Viking Revision
Background The ‘Viking Age’ as it is known is roughly between the years 700 and 1100 AD. Most Vikings were tribal (groups of people who live together largely off the land and sea. Usually led by a chief) ‘Viking’ comes from the Scandinavian expression ‘to travel/explore’. They were some of the greatest explorers of the age, settling in England, France, Russia and Asia. Key Leaders – Fact File Rollo (c. 846-932)
Called Rollo the Walker,(size) Attacked Scotland and sailed to and Ireland in 885 with seven hundred ships Then sailed to the mouth of the river Seine and captured the city of Paris. First ruler of the region of northern France which would become Normandy. Ruled wisely and well; laws were fair and the farmers and tillers of the land were protected so that the land became rich and prosperous. Robbers and murderers were dealt with so severely that they ceased to frequent that duchy. Converted from Norse paganism to Christianity and intermarried with the local women. After his death, his son William I of Normandy succeeded him, and the offspring of Rollo became the Dukes of Normandy. Rollo’s family line includes William the Conqueror of England and his legend continues today as he is one of the ancestors of the present-day British royal family.
Erik the Red (c.950-1003) Created the first Norse settlement in Greenland. Erik the Red was exiled from his Viking homeland in Iceland for ‘some murders’ committed around 982 Looked to explore new lands. Popular history credits Erik as the first person to discover Greenland, First permanent European settler and the most powerful man in Greenland, He managed to set up two successful settlements that lasted almost until the time of Columbus. Rose to 5000 inhabitants – A disease epidemic wiped them out including Erik. Religion = Norse paganism. His son Leif Erikson brought Christianity to Greenland. Harald Bluetooth (958AD-988AD)
United tribes of Denmark and stopped attacks from Norway and Germany
Strengthened the defences of his nation by building the "Trelleborg." (Six fortresses) across Denmark. Housed 500 warriors and defended Denmark from future attack. Devout Christian and converted the people of Denmark. Bluetooth's own son, Sweyn Forkbeard would rebel against him, forcing him to flee Denmark, dying in 986 AD, __________________________________________________________________________________
Sweyn Forkbeard (960-1014)
Organised campaigns of robbery and casual cruelty. One of the only Viking kings to have coins made with an image in his likeness. Overshadowed by his father Harold Bluetooth, who is considered the father of the Danes, and his son, Canute, the Great. Remains are in Winchester Cathedral. Killed after just 40 days on being on the throne (unknown)
Cnut (Canute) the Great (c.985)
Involved in the raids on England in 1013 Became King of the Danelaw. An excellent warrior and a successful raider By the 1020’s, Cnut was able to claim to be ‘king of all England, and of Denmark, of the Norwegians, and part of the Swedes’. Cnut was a religious man (Christian) and a clever politician, Cnut was the first king to successfully rule over England. Because he also ruled the Viking homelands, he was able to protect England against attacks, maintaining 20 years of peace during which trade, Anglo-Scandinavian art and Christianity were able to flourish. Cnut respected old English laws; he brought a sense of justice and a regard for individual rights. He built many churches (penance) Cnut died in 1035, aged forty. Unfortunately his heirs were weak and allowed his empire to break up. None of Cnut’s children produced any heirs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harald Hardrada (c.1015-1066)
Harald Sigurdsson (nickname Hardrada - "hard ruler"), was King of Norway from 1046 to 1066. Unsuccessfully claimed the Danish throne until 1064 and the English throne in 1066.
Was a mercenary and military commander in Kievan Rus' and rose to power within the Byzantine Empire. Achieved power in Byzantine and fought in the Mediterranean. He amassed considerable wealth during this time. When Edward the Confessor died in 1066, claimed he had been promised the English throne by King Hardicanute. His death at Stamford Bridge brought an end to his invasion and to an end of the Viking Age. Harald is also commonly held to have been the last great Viking king, or even the last great Viking. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stereotypes •
Violent
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Ruled by the strongest man in the tribe.
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Stole
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Women were second class.
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Were always travelling on their ships.
Tribal Structure King/J arl Karls (Ordinary Vikings) Thralls/Slaves
Life was different from village to town. This creates problems for Historians in summarising what Viking life was like. However, trade was critical to all Vikings.
