After the Romans pulled out of Britain in the 5th century, Lancashire remained isolated and sparsely populated. The Anglo Saxons occupied the South of England, while place names testify that Britons (Celts) still lived in the area around Preston.

River names such as Ribble, Darwen, Hodder and Wyre are British (Celtic, Welsh) in origin, as are settlements such as Inskip, Tulketh and Preese. 

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Gradually Anglo Saxons in-filled unpopulated areas. Names such as Penwortham, and indeed Preston, are Anglo Saxon in origin. Preston is thought to have been founded in the 7th century by Anglo Saxons, possibly due to a grant of lands to St Wilfred’s Abbey at Rippon in 670 – hence Priest’s-town or Preston.

Finally we come to the Norsemen or Vikings. After Viking raids further north, it is thought that Viking settlement in the Fylde was largely peaceful. Norse place names abound in the low lying coastal areas of Lancashire. Indeed some hybrid Norse-Saxon place names such as Goosnargh exist. 

The Vikings had also settled in Ireland, particularly Dublin.

The Danelaw

The Vikings who came from Denmark, Norway and Sweden began raiding Britain in 793. The Vikings also travelled as far as America. They were expert warriors, boat builders and craftspeople. They travelled the coast of Britain and often used rivers such as the Ribble to travel inland.

The first recorded raid was on the monastery at Lindisfarne. Monasteries were targeted for their gold and silver artefacts. Eventually the Vikings settled in the North and East of England, an area that became known as the Danelaw. Lancashire was part of the Danelaw. Preston was also at an important road junction.

The Cuerdale Hoard

One day, in 1840, workers were repairing storm damage on the banks of the Ribble, when a wooden stake hit something hard. A lead lined box containing over 8,500 silver objects had been found. Money bags containing coins, the last from 902, amazed the workers.

Contrary to the popular image, the Vikings were not all about looting and pillaging. They were farmers and artists who created fine jewellery, including neck chains, amulets and rings.

The bulk of the hoard was however of silver coins and ingots.

Some thoughts on how the hoard got to Preston

One of the major Viking centres of the North was at Dublin, founded in 841. However, in 902 the Norse were forced out, and decamped to Lancashire. Lancashire was already a Viking territory and the logical place to regroup.

The hoard could have been intended to pay forces gathered in the Ribble Valley, who were preparing to re-take Dublin. Why it was never used is unknown. The Vikings did recapture Dublin in 917. Notably, much of the treasure was of Irish origin with many Irish brooches along with coins dated to 902.

If you want to explore the banks of the Ribble, where the hoard was found, there is a leaflet available on the South Ribble Borough Council website.

The Cuerdale Hoard is kept at the British Museum in London: Objects from the Hoard are on display in the ‘England 400-1600’ gallery on the second floor.

Additionally, some items are shown at occasional regional exhibitions.

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