Viking Raids
Viking raids almost always came as a total surprise. Vikings were expert navigators and knew the coasts of Europe like the back of their hand.
Vikings would row their ships up rivers to reach their targets. If their targets were too far inland the Vikings would leave their ships, round up available local horses and head to the village of their choice. They often had superior weapons, were well trained, and often got what they wanted. After a raid they would return to their ships and sail away.
For the people attacked, it was difficult to organize a defense because of the speed in which everything happened. The effect on the people would be similar today to an attack by troops brought in by helicopters to attack a small peaceful town.
Vikings fought mostly on foot but used their ships to transport themselves to the battlefield.
Weapons and Armor
The Vikings were greatly feared for their strength and skill in battle. They used a vast array of weapons and armor: swords, axes, and spears were their main weapons, but some also used bows and daggers. Armor consisted of helmets, shields, and chain mail or leather tunics.
Viking shields were usually round and made of wood. Vikings wrapped metal strips around their shields to hold them together. Viking shields were often painted in bright colors.
Viking weapons included swords, axes, spears, halberds, knives and bows.
Exploration
The Vikings were a group of seafarers from Scandinavia that colonized and raided parts of Europe from about 800 AD through about 1050 AD.
The Vikings are often thought of as warriors and conquerors. Now we know that most of their travels were based on trade and exploration. They traveled over much of the coast of Europe including Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Spain. Some Vikings even sailed as far as North America! Archeologists have found evidence that Vikings colonized Newfoundland. Vikings found North America 500 years before Columbus was even born.
Viking Disputes and the Afterlife
Vikings were constantly engaging in disputes with each other. A common way to solve disputes between two Vikings or Viking parties was to have a duel. The first Viking’s blood to touch the ground immediately lost the case. The idea was that their gods were on the victor’s side, they would not let the innocent lose.
Vikings always wanted to win because they did not believe in the afterlife and knew that their name and reputation were extremely important to remember.
Viking Gods
Here are five of the many gods the Vikings worshipped:
Odin god of warriors, battle, wisdom, and poetry
Legend of Odin: Odin had a horse called Slepner. Slepner had eight legs so it never got tired. Odin also had two ravens called Hugin and Munin. Odin sent the ravens out each morning and in the afternoon they returned to tell him news from all over the world. All of those who had died in battle came to Odin’s castle, Valhall in Asgard.
Thor god of thunder
Legend of Thor: When he rode across the sky in his enormous chariot drawn by goats, there was thunder and lightning. His weapon was the hammer, Mjollnir. Thor was the god of farmers and seafarers and was always ready to protect humans against the dangerous giants of the underworld.
Frey god of marriage and growing things
Legend of Frey: When crops were sowed in the spring a hole was dug in the middle of the field. Pieces of bread and some eggs were put into the hole and some beer was poured on top. This pleased Frey and he would probably then help to make the crops grow tall and strong.
Loki the god of mischief and lie
Legend of Loki: Loki is one of the major deties in the Norse pantheon. He is the son of the giant Farbauti and the giantess Laufy. He is connected with fire and magic and can assume many different shapes such as a horse, falcon, and fly. He is crafty and malicious but is also heroic. The god grows progressively more unpleasant and is responsible for the death of Balder, the god of light. Loki’s mistress is the giantess Angrboda, and with her he is the father of three monsters. His wife Sigyn, who stayed loyal to him even when he was punished for the death of Balder. For punishment he was chained to three large boulders; one under his shoulders, one under his loins, and one under his knees. A poisonous snake was placed above his head. The dripping venom is caught by Sigyn in a bowl. But when the bowl gets full she has to leave to empty it. Then the poison will fall onto Loki’s face making him twist in pain, causing earthquakes.
Idun the goddess of youth
Legend of Idun: Idun is married to Bragi and is the keeper of the apples which keep the gods young. One day Odin, Loki and Hoenir were traveling when they came upon an ox. They were very hungry so they decided to cook it. For some reason the ox would not cook. As they were trying to figure out why it wasn’t cooking a huge eagle perched above them in an oak tree told them he knew why the ox wasn’t cooking and would show them how if they would let him eat part of it. When they finally got the ox cooked the eagle ate so much that Loki got angry and took a pole and struck at the eagle. The eagle flew upwards with the pole and Loki stuck to the other end. He told Loki that he would only let him down if he agreed to kidnap Idun and her magical apples of immortality. When the gods arrived in Asgard Loki did as he promised and lured Idun outside of Asgard where the eagle was waiting. The eagle was none other than the giant Thiazi in his eagle skin cloak. Thiazi took Idun to his home called Thrymheim in the mountains of Jotunheim. The gods began to quickly age once the source of their immortality had been stolen so they decided Loki should have to go and fetch her back. Loki borrowed Freya’s falcon cloak and flew to Thrymheim where he found Idun alone. He turned her into a nut and flew her back to Asgard as fast as he could, holding her in his claws. As soon As Thiazi found out that Idun was gone, he put on his eagle cloak and flew towards Asgard. His wings beat so hard and fast he caused strong winds that made Loki’s escape harder. The gods could see Thiazi coming towards Asgard so as soon as Loki was inside Asgard boundaries the gods set fire to Thiazi’s wings. Once the giant fell to the ground they killed him.
Viking Life
All Vikings weren’t as evil as people think. At home the Vikings lived in small communities of farmers and traders. Most Vikings were farmers that grew crops, raised farm animals, fished, and hunted.
Vikings most important crop was grain. They used it to make bread and porridge. Farmers also grew barley, rye, and oats. Only the rich could afford wheat. Vikings also collected wild nuts and berries. Longhorn cows, goats, sheep, pigs, geese, and chickens were all Viking farm animals. They used them for meat, milk, eggs, wool, and leather. Every part of the animal was used, they wasted nothing. A large number of animals were slaughtered before winter and their meat was preserved by salting or smoking. During the winter Viking farmers had to store enough food to last their whole family the season.
Women were very important in Viking life. The men were often gone for long periods of time so the women ran the house. The wife would raise the children, look after the farm, take care family business, and do the chores. Most Vikings lived in longhouses. Which were narrow houses made with different kinds of wood.
The Vikings had three main classes: the jarls, the karls, and the thralls. The jarls were the royalty. The karls were the farmers, traders, and craftsmen. Thralls were the slaves and prisoners. Freedom could be earned or bought.
For entertainment the Vikings liked to play games. They played a board game called Hneftafl which was a form of checkers. During the summer they played outdoor ball games, and challenged each other to wrestling and swimming matches. Storytelling was also another favorite form of entertainment. Storytellers were called Skalds. They would tell tales of adventures, heroes, and gods. Skalds were always on demand for feasts and at the court of chieftains.