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Run Time: [01:41:52] This riveting two-hour special investigates a new image of the Vikings that goes far deeper than their savage stereotype as raiding marauders. Faithful replicas of their magnificent ships, life-like computer animation and fascinating recreations reveal the Vikings as canny merchants, expert shipbuilders, superb artisans, and bold colonizers of lands that lay beyond the edge of the known world.

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Viking

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Chapter Chapter 2020 The VikingsThe VikingsWords, Terms and People to KnowWords, Terms and People to Know

►VinlandVinland►Erik the RedErik the Red►EthelredEthelred►RurikRurik►FjordFjord►JarlJarl►NorselawNorselaw►RolloRollo

►JutlandJutland►Leif ErikssonLeif Eriksson►BerserkersBerserkers►SagasSagas►EddasEddas►Varangian Varangian

RouteRoute►CanuteCanute

CChapter hapter 2020

The Vikings 800A.D.—1035 A.D.The Vikings 800A.D.—1035 A.D. Good Bye CharlemagneGood Bye Charlemagne

Between 800-1000 invasions completely Between 800-1000 invasions completely destroyed the Carolingian Empiredestroyed the Carolingian EmpireMuslim invadersMuslim invaders from the south seized Sicily from the south seized Sicily and raided Italyand raided ItalyIn the east the In the east the Magyars invadeMagyars invade and terrorize and terrorize Germany and ItalyGermany and ItalyIn the In the northnorth, the most dreaded of all, the , the most dreaded of all, the Vikings Vikings strike fear into the hearts of all God strike fear into the hearts of all God fearing Christians. (and everyone else too!)fearing Christians. (and everyone else too!)

Purple Viking Invasion RoutesGreen Magyar Invasion RoutesBrown Islamic Invasion Routes

The raids of the Vikings can be The raids of the Vikings can be considered the last phase of the considered the last phase of the Germanic invasions begun in the 4Germanic invasions begun in the 4thth centurycentury► Reasons for the Viking InvasionsReasons for the Viking Invasions

Climate would not support a large and Climate would not support a large and growing Viking populationgrowing Viking population

Constant warfare where a defeated chief Constant warfare where a defeated chief would rather go elsewhere than accept would rather go elsewhere than accept vassalage. Life tended to be short and vassalage. Life tended to be short and brutal. (chart)brutal. (chart)

Skilled and versatile seamen whose ships Skilled and versatile seamen whose ships allowed them to go any where including allowed them to go any where including areas with a very shallow draught.areas with a very shallow draught.

As this chart shows, 50% of adult men died between 21 and 30 years of age and this may be because of warfare and the generally turbulent times. For women, the risks were in pregnancy and childbirth and 35% of them did not survive beyond 30 years.

The 31 to 40 year olds were the 'middle-aged' people of the Viking Age and 50 years of age would be thought of as 'old'.

Women seem to have had an especially high death rate in the age group 41 to 50 when compared with the men, but this is because about eight out of ten of the adult men had already died at an earlier age.

It was exceptional for anyone to reach what we would today call 'old age'.

It has been estimated that about 17% of the population died in infancy, before reaching five years of age. About 16% did not survive to around 20 years of age. In all, more than 33% of the population did not reach adulthood.

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Most accounts of Vikings are based upon Most accounts of Vikings are based upon recollections of victims and therefore recollections of victims and therefore biasedbiased► Typically VikingTypically Viking

TradeTrade RaidRaid SettlementSettlement

► Join the Vikings! Meet strange Join the Vikings! Meet strange peoples……and kill them!and kill them! Attack cities along coastal areasAttack cities along coastal areas Penetrate deep into the MediterraneanPenetrate deep into the Mediterranean Invade the Rhone ValleyInvade the Rhone Valley Sailed, rowed and carried boats over the Russian Sailed, rowed and carried boats over the Russian

river systemriver system Raid Constantinople Raid Constantinople

”From the fury of the Northmen, Good Lord deliver us!" prayed the priests, and the people joined fervently in the prayer

In 794 came another flock of these vultures of the sea, who robbed a church and a monastery, plundering and killing, and being killed in their turn when a storm wrecked their ships and threw them on

shore. As a good monk writes of them: "The heathen came from the northern countries to Britain like stinging wasps, roamed about like savage wolves, robbing, biting, killing not only horses, sheep, and cattle, but also priests, acolytes, monks, and nuns."

