Sack of Santiago de Compostela facts for kids
The sack of Santiago de Compostela happened in 968 AD. This was when a group of Vikings, led by a chief named Gunrod, attacked and took treasures from the city of Santiago de Compostela. This city is in northern Spain today, but back then it was part of a region called Hispania.
Duke Richard I of Normandy had actually encouraged this attack. Three years later, Gunrod tried to attack the city again. However, this time a strong army was waiting for his fleet, and the attack was stopped.
Quick facts for kids Sack of Santiago de Compostela (968) |
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| Part of Viking expansion | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Galicia |
 Kingdom of Norway |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sisnando Menéndez † | Gunrod | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | 8,000 warriors 100 ships |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
What Happened
In 968 AD, a group of Vikings from Norway, led by a chief named Gunrod, went to help Duke Richard I of Normandy. Duke Richard was worried that King Lothair I of France might invade his land.
After they helped Duke Richard, Gunrod's Viking fleet stayed in Normandy. This made Duke Richard nervous. So, he told the Vikings about a very important place in northern Spain called Santiago de Compostela. He said they could find lots of treasure there.
Gunrod's fleet arrived in Galicia (a region in Spain) that same year. They defeated the local army. Then, they went into Santiago de Compostela and took many valuable things.
Three years after this first attack, Gunrod tried to attack Galicia again. But this time, a powerful army was ready for them. This army was sent to stop the Vikings, and they succeeded.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Fornelos para niños
- Vikings in Iberia
- Battle of Remich
- Viking raid on Galicia and Asturias
- The leader Almanzor also led a successful campaign against Santiago in 997.
