The Vikings

The VikingsWho were they?

Where did they come from?

Who were they ?In Norse the word Viking means raider or bay.Vikings came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.Vikings travelled all over the world to raid and trade.

When did Vikings live?Vikings lived a thousand years ago.The first Viking raid took place on Lindisfarne 793AD.For 300 years from the 8th to the 11th century Vikings took the world by storm.

Viking WarriorsVikings had iron helmets with a nose guard.They had chain mail to protect them.They had a shield.For weapons they had an axe and a sword.

Viking HousesThey lived in long houses.The houses had walls made of woven wooden canes.There were no windows and it was often very smoky inside.

Viking Long shipsThey built long ships.They were long and shallow.They made it move with oars or a sail.These ships were feared by everyone.

Viking RaidsThey raided Monasteries for gold, silver and special books.They raided for slaves.They raided to get rich.They raided for land.

TradingThe Vikings travelled in their long ships (knorrs) to buy and sell goods.They sold timber, iron, furs and skins.They traded for wheat, silver, cloth, wine, salt spices and silks.

SettlementsViking lands were very crowded.They settled in areas with good farming land.Vikings learned to fit in to other countries around the world.