Cuerdale Hoard – Unearthed Treasure of the Viking Age
Discovered in 1840 on the southern bank of the River Ribble near Preston, Lancashire, the Cuerdale Hoard is one of the largest Viking silver hoards ever found in Western Europe. Unearthed by workmen repairing the river embankment, the hoard was buried in a lead-lined chest and contained over 8,600 items, including coins, silver ingots, jewellery, and cut-up silver pieces known as hacksilver. Weighing around 40 kilograms in total, the find offers a remarkable glimpse into Viking activity in England during the early 10th century.
The hoard is believed to have been buried around AD 905, during a turbulent period of shifting power and territorial control. The vast number of coins—originating not only from England but also from Ireland, the Frankish kingdoms, and the Islamic world—reveals the scale of Viking trade networks and the cosmopolitan nature of wealth accumulated through conquest, commerce, and tribute.
Many scholars link the hoard to Viking settlers who had been expelled from Dublin around AD 902. It is thought that the Ribble Valley, which provided a natural route between the Irish Sea and the heart of Northumbria, served as a key corridor for their movements. The strategic location of the burial site supports the idea that this treasure was either a war chest intended for a return campaign to Ireland or a communal store of wealth for Norse exiles seeking to re-establish power.
Now housed primarily in the British Museum, the Cuerdale Hoard remains a vital piece of evidence in understanding the Viking presence in northern England. It highlights the complexity of Viking identity—not just as raiders, but as settlers, traders, and political players on a broad international stage.
Most of the Cuerdale Hoard is held by the British Museum in London, where selected pieces are often on display in the Medieval Europe and Money galleries. Not all of the hoard is exhibited at once due to its size, but key items including coins, ingots, and jewellery are typically showcased as part of the museum’s collection on Viking and early medieval history.
In addition to the British Museum, a few items from the hoard may be found in regional collections, such as at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and Yorkshire Museum in York, although these displays are limited.
The original discovery site near Cuerdale Hall by the River Ribble in Lancashire is privately owned and not accessible to the public, but the location remains of historical interest.
If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking the British Museum’s website or contacting them directly to confirm which pieces from the hoard are currently on display.
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