Medieval History The Vikings

Where did the Vikings come from? Celts Romans Saxons Vikings Normans Tudors Victorians WW ll 500 BC AD 43 450 793 1066 1485 1837 1939

Viking Explorers Toward the end of the 8th century CE, Viking seafarers from what we now call Norway (A), Denmark (B), and Sweden (C) embarked on a series of daring voyages for trade, colonization, and sometimes even plunder. Over the next 250 years, they planted settlements in Europe — from the British Isles (D) and France (E) to Italy (F) and Russia (G). Vikings from Norway, in particular, became the first Europeans, ever, to establish a passage across the Atlantic to North America. They did it in stages, setting up bases, as they went, in the Shetland Islands (H), Faroe Islands (I), Iceland (J), Greenland (K), and — for just a few years — in the place they called Vinland (L).

Key Terms berserker Warrior gangs that attached themselves to courts as bodyguards and shock troops draught The depth of water the longships needed to float fjord Inlet of the sea saga A long poem that tells of a hero and his adventures Valhalla The hall of the warriors in heaven Valkyrie Warrior goddesses

Viking Beliefs Gods & Goddesses Beliefs and Stories Thor the life force, lightning, strength, thunder & thunder storms Freya fertility, prophecy, sex, sexuality (feminine), war, wealth & weather Odin god of death, knowledge, poetry, rune magic, travel, war, warriors, & wisdom

Religion and Rituals of the Vikings Gods: The Vikings believed in many gods. They thought these gods helped their crops to grow and helped them in battle. There were two families of gods: Important Asar gods Odin (also called Woden) – chief of gods, god of battle who ruled Asgard, home of the gods. He is shown as a mysterious one-eyed god Tyr – god of war Balder – Odin’s son, god of youth, beauty and goodness Loki – a troublemaker (Balder and Loki were not friends) Important Vanir gods Mimir – wisest of the Asar, sent as a hostage to the Vanir but was killed Niord – ruler of wind and god of seafaring Frey – son of Niord, god of fertility who gave good crops and ensured the survival of the race Freyja – the daughter who was always attended by cats

Who are these days of the week named after? Tuesday Tyr’s day Named after Tyr, god of war Wednesday Woden’s Day Named after Woden (Odin), chief of gods Thursday Thor’s day Named after Thor, god of thunder Friday Frey’s day Named after Frey, god of fertility

Festivals The Vikings made sacrifices to the gods, especially during the three main festivals: Vertarblot Mid-October, when sacrifices were made to ensure a good Winter Jolablot or Midsvetrarblot Mid-January when sacrifices were made to ensure good crops Sacrifices were always made to Frey Sigrblot In April when sacrifices were made for victories at war At these festivals people ate horsemeat and drank bowls of wine. Sometimes animals given to the gods were not killed, but were dedicated to the god and the owner could still use the animal.

Viking Contact with other Peoples Trade Constantinople (Istanbul), Russia, Greenland, Baltic area Traded in silk, spices, slaves, amber, weapons, glass Founded trading cities in Scandinavia, Ireland and England (York) Trade was peaceful Raids France, England and elsewhere Landed, raided, destroyed and looted along the coastlines Colonisation Established settlements in Iceland and Greenland Discovered North America (Vinland) Established some peaceful settlements or colonies in England, France and Finland.