Trade One group that Viking tribes traded with was the Saami of Scandinavia, who were specialist hunters. Vikings would trade furs in return for fish and reindeer.
They travelled as far as the Middle East and Asia thanks to their advanced ships. Silver, found in Scandinavia must have come from trade with the earlier Roman Empire. Damascus also sent Vikings silver to build swords. Evidence of bronze scales prove that silver was measured as money. Towns such as Bergen, (Norway) Hedeby (Denmark) and Birka (Sweden) became huge settlements due to the trade that passed through. Foreign artefacts in these areas prove that trade existed. Settlements and artefacts found down the river Volga in Russia; e.g., Arabic coins
To what extent did the Volga Vikings assimilate with Eastern and Arab society? (Did the Vikings assimilate or dominate?
Volga trade, settlement in Russia and the Arab World Arguments for Assimilation Many Vikings moved to live on the trade route rivers permanently. (The Rus) There have been hoards of Arab coins found in Russia and Scandinavia by archaeologists. This suggests that the Volga Vikings must have traded regularly with the Arabs and sent good home to their relatives.
Arguments against Assimilation Oleg captured Kiev and Novgorod through battle and created a separate empire of the Rus. In 913, 500 ships attacked the city of Gorgon in Persia (Iran), taking slaves and goods. On their return, the Viking raiders were attacked and defeated by Persians along the Volga river, and survivors were taken as slaves.
Government •
Councils met to make important decisions.
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Council meetings (Things) would be held for the senior members of the tribes (Jarls) and would be decided by democratic vote.
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These would also be used to judge criminals
Women •
Some of the most equal in Europe at the time.
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Could own land and property,
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Had a variety of jobs that were the same as men and
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Could seek divorce as she was equal to her husband.
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Some women fought as These ‘shield maidens’ but these were few
Most women chose to stay at home to look after the land and children.
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Farming •
Viking life depended on the land they lived off all year round.
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The farming cycle dictated how they lived.
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Spring and Summer - grow crops,
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Autumn – Harvested.
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Winter - Animals would be bred and looked after during this time. The Vikings would eat their livestock in the winter to survive.
Why did the Vikings attack the West? Migration: To leave your country for another. Raid: A shock attack on an opponent that usually aims to steal resources or gold. PUSH FACTOR is a reason that causes someone to want to leave their homeland (such as war or poverty). A PULL FACTOR is a reason that attracts someone to live in a certain place (such as better opportunities and wealth).
In 793, 'Northmen' attacked the Christian monastery on the island of Lindisfarne in Northumbria, in north-east England. So, why did the Vikings “head” West?
Learn these key reasons to as why the Vikings headed West.
1. Overpopulation in Scandinavia – this led to infighting amongst tribes and people wanted to leave. (PUSH) 2. Climate changes led to the disappearance of Herring, the staple food source from Scandinavian waters. (PUSH) 3. Poor soil fertility - Food supplies were running low in Scandinavia. (PUSH) 4. The gradual development of trading posts meant that invasion became easier over time. (PULL) 5. Ship technology - sails and shallow hulls (the body of the boat) meant that Viking ships were fast and able to travel up rivers. Attacks surprised enemies and weakened them before larger forces could arrive. (PUSH) 6. Agnatic primogeniture was the law. Second sons had to find wealth for themselves. (PUSH) 7. There was spectacular wealth in the west; Constantinople (treasure) and farm land (England and France) (PULL)
Why were Vikings so effective in warfare?
Fear
Technology
Berserker warriors terrified the enemy
Longboats were advanced Ship hulls (shallow) meant they could leap out of ships and attack immediately. Drain plugs meant water could leak out of the ship when pulled onshore. Tarred animal fur kept boats sealed. Shields alongside the longboats meant that they were protected whilst sailing up and down rivers The oars were made of pine with a narrow blade, which makes for an efficient, lightweight oar Weapon training began in youth.
Blood Eagle ritual scared enemies of treason Used “wedge” formations to “swarm” like bees over their enemies. Fearsome carvings on the front of their ships – described as “devils” when they landed at Lindisfarne.