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What were their goals?What were their goals?• Raids and loot were not the whole story of the Vikings. Land to farm was also a commodity. There were limited sources of food.

• They received influences from Europe that they saw as technologically and politically superior to their culture. Unlike many other invaders in history, the vikings weren’t trying to spread their religion that was paganism, rather gain new resources and new connections. They wanted political and economical advantage.

• They had to find food, live off the land, and set up shop. They drove people out and took their money and other valuables they had. Vikings targeted the church and monasteries, which were the major sources of wealth at the time.

An accurate depiction of what a Viking looked like.

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Gone Gone in a in a

►The most amazing thing about Norse The most amazing thing about Norse emigrations was the emigrations was the ephemeral natureephemeral nature of their settlements and kingdoms.of their settlements and kingdoms.

►The Norse quickly The Norse quickly incorporatedincorporated themselves into the existing populations themselves into the existing populations and institutions and and institutions and discard most discard most distinctly “Viking” characteristics.distinctly “Viking” characteristics.

►We know most about their world view We know most about their world view from Icelandic from Icelandic literature—especially the literature—especially the eddaedda of of Snorri SturlusonanSnorri Sturlusonan IcelandicIcelandic historian, poet historian, poet

and politician.and politician. (1178-1241?) (1178-1241?)

10One of the earliest Icelandic Manuscripts in Old Norse, the Viking language.

How do we know about the Vikings?How do we know about the Vikings?Sources and Contemporary Accounts

•Vikings left many traces of their settlements that are still visible today. Archaeology provides physical evidence of their conquests, settlements, and daily life.

•Not a lot of evidence survives, and much of what we have is either uninformative or unreliable. Many popular ideas of Vikings are 19th century inventions, such as horns on helmets. Few historical records and contemporary written sources exist anymore.

•Surviving accounts of Viking activity was almost exclusively written by churchmen. These included monastic chronicles such as the Anglo Saxon chronicle, Frankish, and Irish Annals. The chronicles reflect the fact that Vikings attacked these monasteries for their wealth and the accounts had a hostile tone to give a popular image of Viking atrocities. The Vikings were considered heathens for their invasions in monasteries and as a result were portrayed in the worst possible way.

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Samples of Viking language 8 year old Gisli from Reykjavik, Icelandtalks to you in his native language,

the genuine language of the Vikings.Listen to what he says:

I'm a Viking from IcelandÉg er víkingur frá Íslandi. WAV AU

Iceland is an islandÍsland er eyja. WAV AU

The vikings travelled a lotVíkingar ferðuðust mikið. WAV AU

Greetings from IcelandKveða frá Íslandi. WAV AU

One, two, three, fourEinn, tveir, Þrír, fjórir. WAV AU

Good nightGóða nótt. WAV AU

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Run Time: [13:56] Run Time: [13:56] The authority of chieftains was dependent upon their ability to provide for their The authority of chieftains was dependent upon their ability to provide for their

followers. In the early years of the Viking Age, the population of Scandinavia was followers. In the early years of the Viking Age, the population of Scandinavia was on the rise, and so was the number of chieftains.on the rise, and so was the number of chieftains.

CChapter hapter 2020The Vikings 800A.D.—1035 The Vikings 800A.D.—1035

A.D.A.D.► Section One: discusses Section One: discusses

the the effects of geographyeffects of geography on the development of on the development of the Vikings as seafaring the Vikings as seafaring peoplepeople

Extra Credit: view this 1958 spectacular and write a 250 word synopsis of the movie and earn points.

Did Vikings really wear horns on their helmets?

