Vikings The Vikings Scandinavia was home to the

Vikings!

The Vikings • Scandinavia was home to the Vikings, and they were the ancestors to the Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes • They lived in small villages where they were mainly involved in farming, fishing, and trading • Their villages were well organized and were governed by a council called Folkmoot who decided whether or not they would go to war.

Viking Cooking: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ta 3 F 0 JBn. Eq. Y&feature=related

The Vikings cont. • They were pagan worshippers of the gods Odin and Thor – Odin was the god of battle and death – Thor ruled the sky and controlled the storms and winds

Viking Invasions • The Vikings traveled from their land in search of land, resources, and power. • They began to raid their southern neighbours seriously and systematically around 790 CE. • What were they like? – Frightening warriors – often used a two edged sword and aimed at enemies arms and legs – They also used a broad axe, arrows, and spears

Viking Invasions cont. • Most fierce warriors called “BESERKERS”: prepared for battle by eating wild plants that drugged them and made them crazed. • Wore layers of animal hides and leather helmets and carried round, wooden shields.

• Used long, wooden ships – could carry 50 men and were designed to travel on long ocean voyages as well as up shallow rivers. 5: 11 http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Gmo. X_ok 6 v. Hs Start- 3: 11 http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=x. PJ 2 r. Tjs. WWo • Ships had a snake or dragon head on prow and single sail – moved quickly.

Invasions cont. • Vikings attacked in small raiding parties; small seacoast towns, churches, and especially monasteries Viking Raids - sell any monk: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=GRvvv. Vz. IRK 8&feature=related

Invasions cont. • Where did they raid? – Along coasts of Ireland, western England, France, Germany, and even as far south as Sicily

Invasions cont. • Overland raids from Sweden spread to Russia and down Caspian Sea and to Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Invasions cont. • By around 875 CE, some Vikings continued to raid, but others were ready to settle down. • A group of Danish Vikings – Normans – settled on coast of France (Normandy). – Their leader, William the Conqueror, defeated the English in 1066 in Battle of Hastings. • Vikings eventually settled in Baltic states – became Christians

Viking Exploration • V’s amazing sailors – explorers travelled great distances • Crossed Atlantic Ocean • Reached Iceland in 870 CE and Eric the Red landed in Greenland in 982 CE • In 1000 CE, Lief Ericson, landed on the North American coast, found wild grapes – named discovery Vinland.

Viking Contributions • culture advanced in manufacturing arms, jewelry, ships • Expanded trade and est. major trading centres in England France

• Literature (poetry) and art were appreciated throughout Europe. • Viking Poetry: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Sr. Bn. Io. ONit 0&feature=rel ated • Areas settled incorporated V language and vocab • European feudal system direct result of Viking invasions • English common law and parliamentary gov’t grew out of V practices