Jorvik, the Viking name for what is now known as York, was one of the most important trading centres in Viking Age Britain. Established following the Norse conquest of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria in 866 AD, Jorvik flourished under Scandinavian rule, becoming a powerful city where Norse culture and English tradition merged.
At its height, Jorvik was a bustling urban settlement filled with craftsmen, traders, farmers and warriors. Archaeological finds, including well-preserved timber buildings, tools, pottery, jewellery and even human remains, reveal the richness of life in Viking York. The city had strong connections across the North Sea world, with goods arriving from Ireland, Scandinavia, the Baltic and beyond.
The layout of Jorvik reflected its function as both a political and economic hub. Narrow streets lined with wooden houses and workshops ran down to the River Ouse, which served as a vital transport route. Metalworking, leather tanning, and textile production thrived, while the city’s markets offered everything from furs and amber to imported wine and spices.
Jorvik was not only a centre of commerce but also a place of cultural exchange. The Viking settlers brought with them Old Norse language, beliefs, and customs, many of which blended with local traditions. Personal names, place-names and even legal practices in the region still bear the mark of this Norse legacy.
Today, modern-day York stands atop the remains of this Viking city. Sites such as Coppergate and the Jorvik Viking Centre allow visitors to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of tenth-century life. The city’s rich archaeological record continues to inform our understanding of Viking Britain and the ways in which Norse and English cultures intertwined.
Jorvik remains a symbol of the Viking impact on British history—a city where warriors became settlers, and where new communities forged a lasting legacy