I. The LandI. The Land

► A. forests, rugged coastlines, A. forests, rugged coastlines, natural natural harbors called harbors called fjordsfjords, , thethe southern part called southern part called Jutland, or Denmark, was well Jutland, or Denmark, was well suited for farmingsuited for farming

► B. Most of Scandinavia B. Most of Scandinavia not suited to farming with not suited to farming with rocky soil and a short rocky soil and a short growing seasongrowing season

The Hardangerfjord in Hordaland, Norway.

The coastline of eastern Greenland, with its many fjords. At the bottom is the longest fjord in the world, Scoresby Sund.

East Greenland coast

►CC. Ships and Trade. Ships and Trade►1. Viking long ships 1. Viking long ships (see handout)(see handout)

►2. tall bows carved with shapes 2. tall bows carved with shapes meant to meant to frighten enemies and evil frighten enemies and evil spirits of the ocean.spirits of the ocean.

►3. awning to protect from weather3. awning to protect from weather►4. slept in sleeping bags and 4. slept in sleeping bags and carried bronze potscarried bronze pots

►5. plotted course from positions of 5. plotted course from positions of sun and starssun and stars

►6. traded furs, hides, fish and 6. traded furs, hides, fish and slaves for silk, wine, wheat and slaves for silk, wine, wheat and silversilver

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Ships and NavigationShips and Navigation• We know what their ships looked like because many vikings were buried with their goods that sometimes included their boats.

• They had swift wooden long ships, equipped with sails and oars.

• Shallow drought of these ships meant they were able to reach far inland by river or stream to strike and move before local forces could assemble.

• Ships had overlapping planks, and measured between 17.5m and 36m in length. They were steered by a single oar mounted on the starboard side.

• Reached an average speed of 10 to 11 knots

•Crews of 25 to 60 men would be common, but larger ships could carry over a hundred people.

• Sea battles were rare. They fought close to shore. Ships were roped together in lines to face an enemy fleet.

Figureheads would be raised at stem and stern as a sign of war.

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Viking Jutland (shown in orange) was used mostly for farming

Viking Voyages and Viking Voyages and TerritoriesTerritories

I. cont. I. cont. D. Towns, D. Towns, VillagesVillages, and , and JarlsJarls

► 1. trade led to market towns1. trade led to market towns (a.) two main streets with booths(a.) two main streets with booths (b.) towns protected by mounds of earth, (b.) towns protected by mounds of earth,

wooden walls and towers; houses had steep wooden walls and towers; houses had steep roofs and porchesroofs and porches

(c.) most Vikings lived in scattered villages(c.) most Vikings lived in scattered villages (d.) no central govt., people divided into (d.) no central govt., people divided into

groups ruled by military chiefs called jarls.groups ruled by military chiefs called jarls. (e.) Some(e.) Some jarls jarls become strong enough to be become strong enough to be

declared kingsdeclared kings (f.) Warriors preferred to die by their own (f.) Warriors preferred to die by their own

hand rather than give their enemies the hand rather than give their enemies the satisfaction of capturing or killing themsatisfaction of capturing or killing them

(g.) Women given great respect(g.) Women given great respect (h.) Men took great pride in their mustaches (h.) Men took great pride in their mustaches

and beards p.303and beards p.303

Viking men first put on a long woolen shirt and long cloth trousers which were held up by a sash or a drawstring. On top of this was worn a sleeved jerkin or a three-quarter coat with a belt. On his feet he would wear socks and soft leather shoes or long leather boots. In battle he would wear an iron helmet and a mail-chain to protect himself.

Viking women wore a long linen dress. It could be either plain or pleated. Over the dress they wore a long woolen tunic, a little like an apron. It was held up by a pair of brooches, sometimes joined by a chain or string of beads. Over the tunic she might wear a shawl. Her legs and feet were covered with thick woolly socks and soft leather shoes.Both men and women wore fur or woolen hats and cloaks in cold weather. The cloaks were fastened at the shoulder with a brooch or a pin.

