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Where did the Vikings come from? The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The name 'Viking' comes from a language called 'Old Norse' and means 'a pirate raid'. People who went off raiding in ships were said to be 'going Viking'. The Viking age in European history was about AD 700 to 1100. During this period many Vikings left Scandinavia and travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland. Some went to fight and steal treasure. Others settled in new lands as farmers, craftsmen or traders.
Can you make a viking Time-line? AD 700 The viking age begins
AD 787 The first viking raid on England AD 865 The great army of vikings England AD 900 The Vikings establish rule over the north of Scotland
AD 793 Vikings attack monastery Lindisfarne AD 866 The vikings capture England
AD 1001 The vikings land in America AD 1006 Knut of Denmark becomes King Of England
AD 1066 William the conquerer, descended from vikings, invades England
AD 878 King Alfred defeats the vikings
AD 1002 King Sweyn of Denmark invades England
AD 1200 The end of the viking age
The vikings came from Scandinavia. What are the countries of Scandnavia called? Colour the countries where the vikings came from in blue.
Using this superior technology the Vikings were world travelers in an age when most men never ventured more than a few mfrom the place of their birth. Powered by both a square sail and oars, and usually filled with a war party of Norsemen with their shields arrayed along the sides, these dragon headed shallow draft ships could travel on both rivers and the open sea. Viking warriors traveled far and wide seeking plunder, trade, and a glorious death in battle to assure them a place in Valhalla.
The Viking warlord Eric the Red, and his son Lief Ericson are famous for voyaging west to what would become America. In Europe Catholic Monasteries were a favourite target for raids, as well as river and coastal towns. Some Vikings settled permanently in what became known as Normandy, others attacked and established a Norman presence in Naples. The word Norman, of course, comes from Norsemen or North men. In the east Vikings settled Kiev and Novgorod, and both attacked and served Byzantium. mast
Square sail Dragon headed
rudder oars
Can you mark on the map where the vikings travelled to?