Speed Used stealth, deceit and ruthlessness. (Loki worship)
Attacked in small groups. They could leave before reinforcements could arrive.
Excellent silver from Damascus meant that two handed swords were very strong. Example Answer – Viking Warfare “The study of Viking society in their homelands of Scandinavia shows us that they were much more than just warriors”. How far do you agree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.
I partially agree that the study of Viking society in their homelands of Scandinavia shows us that they were much more than just warriors. However, there is also evidence to suggest that Vikings were, at times, just warriors.
On one hand, I agree that the study of Viking society in their homelands shows us that they were much more than just warriors. Even if the Vikings were known abroad as ruthless pirates, at home
they lived in a well-ordered society, based on laws and democracy. As part of the feudal structure that Vikings lived in, they would make use of councils to make important decisions. Council meetings (Things) would be held for the senior members of the tribes (Jarls) and would be decided by democratic vote. Also, many historians regard Viking women as some of the most equal in Europe at the time. Viking women were able to own land and property, worked a variety of jobs that were the same as men and could even seek divorce as she was equal to her husband. Secondly, the existence of a trading empire reaching as far East as Constantinople suggests that the Vikings did not only rely on raiding to gain resources. Towns such as Bergen, (Norway) Hedeby (Denmark) and Birka (Sweden) became huge settlements due to the trade that passed through. Archaeologists have found many foreign artefacts in these areas such as significant amounts of silver and rare goods and accounts of Viking merchants by Arab scholars illustrates their interest in exploration as well as conquest. Finally, the value placed on family and honour suggests that Vikings were far more than just warriors. Viking rituals and remembrance ceremonies such as ship burials and runestones show the strength of these family ties. For instance, the Lingsberg Runestone was erected by a mother and her sons in remembrance for their husband and father.
On the other hand, I partially disagree that the study of Viking society in their homelands shows that they were more than just warriors. Firstly, Viking beliefs in the Norse gods suggest that their society was warlike; fearlessness and success in battle was considered honourable to Vikings, and to get to Valhalla, the hall of Odin, a Viking would have to die in battle. Disputes between Kings or Jarls were settled by wars, and of course raiding was a major part of Viking culture to gain resources from the West. Even some Viking women were warriors, known as ‘shieldmaidens’, although the majority
chose to stay at home to look after the land and children. Vikings are remembered for their brutal attacks on monasteries such as Lindisfarne and the siege of Paris, and this is a huge part of their culture and history. Also, the fact that many Viking treasures found in Scandinavia are associated with war further confirms that this was at the core of their lives. The Oseberg longship, for example, from a Norwegian burial mound and built for a 9 th century Queen, tells us that the highest honour was to be a warrior at sea. Also, Damascus Steel, wielded into weaponry has been found in areas of Scandinavia; a telling sign of the nature of Viking society.
To conclude, I agree that study of Viking society in their homelands of Scandinavia shows us that they were much more than just warriors. Archaeological finds such as impressive, high quality crafts and bronze scales to measure silver as money, suggest a civilised society and one that may have been the forefather of modern democratic society. However, Viking society was also warlike and this permeated through every part of their daily lives and rituals. Of course, it is difficult to speak of ‘the Vikings’ as one people as there was such a diverse amount of tribes and different types of Vikings throughout Scandinavia, therefore it is difficult to know if some tribes were more warlike than others.
Viking Religion The Vikings worshipped different gods. They believed in the existence of different realms (seen below)
Viking God Odin
Area of power The King of the Gods, who was known for being wise and knowledgeable. He ruled the Halls of Valhalla, where the dead drank and fought.
Thor
God of war and thunder, who wielded the mighty hammer MjĂślnir. This God was also in charge of looking after humans on Earth.
Freya
Ruled over fertility, love, and beauty. This God was in charge of claiming half of the souls of soldiers in battle.
Loki
God of tricks and mischief. This God had a strong rivalry with their half-brother.
Sif
Golden-haired deity who represented both the union of marriage and the importance of healthy crops to the Vikings.
Runestones: Memorial stones for powerful Vikings. Runes/Runic: The written language of the Vikings. Remembrance: Ways of remembering the dead. Skalds were Viking poets and storytellers. Stone Ship Burial – Leaders were buried with their possessions