Which one of these people is a Viking?

Most people would probably have guessed that the man with the horned helmet is the Viking. Indeed the very word "Viking" means "pirate". But in fact it is the picture of the other man which is more

The second picture is based on evidence collected by historians and archaeologists. They have found no evidence that Vikings always wore horned helmets or that they always carried weapons.

So why do people today think of the Vikings as wild, savaalways fighting and raiding?

One of our main sources of information about the Vikings is the writing of monks who lived in monasteries in Ireland, Scotland, England and France. These monasteries were often attacked and robbed by Vikings from about A.D. 750 to A.D. 1100. The monks saw the Vikings as pagans who had little respect for Christian holy places. So it is little wonder that they had a bad opinion of the Vikings.

The Vikings

Which one of these people is a Viking?

Most people would probably have guessed that the man with the horned helmet is the Viking. Indeed the very word "Viking" means "pirate". But in fact it is the picture of the other man which is more accurate.

The second picture is based on evidence collected by historians and archaeologists. They have found no evidence that Vikings always wore horned helmets or that they always carried weapons.

So why do people today think of the Vikings as wild, savage people who were always fighting and raiding?

Sources of Information.

One of our main sources of information about the Vikings is the writing of monks who lived in monasteries in Ireland, Scotland, England and France. These

attacked and robbed by Vikings from about A.D. 750 to A.D. 1100. The monks saw the Vikings as pagans who had little respect for Christian holy places. So it is little wonder that they had a bad opinion of the

Most people would probably have guessed that the man with the horned helmet is the Viking. Indeed the very word "Viking" means "pirate". But in fact it is the

archaeologists. They have found no evidence that Vikings always wore horned

ge people who were

One of our main sources of information about the Vikings is the writing of monks who lived in monasteries in Ireland, Scotland, England and France. These

attacked and robbed by Vikings from about A.D. 750 to A.D. 1100. The monks saw the Vikings as pagans who had little respect for Christian holy places. So it is little wonder that they had a bad opinion of the

We do however have at least two Vikings:

The findings of archaeologists who have excavated sites where Vikings settled - camps, farms and towns.

The writings of the Vikings themselves. They wrote long stories called sagas about the brave deeds of gr

We will look in lesson two at some extracts from these tales, especially from one called Egil's Saga.

We do however have at least two other sources of information about the

The findings of archaeologists who have excavated sites where Vikings camps, farms and towns.

The writings of the Vikings themselves. They wrote long stories about the brave deeds of great Viking heroes.

We will look in lesson two at some extracts from these tales, especially from

other sources of information about the

The findings of archaeologists who have excavated sites where Vikings

The writings of the Vikings themselves. They wrote long stories

We will look in lesson two at some extracts from these tales, especially from

Scandi

Here is a map of Scandinavia, the land of the Vikings. Today Scandinavia comprises three countries -often referred to as the Danes but they came from all over Scandinavia.) Let us take a closer look at one Scandinavian country

Here is a list of important geographical factthe map, try to write down the reasons why Vikings usually travelled by sea.

Some facts about Norway

1. Norway is mostly a high, mountainous plateau.2. Much of the surface is bare rock.3. Farmland makes up only 3% of the surfac4. Winter temperatures inland are often well below freezing.5. Warm ocean currents prevent harbours from freezing.6. Summer temperatures seldom rise above 16 degrees C, except in the

south.

Scandinavia - the home of the Vikings

Here is a map of Scandinavia, the land of the Vikings. Today Scandinavia - Norway, Sweden and Denmark. (The Vikings were

often referred to as the Danes but they came from all over Scandinavia.) Let us take a closer look at one Scandinavian country - Norway.

Here is a list of important geographical facts about Norway. Using this list and the map, try to write down the reasons why Vikings usually travelled by sea.

Some facts about Norway

Norway is mostly a high, mountainous plateau.Much of the surface is bare rock.Farmland makes up only 3% of the surface of Norway.Winter temperatures inland are often well below freezing.Warm ocean currents prevent harbours from freezing.Summer temperatures seldom rise above 16 degrees C, except in the

Here is a map of Scandinavia, the land of the Vikings. Today Scandinavia Norway, Sweden and Denmark. (The Vikings were

often referred to as the Danes but they came from all over Scandinavia.) Let us

s about Norway. Using this list and the map, try to write down the reasons why Vikings usually travelled by sea.

