Study Notes: The Cuerdale Hoard

The Cuerdale Hoard

  • Overview

    • The Cuerdale Hoard is the largest known Viking silver hoard discovered in Western Europe.
    • Date of burial: Approximately AD 905–910.
    • Found in Cuerdale, Lancashire, England, during repairs to the River Ribble's bank in 1840.

  • Discovery

    • Discovered by workmen who spilled coins into a wheelbarrow after striking them with a spade.
    • Initially, workers filled their pockets with coins but were ordered to empty them, though they could keep one piece each.
    • Taken to Cuerdale Hall, described as covering a sitting-room floor.

  • Composition of the Hoard

    • Contains over 8500 silver objects, collectively weighing about 40 kg.
    • Composition includes:
    • Coins
    • Ingots (silver bars)
    • Hacksilver:
      • Cut-up brooches
      • Chains
      • Rings
      • Other ornaments
    • Items were likely buried in a lead container with five bone pins indicating packaging in cloth bags.

  • Origins of the Coins

    • Most coins minted in Viking-controlled England.
    • Hacksilver predominantly of Irish or Irish-Viking decorative style.
    • Other items sourced from:
    • Scotland
    • Continental Europe
    • Scandinavia
    • Baltic Sea Region
    • Islamic lands of Central Asia and the Middle East.

  • Significance and Wealth

    • Represents extraordinary wealth, likely accumulated by multiple individuals instead of a single person.
    • Collected through:
    • Loot
    • Tribute
    • Trade

  • Speculations on Burial Reasons

    • Reasons for burial are speculative:
    • Potential hiding for safekeeping in times of unrest.
    • Stock-piling wealth over time.
    • Latest coins date the burial between AD 905 and 910, with Irish hacksilver suggesting ties to expelled Vikings from Dublin in AD 902.

  • Geographical Significance

    • The hoard’s location by the River Ribble provides connections to fleeing Vikings from Dublin, as it lies directly across the Irish Sea.
    • Served as an overland route to York, a significant power base for Northumbrian Vikings.

  • Literature and References

    • E. Roesdahl and D.M. Wilson (editors), From Viking to Crusader.
    • Publication: Sweden, Bohusläningens Boktryckeri, 1992.
    • Richard Hobbs, Treasure: Finding Our Past.
    • Publication: London, The British Museum Press, 2003.
    • J. Graham-Campbell's works on Cuerdale Hoard and Viking artifacts:
    • The Cuerdale Hoard and Related (London, British Museum Press, 2011)
    • Viking Artefacts: a Select Catalog (London, British Museum Press, 1980)
    • Editor of Viking Treasure from the North, selected papers from the Vikings of the Irish Sea conference, Liverpool, 1990.

  • Related Cultures

    • Connection to Vikings with further resources available such as articles on their role as occupiers, settlers, sea-raiders, and trade.