The Thurkill the Tall Medallion

The 1000th Anniversary of the Ipswich Raid by Thurkill the Tall
In 2010 the Ipswich Numismatic Society issued a commemorative medallion to mark the 1000th
anniversary of the Viking raid on Ipswich by Thurkill the Tall, also known as Thorkell, and Thorkell the
High, who is recorded as Commander of the possibly mythical Jomvikings of Wollin Island.
The local army from Ipswich was defeated, it is believed at Nacton Heath. Thurkill and his men were
paid off with a large Danegeld in 1011, but this was by no means the end of Thurkill’s influence over
Anglo-Danish affairs.
Just 50 medallions were issued, in hallmarked sterling silver and numbered on the edge.
Produced by the Bigbury Mint, the dies based on an initial design by J.C. Sadler, who also funded
their production.
The outlay of cost was recouped without much difficulty, with the medals proving to be very
popular. Almost each and every one of the whole batch was pre-ordered by collectors even before
they were minted.