Houses of wealthy families probably had decorative wall hangings, or carvings, or possibly paintings. The sagas tell of elaborately decorated shields hung on the and tapestries hung to decorate the hall for feasts.

Viking HouseViking House

Reconstruction of housing

Birka listen (help·info) (Birca in medieval sources), on the island of Björkö (literally: "Birch Island") in Sweden,

What people ate and drank

What did the population of a Viking town eat and drink? The evidence is that the people in one town, Jorvik, (present day York England) ate well and were not, in normal times, likely to have experienced much of a 'hungry gap' towards the end of winter. The main meat in the diet came from the domesticated animals - beef, pork, mutton and lamb, chicken and goose. Sometimes the meat of hunted animals and birds (especially deer, hares, moorland birds, woodland birds and waterfowl) was eaten. Fish also featured in the diet of the townspeople of Jorvik, both from the rivers and from the sea, though sea fish became more important in the eleventh century. Shellfish were eaten. Bread was made from wheat, barley and rye. Oats were grown and made into bread or cakes. Oatcakes were still made and called 'havercakes' or 'haverbread' in Yorkshire right up to the early twentieth century, from the Old Norse word for oats, 'hafre'. Sometimes the cereal grains would be steeped (or 'creed') in milk, or milk and water, to soften them; the mixture would then be cooked as porridge. Nuts such as hazelnuts and walnuts were eaten.

Some of the vegetables we are familiar with today would have been available, including leeks, carrots, peas, field beans, parsnips, beet and the cabbage family. A variety of fruits and berries were eaten, amongst them plums, cherries, sloes, apples, blackberries, raspberries, dewberries, elderberries, hawthorn berries and rowanberries. Honey was used for sweetening and was also fermented to make mead. Hop remains have been found in the Jorvik excavations, showing that beer brewing went on.

As with any town, most of the food would have come from the surrounding countryside. Though the townspeople may have kept a few poultry - and sometimes perhaps a pig - they were generally too busy and had too little room to produce much of their own food. They would have relied mainly on produce from the rich farmlands of the Vale of York. The town would have provided a steady, rich market for the people round about who worked the land and could produce more than they needed for themselves.

http://www.viking.no/e/england/york/life_expectancy_in_jorvik.html

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Average Heights in Northern Europe Average Heights in Northern Europe Estimated from Adult Male SkeletonsEstimated from Adult Male Skeletons

Section Two: describes the Section Two: describes the culture of the Viking peopleculture of the Viking people

► II. Daily LifeII. Daily Life► A. The PeopleA. The People

► B. Viking Warriors were called B. Viking Warriors were called berserkersberserkers► Terms to Learn: EddasTerms to Learn: Eddas

► C. C. ReligionReligion 1. Viking gods variations of Germanic gods1. Viking gods variations of Germanic gods 2. Viking practices sacrifices to bargain with their 2. Viking practices sacrifices to bargain with their

godsgods

3. stories of the gods great deeds called 3. stories of the gods great deeds called “eddas”“eddas” 4. sagas kept Viking traditions in the oral tradition4. sagas kept Viking traditions in the oral tradition

► (a.)(a.) sagas written down after 1100 sagas written down after 1100

► 5. Vikings spoke one of for languages: Danish, 5. Vikings spoke one of for languages: Danish,

Swedish, Norwegian, or Icelandic—all closely related Swedish, Norwegian, or Icelandic—all closely related to Germanic languagesto Germanic languages

► (a.) languages written in runes(a.) languages written in runes

Death of Balder

The Tollund Man is the naturally mummified corpse of a man who lived during the 4th century BC, during the time period characterzsed in Scandinavia as the Pre-Roman Iron Age.[1] He was found in 1950 buried in a peat bog on the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark, which preserved his body. This is a historically important area inhabited by the Germanic peoples. His corpse is one of several well preserved bog bodies from the Pre-Roman Iron Age.

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Offensive WeaponsOffensive Weapons• The main offensive weapons were the spear, sword, and battle-axe.

