The Vikings

The period of Viking attacks was from 768 through 1000. The first attack was on an English monastery.  It is believed that the attacks occurred because of a population explosion in the Scandinavian countries. Vikings may have started as traders, but drawn but the increasing wealth of Europe became pillagers. European rulers also set Viking bands on their rivals. The term Viking came from the Scandinavian word for Journey.

Viking Appearance was different from the way they are depicted in popular culture. They did not wear animal skins or bull horned helmets.

Vikings carried round wooden shields with a metal stud called a buckler in the middle.  They were skilled with leather and wore leather boots and belts.  Their pants and ¾ length jackets were made of wool.  Vikings wore chain mail jackets over their wool coats.  In cold weather they would also wear a cloak.  The helmet was made of iron and would have a nose piece to protect face. Some helmets would have a length of chain mail on the back to protect neck.

Vikings had some battle tactics. Below we see the full wall.  When the Vikings charged they would form the full wedge. Vikings were larger then Europeans. They are described as being six feet tall or more. They weighed more as well. This gave them an advantage in combat.

The Vikings were known by different names according to the region they attacked the Vikings were known by different names according to the region they attacked.

Normans – This term was used in France. Later, the French give the Normans their northern coast. This land will be called Normandy.

 The English have a variety of names for the Vikings.

North men

Norse

Danes      

The Vikings will settle the middle of England.  They found the city of York. The middle of England was known as the Dane law for two hundred years.  The Vikings also found the city of Dublin in Ireland.

Rus - used by Muslims. Vikings were not successful against the professional army of the Muslims. Vikings came as traders of goods they had stolen from Europe.

Swedes also is used.

Lands the Vikings came from:

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Russia

Sweden

Switzerland

Greenland – founded by Vikings

Iceland – Country founded by Vikings

Islamic and Christian opinions and dealings with the Vikings were quite different. To Christians the Vikings were inhuman ravagers, but

Muslims present an entirely different view. Click the underlined to read a Muslim, then a Christian account of the Vikings.

Islam - Rus1 Rus 1a Rus 2

Christian - Vike 1 Vike 2