The Vikings Discover America, ca. 1000 The Vikings Discover America, ca. 1000 The Hell's Angels motorcycle gang on steroids - an appropriate description of the Viking raiders who ventured from their Scandinavian homeland to pillage the coasts of northern Europe beginning in the 8th century. Booty was their prize and the defenseless monasteries that thrived in splendid isolation on desolate shore lines often their target. The raiders used savage hit-and-run tactics. The Viking's reliance on the sea as their avenue of attack and escape motivated them to develop seaworthy ships and reliable navigational techniques with which they could travel vast distances over open water. Eric the Red was the first to venture into the distant waters when - having been banished from the island for a series murders - he sailed west from Iceland in 985 or 986 to an island he dubbed "Greenland". The story of the Viking exploration is contained in the sagas that passed by word-of-mouth from one generation to another before being committed to paper.
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Viking | History, Exploration, Facts, & Maps Also called: Norseman or Northman Recent News Top Questions What is the origin of the word Viking? The etymology of the word Viking is uncertain. Who were the Vikings? The Vikings were raiders, pirates, traders, explorers, and colonizers during the 9th to 11th century. What was the Vikings’ religion? The Vikings' original religion was the pagan and polytheistic Old Norse religion, which can be traced back to about 500 BCE in what is now Denmark. Why did Viking raids stop? The defeat of the king of Norway, Harald III Sigurdsson, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 is considered the end of the age of Viking raids. Why do Viking helmets have horns? The stereotype of Viking helmets having horns goes back to costuming in 19th-century opera. How did Viking warriors dress? Viking men would normally wear a woolen overtunic, linen undertunic, either tight or baggy trousers without pockets, woolen leg wrappings, and waterproof leather shoes. How was Viking society organized? Did Viking women fight?
Middle Ages for Kids: Vikings Back to Middle Ages for kids The Vikings were people who lived in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. They originally settled the Scandinavian lands that are today the countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The Vikings played a major role in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages, especially during the Viking Age which was from 800 CE to 1066 CE. Viking Raids The word Viking actually means "to raid" in Old Norse. The Viking Age and Expansion into Europe Eventually the Vikings began to settle in lands outside of Scandinavia. Viking expansion during the Middle Ages - Click to see larger view By the start of the 11th century the Vikings were at the peak of their expansion. Defeat in Great Britain and the End of the Viking Age In 1066, the Vikings, led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway were defeated by the English and King Harold Godwinson. A major reason for the end of the Viking age was the coming of Christianity. Viking Ships Perhaps the Vikings were most famous for their ships.
Welcome to A+E Networks | UK * 101 Viking Facts from the History Specialists 1. Vikings were very clean people (at least by comparison to other people at the time!). 2. A Viking's most treasured weapon was his sword. They were handed down generations via inheritance, were often named and could be inscribed with runes by talented smiths to magically increase their power. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. Content on our site can be reproduced for educational purposes.
The Weather and Climate in Scandinavia Scandinavian countries can be either a winter wonderland or balmy summer destination. The climate varies from north to south and from west to east, so each locale has a unique temperature signature. Depending on the month you travel to Scandinavia, travelers can expect to pack shorts, bundle up with a parka, or dress in layers to accommodate the fluctuations in weather. The areas that are included as part of Scandinavia can be debated, but typically Scandinavia is considered to be comprised of Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Differences in Climate Scandinavia's regions have different climates, and temperatures vary widely between the regions. The central part of Scandinavia from Oslo to Stockholm has a more humid continental climate, which gradually gives way to subarctic climate further north, a lot like the weather in Finland. Parts of the Scandinavian mountains in Norway and Sweden have an alpine tundra climate with frigid temperatures, especially in winter.
Primary History - Vikings - Who were the Vikings Vikings Fun Facts | Viking Facts for Kids | DK Find Out Viking longship Viking longship The Vikings built long, narrow ships that could travel incredible distances across rough seas. Viking longship › Explorers Explorers Thanks to their sturdy ships, the Vikings travelled widely across the Northern Hemisphere. Viking explorers › Vikingburials Vikingburials Wealthy Vikings were sometimes buried along with their ships. Viking burial › Viking crafts Viking crafts The Vikings were skilled craftsmen, creating high-quality cloth, delicate jewellery, and strong weapons and armour. Viking crafts › Viking gods Viking gods At the front of a Viking warship was a figurehead, perhaps representing a warrior spirit. Viking gods › Viking warriors Viking warriors This wall of shields protected the rowers from attack. Viking warriors › Vikingtraders Vikingtraders The deck of a longship covered a storage space where goods could be kept for trade. Viking traders › Who werethe Vikings? Famed as fierce warriors and bold explorers, the Vikings were also farmers, fishermen, and traders.
