Who were the Vikings? The Vikings were Scandinavian farmers, fishers, herders and pirates whose raids and invasions from Russia to North America between roughly 800-1000 AD helped shape the medieval period of the region.
Where the Vikings come from? The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The name 'Viking' comes from a language called 'Old Norse' and means 'a pirate raid'. People who went off raiding in ships were said to be 'going Viking'.
The Vikings in Britain Southern Britain (England) had been settled by the Anglo-Saxons. You can find out more on our Anglo-Saxons site. In AD 787 three Viking longships landed in southern England. The Vikings fought the local people, then sailed away.
Viking's houses Vikings did not have much furniture - perhaps a wooden table and benches for sitting on and sleeping on.
Vikings toilets There were no bathrooms in Viking's homes. Most people probably washed in a wooden bucket, or at the nearest stream.
What did they eat? From bones, seeds and other food remains at Viking sites, we know they ate meat from farm animals, and from wild animals that they hunted, and collected foods such as berries and nuts.
Making things A family could buy a cooking pot, a pair of shoes, a new padlock for the family store-chest, or a brooch. Woodworkers and leatherworkers were busy making plates, cups, belts and shoes.
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