Mick F wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong here .........
Generalising too ...........
The British Isles were and have been and will always be, a magnet for immigrants.
Angles and Saxons from Europe and Celts from southern Europe came in, and the Scots from Ireland, and the Norse from Scandinavia.
The Norse came down the western side of present-day Scotland and down the western side of present-day England including Isle of Man of course.
It's very possible that anyone from the NW of UK will have some "Viking" blood in them to a greater or lesser degree.
In n another forum I saw a link to or a map of where the Vikings went. IIRC Scotland, Northern England and down the East coast but Wales, SW and most of Western England not so much. I think it was described that Vikings tended to move into areas of marginal land not really occupied by others. They weren't the pillagers but more settlers of land not occupied then spread out. Stands to reason that you'd fight more for the good land but not the marginal land.
Btw Vikings weren't the all powerful fighters portrayed. Evidence is man for man they're strong fighters but not organised, more skirmishers. That's why when Viking raids were detected the Anglo Saxons went and burned their ships. That tactic put paid to a lot of Viking raiding where they hit and run back to their boats. There's also evidence that they were not good fighters against organised fighters. A good Anglo Saxon shield wall won many a battle with Vikings I've heard.
So whilst they did get around they're not as big an influence on us than say the people from parts if Northern Germany. Viking blood isn't that common except in certain areas. It's why I'm surprised you've got that supposedly Viking indicator. I hope you get it sorted out. Perhaps get referred to Furness general and have a Cumbrian holiday testing your Moulton and Mercian out on Lakeland passes. Then let me know if they're harder than Cornish hills.
Btw did you by know that English is considered a Creole language because it has absorbed so much from other languages. Another random piece of information I've picked up by osmosis!!!