You’re right, it’s a textbook example of a high‑risk, high‑reward play. The monks were rich, the site was isolated, and the sea gave them a quick escape route. The Vikings didn’t just storm any old church – they hit a symbol that made the English feel the weight of the raid in a way that a siege of a castle wouldn’t. It was a psychological shock coupled with real loot, so they got the best of both worlds. The real genius? Timing it when the monks were less vigilant, exploiting the coast’s natural advantage, and making sure the attack would reverberate far beyond the island. It was a bold move, but the ripple it created was worth the gamble.