Magnus Barefoot’s strategic maneuver in the Battle of Anglesey Sound set a vital precedent for Norwegian dominance in the Irish Sea.
Following his fleet’s arrival off the coast, a tactical clash with the Norman forces unfolded. The pivotal moment came when Hugh of Montgomery, the Norman leader, was struck down by an arrow, crippling their resistance.
As the Norman forces retreated, Magnus secured a decisive victory, positioning Anglesey as a key base for future operations and solidifying Norway’s influence in the region.
But what did this victory mean for the balance of power in the Irish Sea, and what lay ahead for the ambitious Magnus Barefoot?
Establishing Control in the Irish Sea
Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, set out on an expedition into the Irish Sea in 1098, aiming to assert Norwegian rule over the Kingdom of the Isles, which encompassed various islands in the region. This campaign was a critical part of his First Irish Sea campaign to re-establish Norwegian influence and control around the Irish Sea.
Magnus, fueled by his ambitions to consolidate his power, sailed into the Western Sea with a large fleet of 160 ships according to the ‘Chronicles of the Kings of Mann and the Isles’, although Orderic Vitalis puts the number at 60 ships.
He first visited the Orkney Islands and then moved southwards, subduing the Isles and setting up his base on Mann. This strategic positioning allowed him to pursue further operations against the Normans and other local forces.
Magnus’ entry into the Irish Sea was a calculated move to counter the growing dominance of the Normans, who’d been expanding their territories in Wales and the surrounding regions.
His intrusion marked a turning point in regional politics, as it led to the eventual confrontation at the Battle of Anglesey Sound, where Magnus’ forces clashed with those of Hugh of Montgomery and Hugh d’Avranches.
This crucial battle tested the resolves of both sides and had significant implications for the balance of power in the region.
Magnus’s Fleet Arrives at Anglesey
A few days after the Normans had taken control of Anglesey from the Welsh, a Viking fleet under King Magnus Barefoot appeared off the coast. This marked the beginning of the Battle of Anglesey Sound, a pivotal event in Magnus’s campaign to assert Norwegian influence over the Kingdom of the Isles. With a sizable fleet, Magnus made his presence known, entering the Menai Strait and signaling his intentions with a red shield on the mast, signifying a desire for peace and trade.
However, the Normans weren’t willing to compromise. Hugh of Montgomery and Hugh d’Avranches, the Anglo-Norman earls, led the Norman forces on shore, blocking Magnus’s attempt to land. The stalemate quickly escalated into battle as both sides engaged in an arrow-ridden fight.
The Norwegians remained on board their ships, while the Normans fought from the shore, but it wasn’t a fair fight. Hugh of Montgomery, despite being fully armored, was fatally hit in the eye by an arrow. This decisive shot sent the Normans retreating back to England, leaving Anglesey to the Norwegians.
Tactical Victory Against the Normans
The sudden shift in power saw the Normans, led by Hugh d’Avranches, swiftly abandon their newly gained territory. Just a few days after capturing Anglesey from the Welsh, Magnus Barefoot arrived with his fleet, forcing the Normans into a hasty retreat. This sudden turn of events led to the demise of Hugh of Montgomery, a high-ranking victim of the battle. As the conflict escalated, the Normans, preparing for an armed attack, were unable to withstand the Norwegian forces.
During the battle, Magnus Barefoot, siding with Gruffudd ap Cynan, demonstrated his strategic prowess by luring the Norman forces into combat. Edwin-ap-Curstin, a noted leader, was killed in the fray. The swift number of casualties on the Norman side forced Hugh d’Avranches to sound the retreat, leaving behind the once-coveted lands of Anglesey to the triumphant Norwegian army.
This tactical victory against the Normans was a significant milestone in Magnus Barefoot’s campaign to assert Norwegian dominance in the Irish Sea.
The Death of Hugh of Montgomery
Hugh of Montgomery, fully armored except for an opening for his eyes, was shot through one eye by an arrow, instantly killing him. This pivotal moment occurred during the Battle of Anglesey Sound in 1098, when Norwegian forces under King Magnus Barefoot clashed with the Anglo-Norman earls Hugh of Montgomery and Hugh d’Avranches.
Montgomery, anticipating a confrontation, had armored himself fully, leaving only a small opening for his eyes. Unfortunately, an arrow from the Norwegian forces found its mark, piercing Montgomery’s vulnerable eye and swiftly ending his life.
Contemporary accounts and the Norse sagas agree that Magnus Barefoot himself fired the fatal shot, though the exact details of the action vary slightly.
Regardless of whether Magnus initially intended to make peace or assert his dominance, the killing of Hugh of Montgomery was a turning point in the battle. The Norman forces, bereft of their leader, retreated to England, allowing Gruffudd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd, to regain control over his former lands.
The Aftermath and Norwegian Dominance
Magnus Barefoot’s decisive victory at Anglesey Sound allowed Gruffudd ap Cynan to return from Ireland and reclaim his former lands, while giving Norway a prominent foothold in Wales. The aftermath of the battle had significant implications for both parties.
The Welsh, who’d been under Norman occupation, saw the Norwegians as liberators and welcomed their intervention. Gruffudd ap Cynan, in particular, benefited from the change in power as he was able to regain control of Anglesey and much of Gwynedd.
Norway’s involvement in the Irish Sea region was solidified through this victory. Magnus Barefoot regarded Anglesey as part of the Kingdom of the Isles and believed he’d secured it as a base for further operations. Though the Norwegians didn’t establish permanent settlements on the island, their influence further expanded their geographic reach within the region.
The relationship between Gruffudd and Magnus remained amicable, with the Welsh king awarding the Norwegian king great rewards and honor after his victory.
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