Vikings used the

runic alphabet

Please note: Some letters are the same including: K and C J and Y W and V

Your task

1. What are runes? And what are they used for?2. Copy the runic alphabet into your SOSE book.

Runic phrases!

Your TaskHave a go at translating these runic phrases. Write the runic phrase and the English translation in your SOSE book!

Then have a go at coming up with some of your own. Make sure that they are about the Vikings.

Viking Gods, Goddesses and Burial

CustomsViking myths are full of tales of giants, and of gods who lived in a place called Asgard. Read pages 66 and 67 of History Alive 8 to help you understand more about the Viking gods and goddesses.

Your task:1. Where did the Viking gods live?

2. Which days of the week are linked to Viking mythology and what do they mean?

3. Make a table in your book listing the Viking gods and goddesses and their different responsibilities.

4. Which of the gods would you associate with: a) thunderstorms b) farming c) poetry

d) a hammer called Mjollnir e) tricks to get gods into trouble f) a chariot pulled by cats g) magic tricks and runes

h) Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse i) love

5. How did the Viking burial practices change once they converted to Christianity?

6. Why did Vikings sometimes choose to cremate their dead instead of bury them?

Viking place names The Vikings invaded and settled in many parts of northern Europe including England and Scotland.

Use the Heinemann Atlas to help you list as many towns and cities in England and Scotland that were named by the Vikings. Look for places with ‘ness’, ‘borough’, ‘burgh’, ‘holme’, ‘thorpe’, or‘wick’ in the name. List as many places as you can in your SOSE book.