The Vikings' seafaring traditions did significantly influence the Normans and later English naval strategy. The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 was itself a successful seaborne invasion, demonstrating the continued importance of naval power after the Viking Age ended.
The Viking influence on Anglo-American naval history is complex:
Norman inheritance: The Normans were descendants of Vikings who had settled in Normandy, so they inherited the Viking culture of advanced shipbuilding and maritime prowess.
Naval decline after 1066: While the Anglo-Saxons had an established system of ship levies (scipfyrd), the Normans under William the Conqueror initially allowed England's naval practices to decline. After the 1066 invasion, William's fleet disappeared from records, and there is little evidence of him adopting the existing Anglo-Saxon naval traditions. This led to a period of reduced English naval power, allowing for Viking incursions in the years following the conquest.
The channel becomes vital: After King John lost Normandy to the French in 1204, control of the English Channel became a critical concern for the English monarchy. This strategic vulnerability forced England's rulers to re-engage with naval power.
Influence through adaptation: Norman naval tactics focused on the transport and landing of troops rather than large-scale sea battles, which reflected their Viking roots. Later Anglo-Norman shipbuilding, however, also drew heavily on northern European traditions, including the clinker-built ships used by the Vikings.
Foundations of the Royal Navy: The need to defend the kingdom and project power across the Channel led to the establishment of the Cinque Ports and the hiring of merchant vessels for military use. This development was a key step toward the eventual creation of a permanent English naval establishment in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Later Anglo-American naval history
Following the medieval period, later naval history was shaped more by geopolitical competition, evolving technologies, and the rise of a standing Royal Navy.
Global naval rivalry: The Anglo-American naval relationship in the 18th and 19th centuries was defined by rivalry and, at times, cooperation against other European powers, particularly France. Events like the War of 1812 showcased the distinct character of the new American navy.
Age of Sail technology: American and British naval tactics and strategies were shaped by the development of sailing ships of the line, which had evolved far beyond the Viking longship era.
Modern naval strategy: American naval strategy in the late 19th and 20th centuries, as influenced by figures like Alfred Thayer Mahan, focused on projecting sea power globally to secure trade and national interests.
Alfred Thayer Mahan is known for advocating that sea power is essential for a nation's prosperity and military dominance, a theory popularized in his influential book, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History.
As a U.S. naval officer and historian, he argued for a strong, modern steam-and-steel navy, overseas bases, and control of global sea-lanes
In summary, while the initial Norman Conquest was a direct consequence of a Viking-descended ruler using naval transport, the subsequent naval development was a response to the strategic demands of a cross-Channel realm.
The Viking naval determination was a foundational element, but it was one of many influences on the complex and continuously evolving Anglo-American naval tradition.
Komentarų nėra:
Rašyti komentarą