VikingsVikings

• A Viking is one of the Norse (Scandinavian) explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late eighth to the early eleventh century. These Norsemen used their famed longships to travel as far east as Constantinople and the Volga River in Russia, and as far west as Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. This period of Viking expansion is known as the Viking Age, and forms a major part of the medieval history of Scandinavia, the British Isles and Europe in general.

Vikings in PolandVikings in Poland• According to the Norse sagas (particularly the According to the Norse sagas (particularly the Jómsvíkinga Jómsvíkinga

sagasaga, , King Olaf Tryggvasson’s SagaKing Olaf Tryggvasson’s Saga, and stories found in , and stories found in the Flatey Book), their stronghold Jomsborg was located the Flatey Book), their stronghold Jomsborg was located on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea, but the location on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea, but the location is disputed by modern historians and archeologists. is disputed by modern historians and archeologists. Nordisk familjebokNordisk familjebok asserts it to be located on the eastern asserts it to be located on the eastern side of the island of Wollin, on the hill Silberberg north side of the island of Wollin, on the hill Silberberg north of the town Wollinof the town Wollin. . The vikings were calling Poles (in the The vikings were calling Poles (in the 10th century a strong strong slavic tribe which was 10th century a strong strong slavic tribe which was conquering surrounding slavic tribes) "Vinds". Altough conquering surrounding slavic tribes) "Vinds". Altough "Vinds"/"Vends" was the word which was describing all the "Vinds"/"Vends" was the word which was describing all the western Slavs in the area of Baltic Sea.western Slavs in the area of Baltic Sea.The territory occupied by the western Slavs was a The territory occupied by the western Slavs was a Vindland. Its ruler, the polish prince Mieszko I of the Vindland. Its ruler, the polish prince Mieszko I of the piast dynasty was known as Burizleif king of the Vindland.piast dynasty was known as Burizleif king of the Vindland.

Ships

• There were two distinct classes of Viking ships: the There were two distinct classes of Viking ships: the longship(sometimes erroneously called "drakkar", a corruption of longship(sometimes erroneously called "drakkar", a corruption of "dragon" in Norse) and the knarr. The longship, intended for warfare "dragon" in Norse) and the knarr. The longship, intended for warfare and exploration, was designed for speed and agility, and were equipped and exploration, was designed for speed and agility, and were equipped with oars to complement the sail as well as making it able to navigate with oars to complement the sail as well as making it able to navigate independently of the wind. The longship had a long and narrow hull, as independently of the wind. The longship had a long and narrow hull, as well as a shallow draft, in order to facilitate landings and troop well as a shallow draft, in order to facilitate landings and troop deployments in shallow water. The knarr was a dedicated merchant deployments in shallow water. The knarr was a dedicated merchant vessel designed to carry cargo. It was designed with a broader hull, vessel designed to carry cargo. It was designed with a broader hull, deeper draft and limited number of oars (used primarily to maneuver in deeper draft and limited number of oars (used primarily to maneuver in harbors and similar situations). One Viking innovation was the beitass, harbors and similar situations). One Viking innovation was the beitass, a spar mounted to the sail that allowed their ships to sail effectively a spar mounted to the sail that allowed their ships to sail effectively against the wind.against the wind.[[

• Longships were used extensively by the Leidang, the Scandinavian Longships were used extensively by the Leidang, the Scandinavian defense fleets. The term "Viking ships" has entered common usage, defense fleets. The term "Viking ships" has entered common usage, however, possibly because of its romantic associations (discussed however, possibly because of its romantic associations (discussed below).below).

• In Roskilde are the well-preserved remains of five ships, excavated In Roskilde are the well-preserved remains of five ships, excavated from nearby Roskilde Fjord in the late 1960s. The ships were scuttled from nearby Roskilde Fjord in the late 1960s. The ships were scuttled there in the 11th century to block a navigation channel, thus protecting there in the 11th century to block a navigation channel, thus protecting the city, which was then the Danish capital, from seaborne assault. the city, which was then the Danish capital, from seaborne assault. These five ships represent the two distinct classes of Viking ships, the These five ships represent the two distinct classes of Viking ships, the longship and the knarr. The remains of these ships can be found on longship and the knarr. The remains of these ships can be found on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.display at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde.

