THE VIKINGS
Where were they from?
The Vikings came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This area is known as Scandinavia.
They sailed, traded and raided across the Northern and Central Europe during the 8th century to the late 11th century.
Their expansion
The Vikings explored the northern islands and coasts of the North Atlantic, including Britain, Greenland, Iceland, and North America, ventured south to France and the Mediterranean sea and North Africa and east to Russia, Constantinople, and the Middle East.
The Vikings did not expand or conquer much into mainland Europe. Their realm was bordered by powerful cultures to the south.
The Vikings seemed to get everywhere!
Constantinople was the main city of the Byzantine empire. The Vikings traded there
The Vikings were the first Europeans to reach America.
Eric the Red founded a new settlement in Greenland.
The Vikings had settlements in Iceland in the ninth century.
The French king gave the province of Normandy to a Viking duke named Rollo to stop him attacking.
The Vikings settled in an area called Rus. The name Russia comes from this word.
After the ascent of the Guadalquivir river, the Vikings sacked Sevilla in 844.
They occupied our city for 42 days.
At this time, Seville was part of the Emirate of Córdoba.
The Vikings in Seville?!?
LONGSHIPS
The Vikings used longships to raid and steal from other lands.
The Longships were powered by sails or by rowing with oars.
Longships were crafted out of woods and were very effective across the surface of the waves. They used their boats for transporting cargo, trading and for exploring.
A FEW QUESTIONS TO CHECK IF YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING...
What was a longship made of and how was it powered?
Where did the Vikings come from?
Why didn’t they conquer much inland Europe?
Who settled in Greenland?
What is Rus called today?
Which centuries did the Vikings live in?
When did the Vikings sack Seville? Who were the rulers of Seville at that time?
Viking children did not go to school so instead, lessons came in the form of Sagas or long stories. They described the adventures of great Viking warriors or gods. The Sagas were an important way to teach History, Geography and navigation. The Vikings often decorated buildings with pictures from famous sagas.
The Viking alphabet was called the Futhark. The letters or runes were carved into wood or stone. The runes are made of straight lines so it is easier to carve them.
Sagas and Runas
Viking Gods
The Vikings believed there were many different gods that lived in a place called Asgard.
Odin was the god of war. He rode an eight legged horse.
Loki was half god and half fire spirit. He played tricks to cause trouble.
Thor was the god of thunder. He had a quick temper but was good hearted.
A FEW QUESTIONS TO CHECK IF YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING...
What did the Vikings call long stories?
What were these stories supposed to teach?
What is the Asgard?
Why were runes carved as straight lines?
What was Thor the god of?
Who used to play tricks on the gods?
Weapons
Viking weapons were heavy and strong. The blacksmith would make these as well as jewellery. The metal would be heated up and then banged into shape. To make a weapon stronger, it would be plunged into cold water.
They made weapons like helmets, swords, axes, spears and shields.
Who ruled the Viking countries?
Who were the freemen?
Where was the food stored?
What was a ‘smithy’ used for?
What was kept in the longhouse?
What were their houses made of?
Give some examples of Viking weapons.
How were the weapons made?
JUST ONE FINAL CHECK...