What was the nature of viking warfare

Why did the Vikings leave Scandinavia?

Homework/Revision Reminder r Viking fo rs o t c fa H 3 – PUS Migration. acks on tt a r fo rs o t 2 – PULL fac rope.

Eu North-West e Viking th y h w f o 1 – Example isfarne was so ind attack on L successful.

You had homework set last lesson on the Lindisfarne raid.

It is due for: Next Lesson It can be found at: (TGI Location) Help can be found on: (Revision session date)

What was the nature of Viking warfare?

LO: To examine tactical advantages and techniques employed by Viking forces.

Key Words • Monastery: A large church that is home to monks.

These were usually in isolated locations and very wealthy.

• Monks: Men who devoted their lives to their religion.

• Susceptible: To be weak against something, an ‘easy target’.

Starter • Examine the map on your tables.

• Which approach do you think would be the most effective and why? Write your answer in your books.

• I think the most effective way to attack the monastery would be…, this is because…

Your Task – Part 1 • Examine the information on Viking raiding tactics.

• Suggest how each of the following allowed Viking success; – Fear – Speed – Technology.

 You are only completing the FIRST COLUMN.

Example - Battle tactics on land •

Viking raids often lacked formation. They have been described as "bees swarming."

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However, what they lacked in formation they made up with communication.

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If confronted by legitimate forces in raids, Vikings would create a wedge formation, with their best men, or beserkers, at the front of this wedge.

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They would throw spears, and rush this wedge through enemy lines where they could engage in hand-to-hand combat, which was their forte.

Your Task – Part 2 • Review your findings of Viking raid tactics.

• Suggest why monasteries and coastal towns were most susceptible to these factors.

 Answer this in FULL SENTENCES.

Which tactical advantage do you think was most effective and why?

• I think the most effective tactic employed by the Vikings was…, this is because…

• An example of where this was used was…, this tactic was successful because…

• Key Word: employed: ‘used’.

Viking Advantage

Fear

Speed

Technolog y

How the Vikings use these to their advantage?

Why were raid targets so susceptible to these?

Use of rivers •

Viking longboats were the most technologically advanced of the age.

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They were shallow enough to go up rivers and were very manoeuvrable. E.g. the low mast, built for speed when the winds were favourable, could easily pass under bridges often erected in rivers.

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This meant that they could beach their ships on land and surprise the enemy.

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Often travelling in small packs, or bands, they could easily go undetected, swiftly enter a village or monastery, pillage and collect booty, and leave before reinforcements arrived.

Vikings used rivers to attack major cities such as Paris or London.

Culture of war •

The tactics and warfare of the Vikings were driven by their cultural ideologies.

Vikings ignored common battlefield customs and unspoken rules of warfare – deceit, stealth, and ruthlessness were not seen as cowardly.

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Violence was seen as a measure to defend honour. Honour could be shamed from mere insults, where Norsemen were expected to react with violence often resulting in death.

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The necessity of defending honour with violence, along with the belief that time of death was preordained (and dying in battle would result in entrance to Valhalla), adventure and fearlessness were core values to the Viking Age.

Beserkers •

Sagas often mention beserkers Viking warriors said to have magical powers that allowed them to be impervious to injuries on the battlefield.

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While these stories are exaggerated, in truth some Viking warriors were able to enter an intense, trance-like state whereupon they would "engage in reckless fighting”

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These warriors were greatly feared

by Christians in Frankish and English regions who viewed such men as satanic.