Introduction to Vikings

1. The VikingsThe Vikings

2. Who were the Vikings?Who were the Vikings?
• The Vikings were raiders fromThe Vikings were raiders from
Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark andScandinavia (Norway, Denmark and
Sweden).Sweden).
• Only when they were raiding were theyOnly when they were raiding were they
"vikings""vikings": They were basically farmers who: They were basically farmers who
raised livestock and fishermen, some ofraised livestock and fishermen, some of
whom wentwhom went "a-viking""a-viking" in the summer.in the summer.
• The Vikings were also known as theThe Vikings were also known as the
NorseNorse oror Northmen.Northmen.

3. When did the Vikings live?When did the Vikings live?
• The Viking Age beganThe Viking Age began
aboutabout 750 AD750 AD
• TheThe end of the Vikingend of the Viking
Age is usually givenAge is usually given
asas 10661066 when thewhen the
Norwegian KingNorwegian King
Harald Haraade lost aHarald Haraade lost a
battle to the Englishbattle to the English
King Harold.King Harold.

4. Where did the Vikings go?Where did the Vikings go?

5. Where did they go?Where did they go?
• WEST:WEST: The Vikings sailed west and discovered Iceland,The Vikings sailed west and discovered Iceland,
Greenland, and Vinland, which today is know as New Foundland,Greenland, and Vinland, which today is know as New Foundland,
Canada.Canada.
• EAST:EAST: They sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed andThey sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed and
down rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, thedown rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, the
Vikings got as far as the Black Sea!Vikings got as far as the Black Sea!
• SOUTH:SOUTH: Most frequently they traveled to the British Isles, IrelandMost frequently they traveled to the British Isles, Ireland
or France. Isolated towns and churches were easy targets foror France. Isolated towns and churches were easy targets for
the Vikings.the Vikings.
• COLONIES:COLONIES: In Northern England the Norsemen settled andIn Northern England the Norsemen settled and
established a large colony. A great number of Vikings settled onestablished a large colony. A great number of Vikings settled on
Iceland in the 9th century, and some went further west, toIceland in the 9th century, and some went further west, to
Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in Eastern Europe.Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in Eastern Europe.

6. What did they do?What did they do?
• Raiding and PillagingRaiding and Pillaging
– They traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and beautiful longships toThey traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and beautiful longships to
attack and seize treasures from monasteries, towns, and churches.attack and seize treasures from monasteries, towns, and churches.
• TradingTrading
– The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in wood, jewelry, stone,The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in wood, jewelry, stone,
and ivory.and ivory.
– In Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic merchants andIn Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic merchants and
brought back home exotic goods like glass and spices. brought back home exotic goods like glass and spices.
• ExploringExploring
– They created trade networks and settlements throughout Europe andThey created trade networks and settlements throughout Europe and
across the North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and the Northacross the North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and the North
American Mainland.American Mainland.
• Ship BuildingShip Building

7. Why did they raid?Why did they raid?
• Increased wealth and trading within EuropeIncreased wealth and trading within Europe
• Fine treasures available in monasteries andFine treasures available in monasteries and
churcheschurches
• Political instability in ScandinaviaPolitical instability in Scandinavia
• Improved technology of the longshipsImproved technology of the longships
• Political unrest and frequent war in EuropePolitical unrest and frequent war in Europe
• Over-population and limited farmland inOver-population and limited farmland in
Scandinavia.Scandinavia.

8. How did they travel?How did they travel?
• There were two distinctThere were two distinct
classes of Viking ships: theclasses of Viking ships: the
longshiplongship and theand the knarrknarr..
• The longship was used forThe longship was used for
warfare and exploration.warfare and exploration.
– designed for speed anddesigned for speed and
agilityagility
– equipped with oars and aequipped with oars and a
sailsail
– Long, narrow hull allowed itLong, narrow hull allowed it
to travel in shallow waterto travel in shallow water
• The knarr was a slowerThe knarr was a slower
merchant ship with a largermerchant ship with a larger
cargo capacity.cargo capacity.

9. How do we know aboutHow do we know about
Vikings?Vikings?
• Norse rune- and pictureNorse rune- and picture
stones and gravestones and grave
monumentsmonuments
• Chronicles written byChronicles written by
European monksEuropean monks
• Norse literature (TheNorse literature (The
Sagas) written 200-300Sagas) written 200-300
years after the end of theyears after the end of the
Viking AgeViking Age
• Archeology andArcheology and
excavationsexcavations

10. How do we know aboutHow do we know about
Vikings?Vikings?
• Norse rune- and pictureNorse rune- and picture
stones and gravestones and grave
monumentsmonuments
• Chronicles written byChronicles written by
European monksEuropean monks
• Norse literature (TheNorse literature (The
Sagas) written 200-300Sagas) written 200-300
years after the end of theyears after the end of the
Viking AgeViking Age
• Archeology andArcheology and
excavationsexcavations