Summer temperatures seldom rise above 16 degrees C, except in the

ACTIVITY: Notice how the Atlantic Ocean has indented the Norway forming steep-sided bays called fjords. Find Sogne Fjord on the map. It stretches inland for 160 kilometres. Killary Harbour between Galway and Mayo is Ireland's only fjord. You can find it on a good map of Ireland.

Here is a map of the Viking world around the tenth centuryThe map of the Viking world will give you an idea of how far afield the Vikings travelled. We know that the Vikings visited distant places because Viking objects have been found there by archaeologists.

Notice how the Atlantic Ocean has indented the west coast of sided bays called fjords. Find Sogne Fjord on the

map. It stretches inland for 160 kilometres. Killary Harbour between Galway and Mayo is Ireland's only fjord. You can find it on a good map of

the Viking world around the tenth centuryThe map of the Viking world will give you an idea of how far afield the Vikings travelled. We know that the Vikings visited distant places because Viking objects have been found there by archaeologists.

west coast of sided bays called fjords. Find Sogne Fjord on the

map. It stretches inland for 160 kilometres. Killary Harbour between Galway and Mayo is Ireland's only fjord. You can find it on a good map of

the Viking world around the tenth century.The map of the Viking world will give you an idea of how far afield the Vikings travelled. We know that the Vikings visited distant places because Viking

Sometimes objects made in Irish monasteries have been found thousands of kilometres from Ireland. They could have been bought or stolen by Vikings and carried away.

We can see from the map that the Vikings travelled along rivers that brought them well into Russia. They went as far south as North Africa. The Vikings set up colonies in Ireland, England, Scotland, Iceland and the south of Greenland.

They even reached North America many years before Christopher Columbus did. The part of America in which they settled was know today as Newfoundland.

VIKING NETWORK IRELAND

Viking Raids

From the eighth century onwards, the Vikings travelled far and wide. They traded with many nations, but they also raided foreign lands, stealing goods and treasures. These extracts from Egil's Saga tell about Viking raids from the point of view of the Vikings themselves.

The first extract tells about Egil's uncle Thorald when he was a young man:

When Thorald was about twenty years old he made up his mind to go on a Viking expedition, so his father gave him a longship. Evind and Obir joined him with another longship and a good number of men, and they spent the summer plundering. There was plenty of loot so each man

objects made in Irish monasteries have been found thousands of kilometres from Ireland. They could have been bought or stolen by Vikings and

We can see from the map that the Vikings travelled along rivers that brought hey went as far south as North Africa. The Vikings set

up colonies in Ireland, England, Scotland, Iceland and the south of Greenland.

They even reached North America many years before Christopher Columbus did. The part of America in which they settled was called Vinland - a place we know today as Newfoundland.

VIKING NETWORK IRELAND

THE VIKINGS

Lesson Two.

Viking Raids - Looking at the Sagas.

From the eighth century onwards, the Vikings travelled far and wide. They traded with also raided foreign lands, stealing goods and treasures. These

extracts from Egil's Saga tell about Viking raids from the point of view of the Vikings

The first extract tells about Egil's uncle Thorald when he was a young man:

about twenty years old he made up his mind to go on a Viking expedition, so his father gave him a longship. Evind and Obir joined him with another longship and a good number of men, and they spent the summer plundering. There was plenty of loot so each man got a good share.

objects made in Irish monasteries have been found thousands of kilometres from Ireland. They could have been bought or stolen by Vikings and

We can see from the map that the Vikings travelled along rivers that brought hey went as far south as North Africa. The Vikings set

up colonies in Ireland, England, Scotland, Iceland and the south of Greenland.

They even reached North America many years before Christopher Columbus a place we

From the eighth century onwards, the Vikings travelled far and wide. They traded with also raided foreign lands, stealing goods and treasures. These

extracts from Egil's Saga tell about Viking raids from the point of view of the Vikings

about twenty years old he made up his mind to go on a Viking expedition, so his father gave him a longship. Evind and Obir joined him with another longship and a good number of men, and they spent the

got a good share.

That's how things were for a number of years Viking expeditions and every winter they would stay at home with their families and parents. Thorold brought his parents a lot of valuable things.

