The Vikings

Who were the Vikings?

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'.

DENMARK NORWAY SWEDEN

Who were the Vikings?

The Viking era lasted from AD 700 to 1100. During this time many Vikings left Scandinavia and travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland.

The following map shows how the Vikings came to the British Isles. Stick this map in your workbook.

Viking attacks

Southern England had been settled by Anglo-Saxons. In AD 787 Vikings attacked Southern England and this marked the start of the fierce struggle between the English and the Vikings.

Viking attacks

In 793 Vikings attacked a Christian monastery at Lindisfarne in Northumbria. Christian monasteries in Britain were easy to attack, because the monks in the monasteries had no weapons. Churches and monasteries kept valuable treasures, such as gold, jewels and books. There were food, drink, cattle, clothes and tools too - tempting for greedy Vikings.

Where did the Vikings settle?

Vikings settled in northern Scotland and eastern England. For 500 years, from about AD 900, Vikings ruled the north of Scotland and surrounding islands off the west coast of Scotland.

How far did the Vikings roam?

Norwegian Vikings sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean to Iceland and Greenland. Danish Vikings went to France and founded Normandy ('Land of the North-men'). Danish Vikings also sailed south around Spain, and into the Mediterranean Sea. Swedish Vikings roamed along rivers into Russia.Fill in your map of Europe with the routes taken

by the Vikings.

Homework Task

Using source 2 on page 4 and 5 of your textbook, design a timelineto show the key events of the Viking era from AD 775 to AD 1066.Be as creative as you can. You can either draw the timeline by hand or use a computer and stick it in your workbook.