How useful is this source for examining life in Worcester? Homework/Revision Reminder Your homework was set last lesson. It is due for: (date) It can be found at: (TGI Location) Help can be found on: (Revision session date)
What conclusion can we draw about Viking life? LO: To use evidence to form a general view of society.
Key Words • Stereotype: A oversimplified view of a person or group. • Democratic: An equal way of deciding things, everyone present gets a say.
How useful is this source for examining life in Worcester?
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How useful is this source for examining life in Worcester in 2015? Overall I think the source is/is not useful to historians because‌
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How useful is this source for examining Viking society? Overall I think the source is/is not useful to historians because‌
Today’s lesson • Last lesson we covered a basic overview of Viking society. • Today we will be aiming to cover a more evidence-based examination. • Today we will be challenging the Viking stereotype.
The Viking Stereotype • The Viking stereotype suggests the following; • They were an overly violent society. • Ruled by the strongest man in the tribe. • Stole what they wanted. • Women were second class. • Were always travelling on their ships.
Stereotype “All Vikings were violent and fought constantly with each other for power.”
“Viking society was run by the strongest man alone. Women were secondclass citizens.” “Vikings gained all their resources through war and theft.”
“Vikings lived mostly out at sea for the majority of the year.”
Evidence to support the stereotype
Evidence against the stereotype
Accuracy out of 5
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How accurate is the Viking stereotype? • I think the Viking stereotype is/is not accurate because? • Explain how your evidence has supported/disproved it (at least 3pts).
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How useful is this source for examining Viking society? Overall I think the source is/is not useful to historians because‌
Quiz! Answers
1. Name 3 countries that make up Scandinavia.
1.
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland.
2.
Jarl.
3.
Amber.
4.
The Saami.
5.
Bronze Scales.
2. What was a Viking leader called? 3. What did the Viking trade with the Romans in return for silver? 4. What was the name of the tribe of hunters that Vikings traded with? 5. What did Viking merchants use to weigh silver on?
Tribal Boundaries • While many Viking tribes and settlements traded in a consistent basis, others had more violent relationships. • Inter King/Jarl wars could break out over disputes for land and goods. This often led to one area being taken over by another leader. • Early in the Viking Age, there were many leaders who called themselves ‘King’.
The Vikings and Romans • As the Roman army spread throughout Europe they traded greatly with the Vikings. • Historians have found significant amounts of silver and rare goods in Scandinavia that were highly likely to have come from Roman-controlled countries. Scandinavia has no naturally-occurring silver. • The Roman’s popular use of Amber for jewellery has also suggested a Viking link as it was very common in the Scandinavian mountains.
The Farming Cycle • Viking life depended on the land they lived off all year round. • The farming cycle dictated how they lived. • Spring and Summer would be used to grow crops, which were then harvested in the Autumn. Animals would be bred and looked after during this time. The Vikings would eat their livestock in the Winter to survive.
Viking Merchants • Some Vikings made a living trading with tribes and other countries. • These Vikings would be constantly travelling in order to make a living, often taking advantage of advanced ships to get to their locations quicker. • The merchants used bronze scales to measure silver as money, may of which have survived as evidence.
Viking government • 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. • These would also be used to judge criminals.
Viking Women • 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. • However, very few Viking women have ever been recorded as going to war with the men. These ‘shieldmaidens’ were in the minority as most women chose to stay at home to look after the land and children.
Trade and Commerce • Trade was central to Viking society as they gathered resources they needed. • 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.
Viking Housing • Viking houses were built of wood, stone or blocks of turf - depending on local materials. • The houses were long box-shapes with sloping thatched or turf roofs. • Most houses had just one room for a family to share. Rich people's farmhouses might have a small entrance hall, a large main room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a store room. In a Viking town, houses were crowded close together along narrow streets.