‘Behold the church of St Cuthbert spattered with the blood of the priests of God, despoiled of all its ornaments; a place more venerable than all in Britain is given as a prey to pagan peoples.’ This was written by English Scholar Alcuin in 793. What is he describing?
Answer: The ruthless pillaging of the holy site of Lindisfarne by Viking invaders. These invaders formed a constant threat to England during the eighth century.
Source: The Anglo-Saxon World by Kevin Crossley-Holland