The story about another Viking says this:Bjorn was a man of outstanding talents and a great seafarer. He divided his time between Viking raids and trading voyages.

And here is the story of an expedition on which Egil himself was present:In the spring they started gettingthey went plundering that summer in the Baltic. They captured a great amount of loot and fought many good battles.

One day they put in near a large estuary that lay beneath a vast area of forest. They decided to go ashore and divide into groups, each of them twelve strong. They went into the forest and it wasn't long before they came to the settlements where they started pillaging and killing. Some people made a run for it and got away, but no one fought back. Late the horn to call his men back down to the ship.

A successful raid was not always as easy as it sounds in this extract. People in small villages might run away when they were surprised by a sudden attack, but things did not always go so smoothly for the Vikings. Indeed Egil's Saga goes on to tell that Egil did not return to his ship as he had been captured.

http://www.history.org.uk/resources/primary_resource_3739_132.html

ACTIVITY:

1. Why did the Vikings go on raiding expeditions?2. Do you think the type of land in which they lived had anything to do

with Viking raids?3. Why?4. At what time of year

That's how things were for a number of years - every summer they'd go on Viking expeditions and every winter they would stay at home with their families and parents. Thorold brought his parents a lot of valuable things.

nother Viking says this:Bjorn was a man of outstanding talents and a great seafarer. He divided his time between Viking raids and trading voyages.

And here is the story of an expedition on which Egil himself was present:In the spring they started getting a big longship ready. Once it was manned they went plundering that summer in the Baltic. They captured a great amount of loot and fought many good battles.

One day they put in near a large estuary that lay beneath a vast area of forest. ashore and divide into groups, each of them twelve strong.

They went into the forest and it wasn't long before they came to the settlements where they started pillaging and killing. Some people made a run for it and got away, but no one fought back. Late in the day Thorold sounded the horn to call his men back down to the ship.

A successful raid was not always as easy as it sounds in this extract. People in small villages might run away when they were surprised by a sudden attack, but things did not

go so smoothly for the Vikings. Indeed Egil's Saga goes on to tell that Egil did not return to his ship as he had been captured.

http://www.history.org.uk/resources/primary_resource_3739_132.html

ACTIVITY: Think and Discuss

Why did the Vikings go on raiding expeditions?Do you think the type of land in which they lived had anything to do

At what time of year did the Vikings go on these expeditions?

every summer they'd go on Viking expeditions and every winter they would stay at home with their families and parents. Thorold brought his parents a lot of valuable things.

Bjorn was a man of outstanding talents and a great seafarer. He divided his

a big longship ready. Once it was manned they went plundering that summer in the Baltic. They captured a great amount

One day they put in near a large estuary that lay beneath a vast area of forest. ashore and divide into groups, each of them twelve strong.

settlements where they started pillaging and killing. Some people made a run in the day Thorold sounded

A successful raid was not always as easy as it sounds in this extract. People in small villages might run away when they were surprised by a sudden attack, but things did not

go so smoothly for the Vikings. Indeed Egil's Saga goes on to tell that Egil did

Do you think the type of land in which they lived had anything to do

did the Vikings go on these expeditions?

5. Why did they choose this time to travel?6. Who looked after their homes and farms while they were away?7. When they went abroad did they spend all their time raiding?8. What else did they do?9. Why do you think Thorald div

went ashore?10.Can you guess why the people in the settlements did not fight

back?

Pretend that television existed in Viking times and organise an interview with Thorald and his men after their return from acan play different parts.

Many of the Viking sagas have been translated into English and can be found in libraries.The Vinland Sagas tell the story of how the Vikings reached North America.King Harold's Saga gives aEngland.Choose a story from one of the Viking sagas and present it in the form of a short play.

Viking Raids

Not everyone saw the Vikings as brave warriors, however. The monks monasteries were attacked by Viking raiders had very different opinions.

Read these extracts carefully and see if you can understand the monks' attitude to the Vikings. The Annals of Ulstersummary of his entry for the year 820:

The sea belched forth a flood of foreigners over Ireland. No harbour, no beach, no town, fort or castle could be found that survived the waves of Vikings and pirates. THe Danes conquered land throughout Munster. They attacked chiefs, churches and holy sanctuaries, destroying our shrines and our books.

