GCSE History Outline • Units covered; – The Vikings – The Norman Conquest – Crime and Punishment – Nazi Germany – History around us (a local project)
What’s the link? Homework/Revision Reminder You will be set homework on: (Here I will tell you when) It is due for: (date) It can be found at: (TGI Location) Help can be found on: (Revision session date)
Who were the Vikings?
LO: To establish the chronology, geography and identity of the Viking people.
What’s the link?
Key Words • Scandinavia: The Viking homelands, made up of modern-day Norway, Sweden and Denmark. • Tribal: A small group of people who live together largely off the land and sea. Usually led by a chief.
When were the Vikings? 410: The Romans leave Britain
• The ‘Viking Age’ as it is known is roughly between the years 700 and 1100 AD.
632: Founding of Islam 700: Start of Viking Age
• Many historians accept that the people known as the ‘Vikings’ had been around for many centuries before.
793: First Viking raid on Lindisfarne in England
927: The Kingdom of England is established
1095: First Crusade is launched
1066: William the Conqueror wins the Battle of Hastings 1100: End of Viking Age
Scandinavia • The Vikings we will be studying lived in the lands of Scandinavia. • Historians have suggested that there were very few actual towns in Scandinavia. Most Vikings were tribal.
Your Task • On your tables you have a small info-pack on the Vikings. • Using the information, complete your worksheet in FULL SENTENCES. • Extension: Write down in your book two things about the Vikings you would like to know more about and why.
Viking Explorers • ‘Viking’ comes from the Scandinavian expression ‘to travel/explore’. • The Vikings were some of the greatest explorers of the age, settling in England, France, Russia and Asia.
The Viking Raiders
• The Vikings are largely remembered for conducting brutal raids on weak targets such as monasteries, where they would steal large amounts of supplies and valuables. • Some leaders tried to pay them to stay away, but this often led to even more raiders attacking!
Viking Traders • Vikings in Russia established the Volga trade route between Europe and Asia. • Using this route the Vikings were able to secure rare items such as silk, spices and wine.
Viking Beliefs
• The Viking Age saw a transition (move) from the Norse Gods to Christianity in most areas. • They originally believed in nine realms of existence, with humans living in the middle (Midgard).
The Viking Longboat • The Vikings are famed for their use of longboats during their raids. • These ships had a variety of advantages for attackers, such as a shallow hull to go up rivers and both wind and oar power for speedy getaways. • They also famously had scary figures at the front to frighten their opponents.
Vikings in Britain • The Vikings had a profound affect on the English kingdoms, where they settled and controlled one third of the country. • Viking Britain was ruled under Viking rules called the Danelaw, and they dramatically improved northern cities such as York, Derby and Leicester.
Viking Society • Life in Scandinavia changed dramatically during the Viking age as kings rose to control large regions. • The Vikings are somewhat unique for the time in that they allowed women to own property and also seek divorces if they were unhappy with their husbands! Some even fought in battles!
Viking Slavers • As well as trading with good from their homelands, the Vikings would also sell slaves that they had captured during raids! • Many slaves were used to row longboats before being sold in Europe and Asia.
The Sagas • With very little written history, the Vikings told stories called sagas to pass on knowledge. • These sagas explained battle tactics, travel routes and religion beliefs.
Viking Burial • For the greatest of Vikings, special forms of burial were used. • Fallen warriors were buried or burned with their ships and wealthy leaders may have had large runestones to tell of their lives.