• They carried weapons not just for battle but also as a symbol of their owners’ class and wealth. Weapons were decorated with inlays, twisted wire and other accessories in silver, copper, and bronze.

• The spear was the common weapon with an iron blade 2m to 3m in length.

•Swords were a sign of high status because they were costly to make. The blades were usually double edged and up to 90cm. Many swords were given names.

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Defensive WeaponsDefensive Weapons• There were circular shields up to one meter across that were carried. The shield may have been leather covered. Around 1000, the kite shaped shield was introduced to the Vikings to provide more protection for the legs.

• It was essential to wear thick padding underneath to absorb the force of blows or arrow strikes. Reindeer hide was used as armor.

•They used long tunics of mail armor reaching below the waist. They were not very protective. It took many hours to produce a shirt, making it very expensive. It’s likely they were worn more by leaders.

•Helmets were probably worn by leaders as well. Horned helmets also took great skill to produce.

An accurate viking helmet left. The mail armor shown right.

A modern myth!!!

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The Sword and IdeologyThe Sword and IdeologyBy Karl N EBy Karl N E

► As early as the Bronze Age, was the sword the As early as the Bronze Age, was the sword the most important hand-weapon for the free most important hand-weapon for the free Germanic warrior. They had an onion shape, and Germanic warrior. They had an onion shape, and polished to shine like gold. In early times the polished to shine like gold. In early times the swords was short, as the Roman swords was short, as the Roman ”gladius”,”gladius”, blade and handle was made from one cast. blade and handle was made from one cast. During the pre-Roman Iron Age, the handles were During the pre-Roman Iron Age, the handles were given the Gaulish ”ardennes”. Later, during the given the Gaulish ”ardennes”. Later, during the Migration-period the swords grew larger and Migration-period the swords grew larger and were made an artwork in itself. Animals were made an artwork in itself. Animals appeared on the grip which in many times were appeared on the grip which in many times were made from gold, magical figures, signs and runes made from gold, magical figures, signs and runes began to spring forth.began to spring forth.

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►The swords of Viking Age were The swords of Viking Age were more efficient, but also longer and more efficient, but also longer and heavier, the longest being around heavier, the longest being around forty inches, but more normal at a forty inches, but more normal at a length of two and one-half feet. length of two and one-half feet. The blade was called The blade was called ”brand””brand” and and the grip the grip ”hjalt”,”hjalt”, connecting the connecting the grip was the upper and lower hjalt, grip was the upper and lower hjalt, protecting the hand from enemy protecting the hand from enemy cuts. cuts.

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► Some of the best blades were imported from Some of the best blades were imported from the the FrankishFrankish region. These swords were region. These swords were often often damasceneddamascened, a technique where iron , a technique where iron and steel layers are repeatedly folded and and steel layers are repeatedly folded and hammered together, producing a hard but hammered together, producing a hard but flexible blade. The grips were provided by flexible blade. The grips were provided by Nordic craftsmen. The best swords were said Nordic craftsmen. The best swords were said to have been made by dwarves. These to have been made by dwarves. These special swords had names, like special swords had names, like Sigurd Sigurd FafnisbaneFafnisbane had a sword named had a sword named GramGram,, the the Gothic royal sword´s name was Gothic royal sword´s name was Tyrfing.Tyrfing. Fafnirs Fafnirs and later and later Olav HaraldssonsOlav Haraldssons swords were both named swords were both named Hrotte.Hrotte. The sword The sword of of OdinOdin was named was named Mimung. Mimung.

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►The swords were often given The swords were often given names of the smith, owner or its names of the smith, owner or its self-name in runes. This could also self-name in runes. This could also hold some sort of hold some sort of magical curse or magical curse or ”mal”.”mal”. Along the swordblade Along the swordblade there was a shallow channel or a there was a shallow channel or a bloodgroovebloodgroove,, in which the sword in which the sword could hold a serpent image that could hold a serpent image that was visible when blood covered was visible when blood covered the blade. At the sheath end there the blade. At the sheath end there was often placed metal holdingwas often placed metal holding runesrunes and there was also often a and there was also often a container holding container holding magical itemsmagical items, , often stones, that protected the often stones, that protected the blade. blade.