Why did they choose this time to travel?Who looked after their homes and farms while they were away?When they went abroad did they spend all their time raiding?What else did they do?Why do you think Thorald divided his men into groups when they

Can you guess why the people in the settlements did not fight

For you to do

Pretend that television existed in Viking times and organise an interview with Thorald and his men after their return from a raid. Different people in your class

Many of the Viking sagas have been translated into English and can be found in

tell the story of how the Vikings reached North America.gives an account of a Viking leader who became king of

Choose a story from one of the Viking sagas and present it in the form of

Viking Raids - What the Monks thought.

Not everyone saw the Vikings as brave warriors, however. The monks whose monasteries were attacked by Viking raiders had very different opinions.

Read these extracts carefully and see if you can understand the monks' attitude to the Annals of Ulster were probably written by an Irish monk. Here is a

his entry for the year 820:

The sea belched forth a flood of foreigners over Ireland. No harbour, no beach, no town, fort or castle could be found that survived the waves of Vikings and pirates. THe Danes conquered land throughout Munster. They

chiefs, churches and holy sanctuaries, destroying our shrines and

Who looked after their homes and farms while they were away?When they went abroad did they spend all their time raiding?

ided his men into groups when they

Can you guess why the people in the settlements did not fight

Pretend that television existed in Viking times and organise an interview with raid. Different people in your class

Many of the Viking sagas have been translated into English and can be found in

tell the story of how the Vikings reached North America.n account of a Viking leader who became king of

Choose a story from one of the Viking sagas and present it in the form of

whose

Read these extracts carefully and see if you can understand the monks' attitude to the were probably written by an Irish monk. Here is a

The sea belched forth a flood of foreigners over Ireland. No harbour, no beach, no town, fort or castle could be found that survived the waves of Vikings and pirates. THe Danes conquered land throughout Munster. They

chiefs, churches and holy sanctuaries, destroying our shrines and

A round tower was erected on many monasteries and was used as a place of refuge from Vikings and other attackers.

This is the tower at Ardmore, Co. Waterford

Along the margins of another manuscript are these words. They were probably also written by an Irish monk. They are probably the most famous words ever written about a Viking raid:

Rough is the wind tonightTossing the sea's white hair.I need not dread the fierce VCrossing the Irish Sea.

ACTIVTY: Can you say why the monk seems pleased about the bad weather?

A round tower was erected on many monasteries and was used as a place of refuge from Vikings and other attackers.

This is the tower at Ardmore, Co. Waterford

margins of another manuscript are these words. They were probably also written by an Irish monk. They are probably the most famous words ever written about

Rough is the wind tonightTossing the sea's white hair.I need not dread the fierce VikingCrossing the Irish Sea.

Can you say why the monk seems pleased about the bad weather?

A round tower was erected on many monasteries and was used as a place of refuge

margins of another manuscript are these words. They were probably also written by an Irish monk. They are probably the most famous words ever written about

Can you say why the monk seems pleased about the bad weather?

This is what a French monk wrote about Viking raids in France:

The endless flood of Vikings is on the increase. Everywhere, Christ's people are the victims of massacre, burning and theft. The Vikings destroy everything. Towns are emptied and evil triumphs! Monks, townspeople and everyone else have been slaughtered or taken prisoner. Monasteries along the river Seine have been destroyed. The Vikings haa state of terror.

ACTIVITY: Looking at the Evidence.Vikings. The writings of the monks show us something completely different. In order to form an accurate opinion, historian

From the evidence you have read what is your opinion of the Vikings?Why do you think they carried out their raids?Why did they especially want to attack monasteries?

Find words in the sagas which describe how these under Vikings.Then look at what the monks thought of the Vikings and list their ideas under Monks.

This is what a French monk wrote about Viking raids in France:

The endless flood of Vikings is on the increase. Everywhere, Christ's people victims of massacre, burning and theft. The Vikings destroy

everything. Towns are emptied and evil triumphs! Monks, townspeople and everyone else have been slaughtered or taken prisoner. Monasteries along the river Seine have been destroyed. The Vikings have left the remaining people in

Looking at the Evidence.The Viking sagas give us one picture of the Vikings. The writings of the monks show us something completely different. In order to form an accurate opinion, historians must look at all the evidence available.

From the evidence you have read what is your opinion of the Vikings?Why do you think they carried out their raids?Why did they especially want to attack monasteries?

