The VikingsThe Vikings

Who were the Vikings?Who were the Vikings?

• The Vikings were raiders from The Vikings were raiders from Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Sweden). Sweden).

• Only when they were raiding were they Only when they were raiding were they "vikings""vikings": They were mainly farmers who : They were mainly farmers who raised livestock and fishermen, some of raised livestock and fishermen, some of whom went whom went "a-viking""a-viking" in the summer. in the summer.

• The Vikings were also known as the The Vikings were also known as the NorseNorse or or Northmen.Northmen.

When did the Vikings live?When did the Vikings live?

• The Viking Age The Viking Age began about began about 750 750 ADAD

• TheThe end of the end of the Viking Age is usually Viking Age is usually given asgiven as 1066 1066 when when the Norwegian King the Norwegian King Harald Haraade lost Harald Haraade lost a battle to the a battle to the English King Harold. English King Harold.

Where did the Vikings go?Where did the Vikings go?

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 Greenland, and Vinland, which today is know as New Foundland, Canada.  Foundland, Canada. 

• EAST:EAST: They sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed They sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed down rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, down rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, the Vikings got as far as the Black Sea! the Vikings got as far as the Black Sea!

• SOUTH:SOUTH: Most frequently they traveled to the British Isles, Most frequently they traveled to the British Isles, Ireland or France, which many monasteries and villages Ireland or France, which many monasteries and villages sadly experienced... Isolated towns and churches were easy sadly experienced... Isolated towns and churches were easy targets for the Vikings, as the locals were caught off guard targets for the Vikings, as the locals were caught off guard and had not sufficient weapons to defend themselves.  and had not sufficient weapons to defend themselves. 

• COLONIES:COLONIES: In Northern England the Norsemen settled and In Northern England the Norsemen settled and established a large colony. A great number of Vikings established a large colony. A great number of Vikings settled on Iceland in the 9th century, and some went settled on Iceland in the 9th century, and some went further west, to Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in further west, to Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in Eastern Europe.  Eastern Europe. 

What did they do?What did they do?

• Raiding and PillagingRaiding and Pillaging– They traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and They traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and

beautiful longships to attack and seize treasures beautiful longships to attack and seize treasures from monasteries, towns, and churches. from monasteries, towns, and churches.

• TradingTrading– The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in

wood, jewelry, stone, and ivory.wood, jewelry, stone, and ivory.– In Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic In Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic

merchants and brought back home exotic goods merchants and brought back home exotic goods like glass and spices.  like glass and spices. 

• ExploringExploring– They created far-flung trade networks and They created far-flung trade networks and

settlements throughout Europe and across the settlements throughout Europe and across the North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and briefly to the North American Mainland.briefly to the North American Mainland.

Why did they raid?Why did they raid?

• The increased wealth and trading within The increased wealth and trading within EuropeEurope

• Fine treasures available in monasteries and Fine treasures available in monasteries and churcheschurches

• Political instability in ScandinaviaPolitical instability in Scandinavia

• Improved technology of the longships Improved technology of the longships

• Political unrest and frequent warfare in EuropePolitical unrest and frequent warfare in Europe

• Over-population and limited farmland in Over-population and limited farmland in Scandinavia. Scandinavia.

How did they travel?How did they travel?

• There were two distinct There were two distinct classes of Viking ships: the classes of Viking ships: the longshiplongship and the and the knarrknarr. .

• The more famous longship The more famous longship was intended for warfare was intended for warfare and exploration.and exploration.– designed for speed and designed for speed and

agilityagility– equipped with oars to equipped with oars to

complement the sail complement the sail – long and narrow hull, in long and narrow hull, in

order to facilitate order to facilitate landings in shallow landings in shallow water water

• The knarr was a slower The knarr was a slower merchant vessel with a merchant vessel with a greater cargo capacity greater cargo capacity than the longship. than the longship.

How do we know about How do we know about Vikings?Vikings?• Picture stones and Picture stones and

grave monuments grave monuments • Chronicles written by Chronicles written by

European monks European monks • Norse literature (the Norse literature (the

sagas) written 200-sagas) written 200-300 years after the 300 years after the end of the Viking Ageend of the Viking Age

• Archeology and Archeology and excavations excavations

• Bayeux TapestryBayeux Tapestry