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►From early times, the swords were often From early times, the swords were often destroyed, bent or broken in an attempt destroyed, bent or broken in an attempt to to ”kill””kill” the sword, or sacrifice it to the the sword, or sacrifice it to the gods as a spoil of war. At burials, gods as a spoil of war. At burials, swords were often destroyed this way. swords were often destroyed this way. They were laid down in the urne after it They were laid down in the urne after it had been burnt on the funeral pyre with had been burnt on the funeral pyre with its owner. But swords could be powerful its owner. But swords could be powerful even after its owners death. From even after its owners death. From Snorri´s HeimskringlaSnorri´s Heimskringla, there is , there is witness of the importance of the sword, witness of the importance of the sword, and how and how grave-mounds grave-mounds of former of former kings are opened by their successors.kings are opened by their successors.

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► This is the case with This is the case with Olav HaraldssonOlav Haraldsson,, the Christian martyr and murderer of the Christian martyr and murderer of heathens, who takes up the sword from heathens, who takes up the sword from the pagan the pagan Olav Digerbein´sOlav Digerbein´s grave- grave-mound.mound. Olav also bears his name, and both Olav also bears his name, and both the power of the sword and of the name is the power of the sword and of the name is passed down. There was in the Viking Age passed down. There was in the Viking Age and in the early Middle Age, a fear of the and in the early Middle Age, a fear of the living dead within the mounds. Sometimes living dead within the mounds. Sometimes these mounds were opened and the inside these mounds were opened and the inside of the tomb were desecrated, and the of the tomb were desecrated, and the bones scattered. The sword would bones scattered. The sword would disappear in this sort of disappear in this sort of ”grave-robbery”grave-robbery”. ”.

  The Royal mounds of Gamla Uppsal in Sweden from the 5th and the 6th centuries.

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►Swords were sometimes made of Swords were sometimes made of different magical materials. When being different magical materials. When being made, the smith, could pourmade, the smith, could pour bonepowderbonepowder from a dead person or from a dead person or from a powerful animal, making the from a powerful animal, making the sword invincible and connected to the sword invincible and connected to the persons’ strength or the character of persons’ strength or the character of the animal. The maker was considered a the animal. The maker was considered a magician in his craft. It was him who magician in his craft. It was him who controlled the fire and the secrets of controlled the fire and the secrets of iron and steel. It is easy to understand iron and steel. It is easy to understand what power he held, as he was the what power he held, as he was the creator of powerful weapons leading to creator of powerful weapons leading to the death of many great men.the death of many great men.

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► In ways, the sword in Viking Age could In ways, the sword in Viking Age could be looked upon as an be looked upon as an ideologyideology, similar , similar to the emerging to the emerging warrior codexwarrior codex, which , which had a long past in Scandinavian pre-had a long past in Scandinavian pre-history. In the Viking Age a class of history. In the Viking Age a class of warriors distant to civil society becomes warriors distant to civil society becomes clearly visible. This is for example the clearly visible. This is for example the case in case in Swedish Swedish BirkaBirka,, where there was where there was a garrison containing the warriors of the a garrison containing the warriors of the town. This part of the town was town. This part of the town was dedicated to the dedicated to the arts of wararts of war.. In the In the Middle Ages, this warrior-class grew to Middle Ages, this warrior-class grew to be the future aristocracy of be the future aristocracy of knighthoodknighthood,, and the sword remained their closest and the sword remained their closest companioncompanion

location of the former city of Birka near Stockholm

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The EddasThe Eddas•There are also Norse oral religious traditions written as poems that are collectively named as Eddas.

•They are folktales.

•Eddas and Sagas weren’t written on paper. Instead on vellum-sheepskin or calf skin. Vellum is more resistant to rot and preserves much better than paper does. Thank god they used vellum!!