Find words in the sagas which describe how the Vikings saw themselves and list

Then look at what the monks thought of the Vikings and list their ideas

The endless flood of Vikings is on the increase. Everywhere, Christ's people

everything. Towns are emptied and evil triumphs! Monks, townspeople and everyone else have been slaughtered or taken prisoner. Monasteries along the

ve left the remaining people in

The Viking sagas give us one picture of the Vikings. The writings of the monks show us something completely different. In order to

the Vikings saw themselves and list

V

Look at the map of the Viking world. How were the farthest points they had travelled to the north, east and south?

This passage from Egil's Saga shows how news travelled throughout the Viking world long before the time of telephones, radio and television. to marry a young woman called Thora, but her father would not give them his permission. So Bjorn took Thora away. Because of this, Bjorn was declared an outlaw, and this message was passed from settlement to settlement:

Just before winter a boat from Orkney put in at Shetland. It brought news that a longship from Norway had arrived at Orkney in the autumn. The king's men had been aboard, carrying the message that the king wanted Bjorn dead, no matter where he was found. This samand even as far as Dublin.

Try to find all the places mentioned in this story in your atlas.

This extract and others from Egil's Saga show us that the Vikings were a seapeople. For them, their ships were of thstrong, able to travel great distances and survive heavy seas and Atlantic storms. Viking longships were some of the best sea

Let us try to find out what these longships

VIKING NETWORK IRELAND

THE VIKINGS

Lesson Three.

Viking Longships.

Look at the map of the Viking world. How far west had the Vikings travelled? What were the farthest points they had travelled to the north, east and south?

This passage from Egil's Saga shows how news travelled throughout the Viking world long before the time of telephones, radio and television. A Viking called Bjorn wanted to marry a young woman called Thora, but her father would not give them his permission. So Bjorn took Thora away. Because of this, Bjorn was declared an outlaw, and this message was passed from settlement to settlement:

fore winter a boat from Orkney put in at Shetland. It brought news that a longship from Norway had arrived at Orkney in the autumn. The king's men had been aboard, carrying the message that the king wanted Bjorn dead, no matter where he was found. This same message had been sent to the Hebrides and even as far as Dublin.

Try to find all the places mentioned in this story in your atlas.

This extract and others from Egil's Saga show us that the Vikings were a sea-going people. For them, their ships were of the greatest importance. They had to be large and strong, able to travel great distances and survive heavy seas and Atlantic storms. Viking longships were some of the best sea-going vessels the world has ever seen

Let us try to find out what these longships were like:

far west had the Vikings travelled? What

This passage from Egil's Saga shows how news travelled throughout the Viking world A Viking called Bjorn wanted

to marry a young woman called Thora, but her father would not give them his permission. So Bjorn took Thora away. Because of this, Bjorn was declared an outlaw,

fore winter a boat from Orkney put in at Shetland. It brought news that a longship from Norway had arrived at Orkney in the autumn. The king's men had been aboard, carrying the message that the king wanted Bjorn dead, no

e message had been sent to the Hebrides

going e greatest importance. They had to be large and

strong, able to travel great distances and survive heavy seas and Atlantic storms. Viking

This is a Viking burial ship known as the Oseberg ship. It is in a museum in Oslo.many people long ago, the Vikings sometimes buried valuable things with their dead loved ones. When Egil's brother died in battle. according to the saga, hclothing and gold jewellery were buried along with him.

Some Viking princes were so rich that they could afford to be buried in their magnificent longships. Some of these ship burials have been discovered and examined by archaeologists.

Source: http://worldhistory.mrdonn.org/vikings.html

This is a Viking burial ship known as the Oseberg ship. It is in a museum in Oslo.many people long ago, the Vikings sometimes buried valuable things with their dead loved ones. When Egil's brother died in battle. according to the saga, his weapons, clothing and gold jewellery were buried along with him.

Some Viking princes were so rich that they could afford to be buried in their magnificent longships. Some of these ship burials have been discovered and examined

http://worldhistory.mrdonn.org/vikings.html

This is a Viking burial ship known as the Oseberg ship. It is in a museum in Oslo. Like many people long ago, the Vikings sometimes buried valuable things with their dead

is weapons,

magnificent longships. Some of these ship burials have been discovered and examined