Quick History
The beginning of the Viking Age is often cited as 793 when the Vikings raided the Lindisfarne church. From there the prime of the Viking Age lasted about 300 years where many of the Vikings raids and expansion campaigns began around 800 A.D and ended in 1100 A.D. The Vikings expanded to almost every region of the world. This expansion included Russia, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Atlantic Coast, North America, Iceland, Greenland, the Mediterranean, and the Straits of Gibraltar (Wolf, 2004, p.1)
The Vikings originated in Scandinavia which is mainly comprised of Norway and Sweden, though most definitions include Denmark and the colonized Faroe Islands and Iceland (Wolf, 2004, p.4).
As said before, the Viking age ended around 1100 A.D. By this time, Denmark and Norway were Christianized. Scandinavian politics were unstable as many dispute led to civil wars. This internal turmoil and conflict greatly affect Norway. They were not as politically advanced as Denmark and Sweden and as a result, they lost opportunities for expansion (Haywood, 1995, p.134). The Viking Age had come to an end.
To learn more about their land, go to the ‘Maps’ page, or view the videos below.
The Vikings originated in Scandinavia which is mainly comprised of Norway and Sweden, though most definitions include Denmark and the colonized Faroe Islands and Iceland (Wolf, 2004, p.4).
As said before, the Viking age ended around 1100 A.D. By this time, Denmark and Norway were Christianized. Scandinavian politics were unstable as many dispute led to civil wars. This internal turmoil and conflict greatly affect Norway. They were not as politically advanced as Denmark and Sweden and as a result, they lost opportunities for expansion (Haywood, 1995, p.134). The Viking Age had come to an end.
To learn more about their land, go to the ‘Maps’ page, or view the videos below.
Daily Life
The term ‘Vikings’ is an common, albeit incorrectly, given name to all Scandinavians. Vikings were Scandinavians who went i viking, or plundering (Haywood, 1995, p.46). However, since common culture has come to recognize this term in associate with all peoples of Scandinavia, it will be used to reference both the raiders and families back on land. Vikings were also known as ‘pirates’, ‘foreigners’, ‘pagans’, and ‘gentiles’, and were also formally called the ‘Northmen’, ‘Rus’, ‘Danes’, ‘Scandinavians’, ‘Ashmen’, ‘Norse’, and ‘Norsemen’.
Despite popular portrayals of Vikings, they did not wear horned helmets, and many of them were not raiders. Much of what is known about the Vikings are through archaeological digs or writings from medieval Europe. While raids are a major part of Viking culture and history, historians and archaeologist have come to realize that many of the manuscripts from Europe describing these raids may be somewhat biased and exaggerated (Haywood, 1995, p.46). The Vikings may have not been any more cruel or aggressive than the Europeans. Historians cite the crusades and punishment practices from medieval Europe as support.
Despite popular portrayals of Vikings, they did not wear horned helmets, and many of them were not raiders. Much of what is known about the Vikings are through archaeological digs or writings from medieval Europe. While raids are a major part of Viking culture and history, historians and archaeologist have come to realize that many of the manuscripts from Europe describing these raids may be somewhat biased and exaggerated (Haywood, 1995, p.46). The Vikings may have not been any more cruel or aggressive than the Europeans. Historians cite the crusades and punishment practices from medieval Europe as support.
Raids
To learn more about the Vikings actual raids, watch the videos below or go to the ‘Maps’ page.
Video Documentaries
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