TCP wrote:
Serendipity wrote:
And I'm pointing out that those families that you are saying didn't get there until 1066 were already there...had been there for quite some time....were in Scotland first, then France and back to Scotland.
I mean, the Normans WERE originally Vikings...were they not?
That's like assuming that since all Chinese are Asians, all Asians must be Chinese. The Vikings who first invaded Scotland weren't from Normandy, Dipity. And while it's tempting to think you wouldn't know the difference, I think you actually do.
TCP
I don't know why I was thinking that the average Joe peasant wasn't free to roam the planet....something about feudal law comes to mind.
Raiding parties during the time in Scotland were carried out by FAMILIES/CLANS and the septs that supported them....septs being family, just more removed. The people doing the raiding were landed gentry...people with assets. I'm willing to bet the Vikings worked along the same lines...seeing as they were intermarried.
My theory is, that is has been only the top 5% of any society that moves around in raiding parties. These guys had to provide their own swords, shields, etc. etc. in order to have this stuff you had to have means. Ownership of any real assets was limited to the elite.
Same as it ever was....