saxons, Scandinavians, Bretons and Franks certainly cannot be ruled out, and such an object may have belonged to any such person.
Another enigmatic object, probably of Irish origin, was discovered in Grouville near La Rocque. It may be a mount from a portable shrine or part of a buckle pin, with stylistic parallels to early-Medieval Irish and Viking metalwork.
These artefacts indicate a surge of activity in Jersey from the late eighth to ninth centuries, likely linked to the turmoil caused by Viking incursions and conflicts across northwestern France. They may represent war loot, trade items, or the personal adornments of high-status ecclesiastical or lay figures.
The late-Viking and early-Norman period
10th to 11th centuries
Rollo’s son, William Longsword, succeeded him in 927, and Jersey was annexed to Normandy in 933. Alan II, Duke of Brittany, reclaimed Brittany in 939 with support from King Æthelstan of England. The extent of Norman migration to Jersey during this period remains debated, but place-name evidence strongly suggests that the Norman language took root. It was during this time that the island lost its old name, Angia, and became Jersey — a name with a Germanic -ey suffix, meaning 'island' The other Channel Islands likely received their modern names around the same time.
Viking settlement in Cotentin and Brittany was widespread, making it likely that Jersey was included. However, physical evidence remains scarce. The only possible Viking-age settlement found so far was near the Parade and Union Street in St Helier, where ceramic finds suggest an enclosed settlement from the tenth to 12th centuries. Pre-urban Viking sites are notoriously difficult to identify, even in known Scandinavian settled sites in England.
Scandinavian influence is also evident in the high concentration of Norse-derived place names, particularly in the west, as well as at harbour and mill sites in St Lawrence and St Peter’s Valley. In 1042 St Mary’s parish church was known as St Mary of the Burnt Monastery, which some historians believe hints at a past Viking raid. The church also contains an early medieval carved tombstone within its walls.
Wace, writing in the 12th century, tells of Malger (or Maugier), Archbishop of Rouen and uncle to William the Conqueror, who was exiled and moved between the Channel Islands. His wife’s name, Gisla, a distinctly Germanic name, suggests that Norman or Scandinavian culture had influenced the local population. During this period, Norman settlers likely took control of Jersey’s existing power structures, with the remaining islanders either assimilating or intermarrying (Mesney 2025).
By the late 10th and early 11th centuries, Romanesque churches were built in Jersey, mirroring architectural styles seen in mainland Normandy. Their construction suggests an organised Christian community and a stable population. One of the most intriguing events of this era, recorded by Wace, occurred during the reign of King Cnut of England (1016–1035). Æthelred II’s sons, Alfred and Edward, sought aid from Duke Robert I of Normandy to reclaim their inheritance. Robert assembled an invasion force but was stranded on Jersey by storms. During his stay, he reportedly ordered part of his fleet to raid the lands of Alan III of Brittany.
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 had a lasting impact on Jersey. The island became firmly integrated into the Anglo-Norman world, strengthening political ties and trade between Normandy and Britain—connections that would shape its history for centuries to come.
By the early 11th century, Jersey was linked to the vast North Sea trading networks of Cnut the Great’s empire. A key find illustrating this is an Anglo-Scandinavian stirrup-strap mount from Grouville (c1000–1100), featuring late Viking-age Ringerike or Urnes style decoration. It may reflect the assimilation of Scandinavian heritage by a Norman individual or represent loot from the Norman invasion of England.
Further evidence of these connections includes two pewter disc brooches from St Aubin’s Bay (c900–1150). One imitates coin designs, resembling brooches from an 11th-century hoard in London, and the other is a Weech Type 14 Domed disc brooch, common in England and Northwest Europe. A third brooch from Grouville (1000–1100) is a Rhenish Kreuzemailfibeln, decorated with cloisonne enamel and quartz, linking Jersey to German workshops in Cologne, Mainz, and Trier.
These finds highlight Jersey’s participation in the wider North Sea world, where trade, warfare, and cultural exchange shaped personal adornment and material culture in the late Early Medieval period.
Conclusion
The rise in Carolingian-era finds in Jersey suggests growing economic and social ties to surrounding regions. Increased warfare between Brittany and Frankia, alongside Viking activity, likely positioned the islands in a strategic position.
By the 11th century, Jersey’s links to Northwestern Europe strengthened, reflected in the presence of Anglo-Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, and Rhenish adornments. The Grouville stirrup-strap mount may symbolize Norman identity and influence.
Ongoing public finds recording by Jersey Heritage is expected to reveal more artefacts, enhancing research into Jersey’s place in the world in the early-Medieval period. Public participation remains crucial in uncovering the island’s evolving role in the Early Medieval world.
Bibliography and references
Balleine, G R, Syvret, M; and Stevens, J. (1981). Balleine’s History of Jersey
Finlaison, M; and Holdsworth, P. (1979). Excavations on the Île Agois, Jersey.
McCormack, J. (1986). Channel Island Churches
Mesney, P. (2025) Exploring Jersey’s Early Medieval Period in Light of Recent Archaeological Finds
Mesney, P. (2022-3) Jersey Heritage Public Finds Scheme records web page
