Lochlann facts for kids
Lochlann is an old word from the Gaelic languages. Today, it mostly means Scandinavia or, more specifically, Norway. It's similar to the Welsh word Llychlyn. In both old Gaelic and Welsh, these names literally mean 'land of lakes' or 'land of swamps'.
It also used to refer to a magical, underwater home of the Fomorians, who were giant creatures in old Irish stories.
Old Irish writings from the early Middle Ages first used the name, in older forms like Laithlind and Lothlend. In Irish, the word Lochlannach means 'a person from Lochlann'. But it also meant 'raider' or, more specifically, a viking.
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What Lochlann Meant in History
All uses of the word Lochlann are connected to Nordic parts of Europe. Many people traditionally thought Laithlind meant Norway. However, some believe it was a part of Scotland ruled by Norse people, like the Hebrides or the Northern Isles.
Historian Donnchadh Ó Corráin says that Laithlinn was the name for Viking Scotland. He believes that a big part of Scotland, including the Northern and Western Isles and coastal areas, was taken over by Vikings in the early 800s. A Viking kingdom was set up there before the middle of that century.
Ireland and the Southern Isles
The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland are old Irish records. They mention many "Lochlanns," who were clearly Vikings. The writers of these records feared and didn't trust them. However, not many individual Vikings are named, and their relationships are often unclear.
Jarl Tomrair, who was called the "second-in-command of the king of Lochlann," died in a battle near modern Castledermot in 848.
In 851, Zain, called the "half-king of the Lochlanns," and Iargna, "the two chiefs of the fleet of the Lochlanns," fought against the Danes in Carlingford Lough. The same records say that around 852, Amlaíb, "the son of the King of Lochlann, came to Ireland." He brought demands from his father for taxes and payments.
Amlaíb is also called the "son of the king of Laithlind" in the Annals of Ulster in 853. He was definitely from Scandinavia. His name, Amlaíb, is the Old Irish way of saying the Old Norse name Oláfr. In 871, Amlaíb "went from Ireland to Lochlann to fight the Lochlanns." He went to help his father Goffridh, who had "come for him."
Hona and Tomrir Torra were "two important chiefs" who were "famous among their people." They were also "from the best family of the Lochlanns." They died fighting the men of Munster in 860.
Gnimbeolu, a chief of the Galls (foreigners) of Cork, was killed in 865. This might be the same person as Gnim Cinnsiolla, a chief of the Lochlanns, who died in similar ways. In 869, Tomrark the Earl was described as a "fierce, rough, cruel man of the Lochlanns." The writer noted that this "enemy of Brenann" died of madness in the same year.
Also in 869, the Picts were attacked by the Lochlanns. There was also fighting within Lochlann itself. The records say: The sons of Albdan, King of Lochlann, forced their oldest brother, Raghnall, to leave. They were afraid he would take over the kingdom after their father. Raghnall went with his three sons to Innsi Orc and stayed there with his youngest son. But his older sons, with a large army they gathered, went to the British Isles. They were very proud and wanted to attack the Franks and Saxons. They thought their father had returned to Lochlann right after leaving.
This old record is a bit confusing. The death of Gofraid, King of Lochlann and father of Amlaíb and Imhar (or Ímar), seems to be recorded in 873. Historian O' Corrain (1998) believes this entry is about the death of Gøðrøðr, the king of the Vikings in Scotland. "Albdan" is probably a changed version of the Norse name Halden, or Halfdane. This might refer to Halfdan the Black. This would make Raghnall Rognvald Eysteinsson from Norway, and the brother of Harald Finehair.
The "Lochlanns" might have been a general term for both warriors from Norway and Norse people living in the Norðreyjar or Suðreyjar.
Other Lochlannachs mentioned in the early 900s include Hingamund (or Ingimund) and Otter, who was killed by the Scots. Whatever Lochlann meant in Ireland in the 800s and 900s, it later referred to Norway. In 1058, Magnus Haraldsson is called "the son of the king of Lochlann." His nephew Magnus Barefoot is called the "king of Lochlann" in Irish reports about his big trip west about 40 years later.
Wales
The Irish word Lochlann is similar to the Welsh language word Llychlyn. This word appears as a name for Scandinavia in Welsh stories like Culhwch and Olwen and The Dream of Rhonabwy. It also appears in some versions of Welsh Triad 35.
In these versions of Triad 35, Llychlyn is where Yrp of the Hosts went. He made Britain's armies smaller by asking each main fort to give him twice the men he brought. Even though he started with only two men, he left with thousands. These same stories also say Llychlyn was the destination of the army led by Elen of the Hosts and Maxen Wledig. Maxen Wledig is the Welsh version of a real Roman leader named Magnus Maximus.
However, some historians think Llychlyn here might be a mistake for Llydaw, which means Armorica (a region in France). This is where Maxen usually went in other stories. In The Dream of Rhonabwy, a group from Llychlyn led by March ap Meirchiawn (King Mark from the Tristan and Iseult story) appears among King Arthur's army. This might come from an old Welsh story that calls March ap Meirchiawn one of the "Three Seafarers/Fleet Owners of the Island of Britain." Scandinavians were famous for their sailing skills.
Lochlann in Stories
Lochlann is the land of the Fomorians in the Irish book Lebor Gabála Érenn. In other old Irish books, the "huge and ugly" Fomorians are pirates who live in the Outer Hebrides.
A Scandinavian Lochlann appears in later Irish tales. These stories often feature the King of Lochlann, sometimes called Colgán, or his sons. Examples include tales about Lugh and the Fenian Cycle.
The Lebor Bretnach is a Gaelic version of the Historia Brittonum. It says that Hengist's daughter was "the fairest of the women of all Lochlann." Hengist was a legendary Anglo-Saxon leader from the 400s AD.
The adventures of Prince Breacan of Lochlann are part of the story of how the Gulf of Corryvreckan (Scottish Gaelic: Coire Bhreacain) got its name. This is a powerful whirlpool between the islands of Jura and Scarba on the west coast of Scotland. The story says that this Norse Prince, "said to be son to the King of Denmark," was shipwrecked there with 50 ships. Breacan is believed to be buried in a cave at Bagh nam Muc (bay of the swine) on the northern tip of Jura.
Some historians believe the original story might have been about a different location, between Rathlin Island and the Antrim coast in Ireland.
The same story is also connected to the Bealach a' Choin Ghlais (pass of the grey dog). This is another strong tidal current further north between Scarba and Lunga. The prince's dog managed to swim to land and looked for his master. When he couldn't find him on Jura or Scarba, he tried to jump across the strait to Lunga. But he missed his step on Eilean a' Bhealaich, a small island in the middle of the channel. He fell into the strong current and drowned, giving his name to the strait where he fell.
See also
- Dubgaill and Finngaill
- Is acher in gaíth in-nocht, a 9th-century Irish poem.