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The SagasThe Sagas•“Saga” is a Norse word meaning tales. These writings provide almost all of the knowledge we have of the Vikings.

•There are about forty sagas that include descriptions of historical events in Iceland and voyages across the North Atlantic from Norway, Greenland and Vinland (Newfoundland). The sagas also have records of family history such as Erik the Red who founded Greenland, and his son Leif Erickson who discovered North America.

•The Sagas were compiled in the 13th and 14th century, and later based on stories that originated as early as 400 and 500 years before that.

•Archaeology is providing that a lot of these stories have a good basis of fact; in fact the Icelandic sagas were used to help find what might be the site of Vinland.

Write your name in Runes!Write your name in Runes!

► http://http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.htmlwww.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html

Runes Through Timeby Nicole Sanderson

The Vikings are often portrayed as illiterate, uncultured barbarians who evinced more interest in plunder than in poetry. In fact, the Vikings left behind a great number of documents in stone, wood and metal, all written in the enigmatic symbols known as runes. They relied on these symbols not only for writing but also to tell fortunes, cast spells, and provide protection.

Early Germanic tribes of northern Europe were first to develop runes, but the Scandinavians soon adopted the symbols for their own use. When the seafaring Vikings traveled to faraway lands, they brought their system of writing with them, leaving runic inscriptions in places as distant as Greenland.

► Early Germanic tribes of northern Europe were Early Germanic tribes of northern Europe were first to develop first to develop runes,runes, but the Scandinavians but the Scandinavians soon adopted the symbols for their own use. soon adopted the symbols for their own use. When the seafaring Vikings traveled to faraway When the seafaring Vikings traveled to faraway lands, they brought their system of writing with lands, they brought their system of writing with them, leaving runic inscriptions in places as them, leaving runic inscriptions in places as distant as Greenland.distant as Greenland.

► Wherever they went, Vikings turned to runes to Wherever they went, Vikings turned to runes to express both the poeticexpress both the poetic ("Listen, ring-bearers, ("Listen, ring-bearers, while I speak/Of the glories in war of Harald, while I speak/Of the glories in war of Harald, most wealthy")most wealthy") and the prosaicand the prosaic ("Rannvieg owns ("Rannvieg owns this box"),this box"), inscribing them on everything from inscribing them on everything from great stone monuments to common great stone monuments to common household household items.items.

Runes used as magic charmsRunes used as magic charms When Vikings accepted Christianity began writing in When Vikings accepted Christianity began writing in

Roman lettersRoman letters

Viking rune characters were also inscribed on thumb-sized stones. They were placed in bags and removed one by one by Viking fortunetellers and magicians to tell the future, heal the sick, banish evil, or bless people, places, and things.

Section Three: discusses Viking Section Three: discusses Viking influences in England, France, Russia and influences in England, France, Russia and

the North Atlanticthe North Atlantic► III. Raiders and AdventurersIII. Raiders and Adventurers

A. By 800, due to population increases, A. By 800, due to population increases, Vikings began to seek their fortunes in other Vikings began to seek their fortunes in other landslands

B. From east Europe to North B. From east Europe to North Americahttp://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?idAmericahttp://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10121=10121

► 1. establish trade routes from the Baltic to the 1. establish trade routes from the Baltic to the Black Sea and on to Byzantium. Water route Black Sea and on to Byzantium. Water route known as Varangian Routeknown as Varangian Route..

► 2. 862 Swedish chief Rurik founded settlement 2. 862 Swedish chief Rurik founded settlement that became Kievan Rus state in Russiathat became Kievan Rus state in Russia

► 3. Norwegian Vikings set up trading towns in 3. Norwegian Vikings set up trading towns in IrelandIreland

► 4. Erik the Red founds a colony on Greenland in 4. Erik the Red founds a colony on Greenland in 986986

► 5. Leif Eriksson lands on northeast coast of North 5. Leif Eriksson lands on northeast coast of North America 1000 A.D. and founds a colony they called America 1000 A.D. and founds a colony they called Vinland.Vinland.