A History of the Vikings: Simplified – Scandinavia Facts The Vikings were Norse people who have a rich and fascinating history. With roots primarily in southern Scandinavia, they raided some countries, and traded with others, in order to build wealth and extend their influence. In the year 789 A.D., the Vikings launched their first raids on England. Similar violent attacks continued intermittently through the year 1066, which generally marks the end of the Viking age. Perhaps the most well-known Viking is Ragnar Lodbrok, who successfully led raids in France and England. The Vikings were such excellent seafarers that they reached to the East Coast of North America and they were able to successfully infiltrate regions like modern-day Ukraine in their explorations. To many observers, the history of the Vikings is fascinating though somewhat mysterious due to how little historians can confirm with certainty about the lives of those who lived during that period of Northern European history. Their first target was the Christian monastery of St.
Games and Animations Welcome to the Best of History Web Sites Games and Animations section. Below you will find an annotated list of fun history games and animations organized around broad historical periods. Most of these games and animation are aimed at students ages 10-16. Ancient History Games and Animations Gladiator: Dressed to Kill This game has the player choose the correct armor for three different types of Roman gladiators within a time limit. Housesteads Fort This is a 3D tour of a reconstruction of a Roman fort along Hadrian’s Wall in Ancient Britain. Mt. The Mummy Maker Test your knowledge of history with an interactive challenge. Roman Villa This is an interactive reconstruction of a Roman villa viewed in Google Earth. Discover Babylon 500 This strategy game provides challenges and mysteries that can only be solved through developing an understanding of Mesopotamian society. Anglo-Saxon Coins In this game you learn stories behind the coins and try to make “money talk.” Pirates! Early U.S. U.S.
Vikings | The Vikings The Vikings hailed from the north of Europe in what is now known as Scandinavia. Interestingly enough the term Viking itself can be translated to 'man of the bay' of course describing the home of the old Norse. The country of origin in Scandanavia mattered not however, whether it was Norway, Denmark or Sweden the term Viking was associated with pirates and raiders, this was a way of life for the adventurous Viking people. Another definition of a Viking is one who spoke Old Norse the language of the Viking people. It is quite easy to think of the Vikings in just this way, pirates who raided and pillaged neighbouring island and countries, but this would actually be doing the Viking a disservice. The Viking age in European history ran from around AD 700 to after AD 1066 at the battle of Hastings. During the Viking period many of the Vikings left Scandinavia and travelled to other countries such as Britain and Ireland. Viking Boats Viking Children Viking Clothing Viking Food and Diet Viking Men
The Origins of the Norse Mythology | The Norse Gods Norse mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. Norse mythology is the best-preserved version of the older common Germanic paganism, which also includes the very closely related Anglo-Saxon mythology. The Norse Gods are the mythological characters from stories shared by Northern Germanic tribes of the 9th century AD. These stories were passed down in the form of poetry until the 11th – 18th centuries when the Eddas and other medieval texts were written. The Poetic Edda (also known as the Elder Edda) was committed to writing about 50 years after the Prose Edda. Besides these sources, there are surviving legends in Scandinavian folklore. A few runic inscriptions, such as the Rök Runestone and the Kvinneby amulet, make references to the mythology.
The Amazing Vikings Ravagers, despoilers, pagans, heathens--such epithets pretty well summed up the Vikings for those who lived in the British Isles during medieval times. For hundreds of years after their bloody appearance at the end of the 8th century A.D., these ruthless raiders would periodically sweep in from the sea to kill, plunder and destroy, essentially at will. "From the fury of the Northmen, deliver us, O Lord" was a prayer uttered frequently and fervently at the close of the first millennium. Small wonder that the ancient Anglo-Saxons--and their cultural descendants in England, the U.S. and Canada--think of these seafaring Scandinavians as little more than violent brutes. But that view is wildly skewed. The Vikings were indeed raiders, but they were also traders whose economic network stretched from today's Iraq all the way to the Canadian Arctic. In doing so, the curators have laid to rest a number of popular misconceptions, including one they perpetuate in the show's title.