* 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.
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.
Primary History - Vikings Primary History - Vikings - Beliefs and stories Vikings Homework Help Where did the Vikings settle in Britain? The area eventually settled by Vikings was called the Danelaw. It formed a boundary separating Anglo-Saxon England from Viking England and was defined in a treaty between the English King Alfred and Viking King Guthrum in AD 880. It lay north of Watling Street, a Roman road running from London north-west to Chester and covered northern and eastern England. The Vikings settled in: Islands off the coast of Scotland - Shetland, Orkney and The Hebrides Around the north and north west coast of Scotland Parts of Ireland - Dublin is a Viking city The Isle of Man Small parts of Wales Parts of England known as Danelaw Place Names We can tell where the Vikings settled by place names of towns and villages today. Place names ending in –by eg. Derby - A village where deer are found Place names ending in –thorpe (or -thorp, -throp or –trop) eg. Place names ending in –toft or-tofts. Viking Words
The Vikings - Britons, Gaels, Picts, Angles and Vikings The Vikings were Norsemen who came to raid and pillage, to trade and to settle in Scotland. They were expert sailors who made their way across the treacherous North Sea in longships from Norway and Denmark from the late 8th century. The Vikings sailed as far west as Greenland and North America. The pagan Vikings raided Christian monasteries in search of gold and silver, food and slaves. In this year terrible portents appeared over Northumbria and sadly affrightened the inhabitants: there were exceptional flashes of lightning, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, AD 793 The Norse began to settle in Scotland and gradually merged with the local people. Before the Vikings came as raiders their ancestors were probably traders who visited Scotland.
Viking gods Odin Odin was the chief god in the Norse mythology, and the father of Thor, Balder, Hoder, Tyr, Bragi, Heimdall, Ull, Vidar, Hermod and Vali. His wives were Fjorgyn, Frigga and Rind. He had a bad habit to roam around Midgard in human disguise seducing and impregnating women. Thor Thor was the son of Odin and Fjorgyn. thunder, the sky, fertility and the law. Loki Loki can be called the 'wizard of lies' and is in many ways the most interesting god in Asgard. Frey Frey was a fertility god of the the Vanir race. Freya Freya was the goddess of sex and later also war and death. Idun The goddess of spring and immortal youth was called Idun. Sif Sif was the goddess who married Thor and bore his stepson (by Odin), Ull. Hel Hel was a goddess (or a monster), a daughter of Loki and Angrboda, who ruled over Niflheim, which was the land of the dead.
Vikings - Gods and Goddesses - Britons, Gaels, Picts, Angles and Vikings The Vikings believed in giant gods and goddesses who ordered the world around them. Warriors who died gloriously in battle could expect to feast with the gods in Valhalla, the mighty hall of the slain. The Valkyries, warrior maidens, would fill their drinking horns with mead. The greatest Viking god was Odin, god of war, poetry and wisdom. He was also known as: ‘The One-Eyed’ because he exchanged one eye for the gift of knowledge and wisdom‘The All-Knowing’, because his two ravens (Huginn and Muninn - ‘Thought’ and ‘Memory’) flew over the earth by day and brought Odin news each night‘The Lord of the Gallows’, because Odin had the power to make hanged men reveal their secrets after death. One of Odin’s sons was Thor, god of thunder, storms and winds - vital to Viking crews who prayed to him before their voyages, even after becoming Christians. Odin’s wife was Frigga, goddess of married love and the family hearth. Vikings sometimes wore symbols of their gods and goddesses.
Fun Facts on Vikings for kids *** Fun Facts on Vikings for KidsLooking for help with homework and school? Find out fast, fun facts and interesting information using our useful fact files, fact sheets and funny videos on each of the Viking Subjects. The free Facts Files and Fact sheets provide interesting, amazing, fun facts and information, together with pictures, photos and a fun video. The free fact files and free fact sheets include cool info plus a free video, they are great guide to the Viking Era and include topics about warriors, ships, women, children, history, clothing and daily home life Fun Facts on Vikings Ships for KidsFind out quick, fun facts and interesting information using our useful fact files and fact sheets on Viking Ships. Fun Facts on Viking Warriors for KidsDiscover fast, interesting fun facts on Viking Warriors and learn some amazing, cool and quick information. Fun Facts on Clothing for KidsLearn fast facts about clothing in the Viking Era. Funny and Fun Facts on Vikings for Kids via Videos
History - Vikings Teaching Ideas Viking Longship Burning - A set of photos showing the burning of a Viking longship on the seafront at Arbroath in 2003. Contributed by a visitor. Vikings - Act out this story about a Viking family feud. Viking Ideas - The Cursed Sword - A collection of History / Literacy ideas which are based on the book 'The Cursed Sword'. <A HREF=" Viking culture, people and history The Vikings have had a well-defined public image for centuries, and have even become a staple of comic book illustrations with colorful images of horned helmets, berserkers, longships, Valhalla, the one-eyed god Odin and men dying sword in hand or drinking out of skulls. The Vikings were pirates who came to plunder and kill, and they spread terror along Europe's coasts. But their posthumous reputation is not entirely fair: They were not just ruthless warriors, but also skilled traders, administrators and craftsmen in metal and wood, producing beautiful jewellery and artefacts that survive to this day. Longships In medieval Norway the basis for agriculture was poor. This resulted in voyages of discovery, trade and opportunistic raiding of coastal cities, towns and settlements across Europe. Viking courage How did such a small and scattered people conquer so much territory? Viking courage is probably also linked to their dark sense of humour, as expressed in the writing of their sagas.