HistoryNorse Sagas

Research ‘Norse

Sagas’ and write my own Saga portraying

the Vikings.

Success Criteria

• I can explain the purpose of Norse sagas

• I can summarise a popular Norse sagas

• I can plan and write my own Norse saga

Key vocabulary

Treachery

Saga

Feuds

Recap

What do we already know about Vikings?Where did they come from?What kind of jobs did they do?

Espresso Primary

Username:

student20599

Password: Pupil1

Discussion

Why do Historians question whether the Vikings were really violent?

Why might the accounts of the Vikings lead us to believe that they are violent?

Why would the Vikings exaggerate their tales?

What is the Norse Saga?

The Norse sagas (also known as Viking sagas) are epic ancient stories that appeared in Iceland, Norway, and other areas of Scandinavia during the Middle Ages. These medieval stories were passed down from generation to generation for many decades prior to being written down in the Middle Ages. The Norse sagas had various themes such as early Viking voyages, feuds between families, migration to Iceland, and heroic deeds. These sagas were written in the old Norse language and usually with a lasting and impersonal style.

Vikings believed that there were Nine Worlds connected together by an enormous mythical tree called Yggdrasil. Each world was home to different living creatures or

mythical beings.

• Asgard – home to the Æsir (pronounced ‘A-seer’) gods, including Odin, Frigg and Thor. Asgard is home to Valhalla, the place where fallen warriors go when they die.

• Vanaheim – home to the Vanir gods, including Freya, Freyr and Njord. • Midgard – the Norse name for Earth, the realm of mortals.• Alfheim – home of the elves.• Niflheim – home of the frost giants.• Jotunheim – home of the giants.• Helheim – the underworld and realm of the dead.• Svatalfheim – home of the dwarves and dark elves.• Muspelheim – home of the fire giants

Vikings believed in a polytheistic religion – a religion with many deities. Gods and goddesses were very important in Norse culture. The Vikings often made decisions or acted in ways to please the gods.

There are many different Viking gods, each possessing a mixture of human traits and magical abilities. They were split into different groups who were at war with each other, until they realised they were equally powerful:

EsirThe gods of power and war

VanirThe Gods of fertility and nature

Your Task

• Use a range of secondary source evidence to research-sagas, rune stones, church records.

• After exploring a range of Norse Sagas, your job is to write your own saga, deciding whether you will portray the Vikings- through acts of bravery or treachery.