► 6. Europe feared the Vikings6. Europe feared the Vikings

C. The DanesC. The Danes 1. Viking raiders of western and 1. Viking raiders of western and

southern Europesouthern Europe 2. set up settlements in the Danelaw 2. set up settlements in the Danelaw

regon—eventually become known as regon—eventually become known as NormansNormans

3. 954 heir of Alfred the Great forces 3. 954 heir of Alfred the Great forces them to leave.them to leave.► (a.) Ethelred,King of England (a.) Ethelred,King of England

nicknamed the Unready, by his nicknamed the Unready, by his weakness encouraged Danish attacksweakness encouraged Danish attacks

4. 1016 4. 1016 Danish king Canute conquered Danish king Canute conquered EnglandEngland ► (a.) Canute converts to Christianity(a.) Canute converts to Christianity► (b.) In 1035 after Canute dies the Danes lose (b.) In 1035 after Canute dies the Danes lose

control of Englandcontrol of England

King Canute on the Seashore Book of VirtuesLong ago, England was ruled by a king named Canute. Like many leaders and men of power, Canute was surrounded by people who were always praising him. Every time he walked into a room, the flattery began.

"You are the greatest man that ever lived," one would say.

"O king, there can never be another as mighty as you," another would insist.

"Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do," someone would smile.

"Great Canute, you are the monarch of all," another would sing. "Nothing in this world dares to disobey you."

The king was a man of sense, and he grew tired of hearing such foolish speeches.

One day he was walking by the seashore, and his officers and courtiers were with him, praising him as usual. Canute decided to teach them a lesson.

"So you say I am the greatest man in the world?" he asked them.

"O king," they cried, "there never has been anyone as mighty as you, …”

The mortuary chest of Canute the Great (?994-1035). Canute was King of England from 1016 to 1035, King of Denmark from 1018 to 1035, and Norway from 1028 to 1035. As a Danish prince, Canute won the alliance of Danes who had settled in England, and he conquered the island in 1018. When his brother Harold died that year, Canute added the crown of Denmark and repelled an invasion fleet from Sweden and Norway. By 1026, Canute had driven King Olaf the Stout from Norway, and he ruled there as well as in England and Denmark until his death in 1035. This chest containing the bones of Canute and his wife Emma is one of several mortuary receptacles that are atop the choir screen of Winchester Cathedral at London.

(b.) In 1035 after Canute dies the (b.) In 1035 after Canute dies the Danes lose control of EnglandDanes lose control of England

► 5. Danes attack the French in 5. Danes attack the French in 885 led by885 led by RolloRollo

(a.) 911 French king signs treaty (a.) 911 French king signs treaty with Rollowith Rollo

(b.) Danes become Christian and (b.) Danes become Christian and promised loyalty to French kingpromised loyalty to French king

(c.) Region of Danish settlement (c.) Region of Danish settlement under Norselaw becomes known as under Norselaw becomes known as Normandy. The Danes living on Normandy. The Danes living on the coast of France become known the coast of France become known as Normansas Normans

Lion of Rollo, Ruler of Normandy

Photo of Rollo statue depicted among the 6 dukes of Normandy in the town square of Falaise

Rollo's grave at the cathedral of Rouen

Rouen Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1876 to 1880.*

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Pick one of the following essay Pick one of the following essay questions to prepare for the chapter 20 questions to prepare for the chapter 20

test.test.► 1. How do you think life in the United 1. How do you think life in the United

States might be different today if the States might be different today if the Vikings had established colonies where Vikings had established colonies where they landed in North America before they landed in North America before the year 1000?the year 1000?

► 2. What effect did Vikings have on the 2. What effect did Vikings have on the development of Europe during the development of Europe during the Middle Ages?Middle Ages?

► 3. Write an essay explaining the effect 3. Write an essay explaining the effect Christianity had on Viking Life? Christianity had on Viking Life?