The Viking Expansion
There have been many theories as to why the Vikings began their expansion campaign and why they began to raid coastal settlements and monasteries. Kirsten Wolf, author of The Daily Life of the Vikings, and the book The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Viking, both expound these many theories and describe personal, as well as practical reasons for the Vikings explorations and plundering. Unlike The Historical Atlas, Wolf states that the “large-scale emigration” could have occurred because of the Viking’s sense of adventure and honor. However, she also points to the evidence that Scandinavia had a growing population at this time and had little suitable land for farming, so they need to expand to accommodate rising needs. She goes on explain that due to the rugged landscape and the vast expanse of the Scandinavian empire, it was hard to unite under single governments. Many Scandinavian settlements were under the leadership of local Jarls or Earls. Some Scandinavians moved because were unhappy with their political situation. (Wolf, 2004, p.141)
The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings builds off of these notions of a growing population and political turbulence as the reason for the Vikings expansion. They also explain that ship building, trading, and centralization of power, were major factors. It notes that without the ships the Vikings could not have traveled as they did, however, it is ideal to note the correlation does not equate to causation. The Vikings also raided because, through their trade, they came to know of the riches flowing around Europe. Therefore, the existence of piracy implies the presence of something of value worth taking. This plundering was inhibited by the fact that many of the Vikings leaders were royal exiles. As the political system underwent major changes, competition for places among the high few was growing dimmer. These exiles went plundering to increase their wealth and reputation, or these exiles decided that if they could not rule in their homeland, they would rule elsewhere. Regardless of their intentions, the brunt force of the Viking raids lasted about 300 years from around 789 A.D to 1100 A.D. (Haywood, 1995, pg.8)
These raids, settlements, and explorations affected the Vikings as much as the world around them. Eventually the Vikings were converted to Christianity, but not before they brought some aspect of their own culture with them. In fact, the Vikings were trading with Europe far before they started raiding them, so they knew of the existence of Christianity before delving into unknown lands. When the conversion started, the Vikings were generally very accepting of the new ideas (Haywood, 1995, p.100). During this time, the Vikings brought there myths, legends, and language with them, and eventually there influence reached expanses of the Earth that European travelers had yet to see.
Other interesting facts:
- The Vikings did not just plunder other parts of the world, if the opportunity arose they would raid their own lands in Scandinavia (Haywood, 1995, p.8)
- Other peoples occasionally joined in on Viking raids, such as Irishmen, Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Bretons, and the Slavs (Haywood, 1995, p.9)
- The first raiders attacked coastal villages and monasteries to loot or hold captives for a ransom or sell them to slave markets. Raiding with the intention of settlement became a later motive. (Haywood, 1995, p.8)
- Many Vikings took to raiding as a temporary occupation in order to get enough money to acquire land back at home
Note: All images are taken from The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings and are divided into Scandinavian Geography, Expansions & Settlements, and Raids & Conflicts and are subdivided by date. To view a larger image of the map, click on it.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings builds off of these notions of a growing population and political turbulence as the reason for the Vikings expansion. They also explain that ship building, trading, and centralization of power, were major factors. It notes that without the ships the Vikings could not have traveled as they did, however, it is ideal to note the correlation does not equate to causation. The Vikings also raided because, through their trade, they came to know of the riches flowing around Europe. Therefore, the existence of piracy implies the presence of something of value worth taking. This plundering was inhibited by the fact that many of the Vikings leaders were royal exiles. As the political system underwent major changes, competition for places among the high few was growing dimmer. These exiles went plundering to increase their wealth and reputation, or these exiles decided that if they could not rule in their homeland, they would rule elsewhere. Regardless of their intentions, the brunt force of the Viking raids lasted about 300 years from around 789 A.D to 1100 A.D. (Haywood, 1995, pg.8)
These raids, settlements, and explorations affected the Vikings as much as the world around them. Eventually the Vikings were converted to Christianity, but not before they brought some aspect of their own culture with them. In fact, the Vikings were trading with Europe far before they started raiding them, so they knew of the existence of Christianity before delving into unknown lands. When the conversion started, the Vikings were generally very accepting of the new ideas (Haywood, 1995, p.100). During this time, the Vikings brought there myths, legends, and language with them, and eventually there influence reached expanses of the Earth that European travelers had yet to see.
Other interesting facts:
- The Vikings did not just plunder other parts of the world, if the opportunity arose they would raid their own lands in Scandinavia (Haywood, 1995, p.8)
- Other peoples occasionally joined in on Viking raids, such as Irishmen, Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Bretons, and the Slavs (Haywood, 1995, p.9)
- The first raiders attacked coastal villages and monasteries to loot or hold captives for a ransom or sell them to slave markets. Raiding with the intention of settlement became a later motive. (Haywood, 1995, p.8)
- Many Vikings took to raiding as a temporary occupation in order to get enough money to acquire land back at home
Note: All images are taken from The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings and are divided into Scandinavian Geography, Expansions & Settlements, and Raids & Conflicts and are subdivided by date. To view a larger image of the map, click on it.
Scandinavian Geography
Arable Land in ScandinaviaState Power 800-1000Expansion & SettlementsScotland 800-1014Danish Settlement 865-879Settlement of Greenland 900-1490
Vikings in North AmericaRaids & ConflictsViking Raids 789-839Viking Raids in Western Europe 840-860English Rebellions 1066-1071 |
Iron Age ScandinaviaAttacks on Flanders & Seine 878-892....Exploration of Iceland 860-870Icelandic Settlements 870-1263Expansion 1100-1292Placenames in Britain & Ireland....Viking Raids in Ireland 795-873Ireland Assimilation & Conflict 874-1014 |