• Longships are not to be confused with later-period longboats. It was Longships are not to be confused with later-period longboats. It was common for Viking ships to tow or carry a smaller boat to transfer common for Viking ships to tow or carry a smaller boat to transfer crews and cargo from the ship to shore, however.crews and cargo from the ship to shore, however.

Weapons and warfare

• Our knowledge about arms and armor of the Viking age is based on Our knowledge about arms and armor of the Viking age is based on relatively sparse archaeological finds, pictorial representation, and to relatively sparse archaeological finds, pictorial representation, and to some extent on the accounts in the Norse sagas and Norse laws recorded some extent on the accounts in the Norse sagas and Norse laws recorded in the 13th century.in the 13th century.

• According to custom, all free Norse men were required to own weapons, According to custom, all free Norse men were required to own weapons, as well as permitted to carry them at all times. These arms were also as well as permitted to carry them at all times. These arms were also indicative of a Viking's social status: a wealthy Viking would have a indicative of a Viking's social status: a wealthy Viking would have a complete ensemble of a helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and sword. A complete ensemble of a helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and sword. A typical bóndi (freeman) was more likely to fight with a spear and shield, typical bóndi (freeman) was more likely to fight with a spear and shield, and most also carried a seax as a utility knife and side-arm. Bows were and most also carried a seax as a utility knife and side-arm. Bows were used in the opening stages of land battles, and at sea, but tended to be used in the opening stages of land battles, and at sea, but tended to be considered less "honorable" than a hand weapon. Vikings were relatively considered less "honorable" than a hand weapon. Vikings were relatively unique for the time in their use of axes as a main battle weapon. The unique for the time in their use of axes as a main battle weapon. The Húscarls, the elite guard of King Cnut (and later King Harold II) were Húscarls, the elite guard of King Cnut (and later King Harold II) were armed with two-handed axes which could split shields or metal helmets armed with two-handed axes which could split shields or metal helmets with ease.with ease.

• Led by the operas of German composer Richard Led by the operas of German composer Richard and the Romanticist Viking Revival inspired and the Romanticist Viking Revival inspired many creative works.many creative works.

• These included novels directly based on historical These included novels directly based on historical events, such as Frans Gunnar Bengtsson's events, such as Frans Gunnar Bengtsson's The The Long ShipsLong Ships (which was also released as a 1963 (which was also released as a 1963 film), and historical fantasies such as the film film), and historical fantasies such as the film The The VikingsVikings, Michael Crichton's , Michael Crichton's Eaters of the DeadEaters of the Dead (movie version called (movie version called The 13th WarriorThe 13th Warrior) and the ) and the comedy film comedy film Erik the VikingErik the Viking. Vikings appear. Vikings appear in in several books by the Danish American writer several books by the Danish American writer Poul Anderson.Poul Anderson.

• The genre of Viking metal shows persisting The genre of Viking metal shows persisting modern influence of the Viking myths. It was a modern influence of the Viking myths. It was a popular sub-genre of heavy metal music, popular sub-genre of heavy metal music, originating in the early 1990s as an off-shoot of originating in the early 1990s as an off-shoot of the black metal sub-genre.the black metal sub-genre.

• This style is notable for its lyrical and theatrical This style is notable for its lyrical and theatrical emphasis on Norse mythology as well as Viking emphasis on Norse mythology as well as Viking lifestyles and beliefs. Popular bands that lifestyles and beliefs. Popular bands that contribute to this genre include Turisas, Amon contribute to this genre include Turisas, Amon Amarh, Einherjer, Valhalla, Týr, Ensiferum, Amarh, Einherjer, Valhalla, Týr, Ensiferum, Falkenbach, and Enslaved.Falkenbach, and Enslaved.

A giant Viking welcomes visitors to the town of Dannevirke in New Zealand, founded by 19th Century Scandinavian settlers.