The Viking Invasion
During the time of the 4th Abbess Sigeburg, the Vikings began to raid the South-East of England. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle the Isle of Thanet was repeatedly attacked and plundered. The first recorded invasion was in 753, and Viking raids were to continue to plague the country for more than two centuries. Several times the community of nuns and the villagers crossed the Wantsum to take refuge in the fortified city of Canterbury – to return and rebuild Minster when the immediate danger had passed. However, when Canterbury fell to the invading Danes at the end of the 10th century the traces of the Minster community of nuns were finally lost and the monastery lands lay deserted.
