Generally Believed To Be From The Late 8th Century Until 1066 C E. It ...

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The word 'Viking' comes from Old Norse, the language that was spoken in Scandinavian countries throughout the Viking Age - generally believed to be from the late 8th century until 1066 C E. It means 'pirate raid'. But while some Vikings were fierce warriors, many were farmers, traders and merchants who travelled overseas, either to exchange goods or search for new places to settle.

The Vikings were skilled craftsmen who built magnificent wooden ships known as longboats. They sailed (and rowed when there was a lack of wind) from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden to the UK, mainland Europe, Iceland and Greenland, and even across the Atlantic to North America - 500 years before explorer Christopher Columbus. This is quite remarkable, considering they didn't have maps or charts to help with navigation. Instead, it's thought that they paid attention to the position of the sun and stars, or estimated how far they were from land by the color of the sea and the birds flying overhead.

As well as expert boat builders, Vikings were talented carpenters, blacksmiths and jewellers, who made swords, spears and axes to use in battles, and tools to farm their land. They also spun wool and flax into cloth to make clothes. Rings, made from silver and bronze, were worn by both men and women, and not only on their fingers. Surprisingly, for the time in history, and compared with other cultures, Viking women were given a notable amount of freedom, which allowed some of them to become rich and powerful. While men were away trading or raiding, women were in charge at home, taking care their farms and families. They could own property, request a divorce and even reclaim a dowry (property or money brought by a bride to her husband) if their marriage ended. Only a tiny percentage, known as shieldmaidens, were involved in raiding or fighting. Children were expected to help with daily chores. From the age of about five, girls and boys looked after farm animals, gathered firewood and cooked. They had a few toys, such as small wooden ships and dolls, and would listen to sagas and songs in the evening.

For about 270 years, the Vikings travelled much of the globe, and ships left Scandinavia for destinations as far afield as Russia and Asia, as well as North America. But their explorations, and certainly the violent ravaging and conflicts, all came to a somewhat abrupt and gory end in 1066, when - at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, in the East Riding of Yorkshire - the English army successfully repelled the Viking invaders. A defeated army returned home, and Viking dominance diminished.

Source: Teen Breathe, Issue 32, February 2022

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