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Nordic migration to the United Kingdom
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Nordic Britons
Nordic britter, Nordisk briter, Nordic britisk, Pohjoismaiden britit |
Notable Nordic Britons:
Roald Dahl
     
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| Total population |
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Between 120,000 and 750,000
0.50% of the UK population
Ancestral numbers unknown, due to the huge population of Nordic origin inhabitating the UK over millenia
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| Regions with significant populations |
| All over the United Kingdom, in particular, England, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Mainland Scotland and Scottish Islands |
| Languages |
English, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian,
Finnish, Icelandic, Faroese |
| Religion |
| Christian, Lutheran, Protestant |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Scandinavian people, Germanic people |
Nordic migration to the United Kingdom is a phenomenon that has been occurring for nearly 1,500 years. Today, numerous British people have Nordic/Scandinavian ancestry.
Vikings and the Danelaw
Scandinavian settlement in the UK began with the Viking invasions of the British Isles. These are thought to have begun with the sacking of the monastery at Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast as early as AD 793, followed by attacks on Jarrow (794) and the Columban church of Iona (976, 802, 806). Scandinavian Vikings soon dominated the sea routes and coastlines stretching from Norway to Shetland, Orkney, Scotland, the Hebrides and Ireland. The period of Scandinavian political and cultural domination in this region lasted until 1472 when Orkney and Shetland became part of Scotland. Scandinavian immigration had a greater impact on the more sparsely-populated areas of the British Isles, especially the Northern Isles and the Hebrides. Early in the 11th century the king of Denmark became king of England as well. And in 1066 there were separate invasions by the king of Norway, Harald Hardrada, and duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, the latter the descendant of Scandinavian settlers in northern France.
The Danelaw, was a name given to a part of the British Isles, now northern and eastern England, in which the laws of the Danes held sway over Anglo-Saxon tradition. Its origins lay in the Viking expansion of the 8th century, and a Scandinavia which saw the onset of a rise in productivity and the subsequent growth in populations. Its name is also used to describe the set of legal terms and definitions which were to be treatise between Alfred the Great and the Norwegian warlord Guthrum the Old Guthrum, which were put down following Guthrum's defeat at the Battle of Edington, in 878. Later, in 886, the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum was created, founding the boundaries of their kingdoms, with provision for relations between the English and the Danes.
Modern migration
Over the last couple of centuries, there has been regular migration from the Nordic countries to the United Kingdom from families looking to settle, businesspeople, academics to migrant workers, particularly those in the oil industry. Because of Nordic people's long history and presence in the UK, it is unknown how many Britons have Nordic ancestry.
Religion and culture
Nordic Lutherans have worshipped in England since the 16th century, and the first official congregation was established in London in 1669, used by Germans and Scandinavians. By the end of the 17th century, two further congregations (one German and one Nordic) had been established. Now there are Lutheran congregations in all parts of Britain and Lutheran worship is conducted in a wide range of languages, reflecting its international character - German, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish and Icelandic[1].
There are several long-established Nordic churches in London. All seek to provide Lutheran Christian worship and pastoral care to their respective national communities in their own languages. Many of the churches also organise language classes and organise a wide range of social activities.
Nordic culture is very vibrant with a range of events taking place from barbecues organised by The Finnish Church in London to bonfire and firework displays organised by the Dansk Skt Hans KFUK, to Swedish midsummer (Svensk Midsommar) parties, in particular, the Små grodorna, held at London's Hyde Park and organised by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
Famous Britons with Nordic ancestry
See also
References
External links
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