Vikings Who were the Vikings? The Vikings travelled from Scandinavia to Britain, mostly settling in an area called Danelaw (Northeast England). Some Norse Vikings (Norwegian) sailed to Scotland settling in the north, and on the Shetland and Orkney Islands. Some Vikings also settled on the Isle of Man, often raiding Wales, but few made homes there. In Ireland, the Vikings founded the city of Dublin. Most Viking Where did the Vikings settle? countries were ruled by Kings, although Earls and chieftains were also powerful; some even had their own armies and warships. Most farmers and craftsmen were ordinary freemen. There were however, many slaves. Where is Danelaw? Everything to the east of London and Chester belonged to the Vikings. This was the area called Danelaw. Everything south belonged to the Saxons. There were three main areas within this area where Vikings lived - Northumbria (which included modern-day Yorkshire), East Anglia, and the Five Boroughs (towns) of Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Stamford and Lincoln. Viking families came to settle on these lands because good farmland was scarce in their own countries. They were looking for a better life. The city of York or Jorvik (pronounced 'your-vick') was the most important city in the Danelaw area as over 10,000 people lived there and it was an important place to trade goods. Did the Vikings name our towns and cities? Many towns and cities in Britain which were founded by the Vikings can still be spotted today by their name. Places that end in by like Derby, Rugby and Grimsby mark the earliest Viking settlements. by meant village or farm. The village of Derby or Djúra-bý in Viking can be translated to Djúra (deer) and bý (village), deer village. Some historians say this was because the area had lots of deer within it. Places that end in -thorpe (meaning farms), like Scunthorpe and Grimthorpe were also Viking towns.
Viking jobs Most Vikings lived on farms using iron tools, such as sickles and hoes. Everything had to be done by hand, so life was tough. They grew oats, barley and wheat, and ground the grain to make flour, porridge and ale. The Vikings grew vegetables such as onions, beans and cabbages. Like the Saxons, the Viking s farm animals included pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, geese and chickens. Viking bowls and plates Did you know that the Vikings also had lathes which they used to turn wood? This machine enabled them to cut and shape the wood to how they wanted it. Other Vikings were craft workers, making things which people needed or to trade for other goods. Leatherworkers and woodworkers made things like shoes, belts, cups and plates. Jewellers made brooches and rings from precious metals. Blacksmiths heated iron until it was red hot, then hammered and twisted it into knives, swords and tools. Like the Saxons, the potters baked clay pots in an oven heated by wood fires. The Vikings took their goods to market to sell or trade. People could buy anything from wolf-skins to apples. Some Viking traders sailed the seas in longboats to buy silver, spices, furs and silk to either sell on, or bring back home. Viking brooch Viking Houses Viking House Viking houses were built of wood, stone or blocks of turf - depending on local materials. The houses were long boxshapes with sloping thatched or turf roofs. Like the Saxons, in some houses, the walls were made of wattle (woven sticks,) and daub (mud). However, the floor of a Viking house was often dug below ground-level; some historians think this helped keep out draughts. Most houses had just one room for a family to share. Rich people's farmhouses might have a small entrance hall, a large main room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a store room. In a Viking town, houses were crowded close together along narrow streets. There were no bathrooms in Viking homes. Most people probably washed in a wooden bucket, or at the nearest stream. Instead of toilets, people used cess-pits (a hole in the ground) which were usually behind some sort of fence.
Viking Longhouse Many Viking families lived together in the longhouse. It would have been a very crowded and smelly place with both people and animals living inside. Longhouses were usually made of wood with stone footings as a base. The roof was usually made from turf, which could be replaced periodically. The roof also had a hole, through which smoke from the central fire, which was used for cooking and as a source of heat, Viking Longhouse could escape. The main living area of the longhouse was around the fire. Around the outside of the room were benches, covered in animal fur or skin, to provide extra warmth and comfort. The only light came from the door, roof opening and the fire. The poorest families shared their living quarters with the family s animals. Most families had access to at least a small yard, where animals and non-perishable belongings could be kept. The majority of longhouses were grouped together, probably to provide protection in an uncertain and often violent age. Viking Life Jobs such as collecting wood for the fire, weaving cloth and baking bread took up a lot of time. Vikings did not have much furniture - perhaps a wooden table and benches for sitting on and sleeping on. Babies were given little hammer charms, shaped like the god Thor s hammer, to protect them from evil spirits and sickness. Thor hammer A boy would usually take his father's name - so Eric, son of Karl, became charm Eric Karlsson. Girls often took the same name as their mother or grandmother. Viking Schools The Vikings had no schools, instead using Sagas or long stories to teach their children. These Sagas described the adventures of great Viking warriors or gods and were an important way to teach History, Geography and Navigation. The Vikings often decorated buildings with pictures from famous sagas. Sigurd is the hero of Norse stories and in this stone carving, he is using his magic sword.
Viking Money The most powerful Viking was the king. Everyone looked up to him but being a king cost a lot of money. They needed to make sure their kingdom was safe and their followers were still loyal to them. Next came nobles or wealthy Vikings known as jarls who were rich traders or landowners. Then there were the everyday people who farmed and worked. They were known as karls. The poorest people and the lowest in Viking hierarchy were thralls (slaves) who did the dirtiest and hardest jobs. If they earnt enough money, they could buy their freedom. Silver coins belonging to Eric Bloodaxe Viking King of Jorvik (York) ins. It has Eric Rex written on it, which means King Eric in Latin. Viking Longboats The Viking ships were strong, lightweight and beautifully shaped to skim quickly through the water. The warships and raiding ships were designed to come right up on the beach so that men could jump out and start fighting straight away. Viking ships were built of wood and made waterproof using tar from pine trees. The square sails were made of woven wool and were often brightly Viking Longboat coloured. When the wind was wrong for sailing, they were rowed by teams of oarsmen. Viking boats have several distinctive features: The Prow front of the ship carved with a dragon like figure The Stern back of the ship with a carving similar to the one on the front The Prow The Stern What makes the Longboat special? The keel Viking longboats or longships as they are also known, were among the first ever ships to have a keel. The keel is extremely important as it provides the ship with support in rough weather. The keel also enabled the ships to travel smoothly and quickly across the sea. A large oar at the stern (rudder) steered the ship.
Longboats were rich and expensive to make and crew so only the richest Vikings had them. The smallest longboat had 26 oars but some had as many as 70 oars! The Longboats or Longships, were also called Dragon boats by some as they looked like dragons. Did you know that the Vikings used the moon and the stars to navigate their way across the seas? Viking Toys and Pastimes Viking men enjoyed swimming, wrestling and horse racing. Just like today, in winter, people skated on frozen rivers, and used skis over the snow. A favourite board game was hnefatafl ('king's table') where players moved pieces around a board, like in draughts or chess today. Most children's toys were home-made and whistles were normally made from the leg bones of geese. Viking children had wooden dolls, played football, and sailed model boats. Information sourced from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/vikings_at_home/