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J ourneys
STARTING POINT
What do you know about the Vikings? Who were they? Where did they go? How did they get there? When was the Viking Age? Discuss these questions with a partner or in small groups.
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During the Viking Age (793–1066 AD) many people left Scandinavia. They were looking for adventure and riches. We call these people Vikings. The Vikings were master shipbuilders. They could travel long distances in their longships. They explored and settled many different places in Europe, the Middle East and the islands of the North Atlantic. They even made it to Canada. The Vikings hunted, traded and raided. Sometimes they took people and used them as slaves. People feared the sight of Viking ships.
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STEVE BARLOW AND STEVE SKIDMORE
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The Lost Diary of Eric Bloodaxe, Viking Warrior
Remember! You don’t have to understand all the words in a story to enjoy it.
Harald Finehair Harald Hårfagre AD (Anno Domini) e.Kr. (etter Kristus) crowned kronet court poet skald
Harald Finehair was the first King of Norway. When he died in 930 AD, his son, Erik Bloodaxe, was crowned king. A few years later, Erik’s younger brother, Hakon, became king. Hakon made Erik leave Norway. There are many stories about Erik Bloodaxe. Nobody knows if they are true. Some people think he was the last Viking king of Jorvik (York) in England. A court poet called Gorblime is telling the story here.
