Vikings!

Vikings!

The Vikings

• Scandinavia was home to the Vikings, and they were the ancestors to the Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes

• They lived in small villages where they were mainly involved in farming, fishing, and trading

• Their villages were well organized and were governed by a council called Folkmoot who decided whether or not they would go to war.

Viking Cooking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta3F0JBnEqY&feature=related

The Vikings cont.

• They were pagan worshippers of the gods Odin and Thor

– Odin was the god of battle and death– Thor ruled the sky and controlled the storms and

winds

Viking Invasions• The Vikings traveled from their land in search

of land, resources, and power.• They began to raid their southern neighbours

seriously and systematically around 790 CE.• What were they like?– Frightening warriors – often used a two edged

sword and aimed at enemies arms and legs– They also used a broad axe, arrows, and spears

Viking Invasions cont.• Most fierce warriors called “BESERKERS”:

prepared for battle by eating wild plants that drugged them and made them crazed.

• Wore layers of animal hides and leather helmets and carried round, wooden shields.

• Used long, wooden ships – could carry 50 men and were designed to travel on long ocean voyages as well as up shallow rivers.

5:11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmoX_ok6vHsStart- 3:11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPJ2rTjsWWo

• Ships had a snake or dragon head on prow and single sail – moved quickly.

Invasions cont.

• Vikings attacked in small raiding parties; small seacoast towns, churches, and especially monasteries

Viking Raids - sell any monk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRvvvVzIRK8&feature=related

Invasions cont.

• Where did they raid?– Along coasts of Ireland, western England, France,

Germany, and even as far south as Sicily

Invasions cont.

• Overland raids from Sweden spread to Russia and down Caspian Sea and to Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Invasions cont.

• By around 875 CE, some Vikings continued to raid, but others were ready to settle down.

• A group of Danish Vikings – Normans – settled on coast of France (Normandy).– Their leader, William the Conqueror, defeated the

English in 1066 in Battle of Hastings.• Vikings eventually settled in Baltic states –

became Christians

Viking Exploration• V’s amazing sailors – explorers travelled great

distances• Crossed Atlantic Ocean• Reached Iceland in 870 CE and Eric the Red

landed in Greenland in 982 CE• In 1000 CE, Lief Ericson, landed on the North

American coast, found wild grapes – named discovery Vinland.

Viking Contributions• culture advanced in manufacturing arms, jewelry, ships

• Expanded trade and est. major trading centres in England and France

• Literature (poetry) and art were appreciated throughout Europe.

• Viking Poetry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrBnIoONit0&feature=related

• Areas settled incorporated V language and vocab

• European feudal system direct result of Viking invasions

• English common law and parliamentary gov’t grew out of V practices