The Viking Age
One day in the year 789 A.D., an official of the King of Essex went ashore
to welcome three ships that came along their shore. Thinking that the new arrivals
were seafaring traders, he brought with him a small number of men, not knowing
that he was going to be slain. The culprits were Scandinavian warriors who,
from then on, began a slew of raid and attack that spread through the entire
European nation. This signaled the beginning of the Viking Age, which lasted
for almost 300 years from 789 to 1066 A.D.
The Vikings
Viking warriors are stereotyped as tall, blonde, dirty savages who pillaged,
slain and raided villages and communities. They are currently pictured as huge
barbarians with horned helmets carrying weapons. However, the Vikings are actually
pirates, raiders, tradesmen and seafarers of Scandinavian origin who proceeded
to travel through different parts of Europe when they left their homeland.
Although they did raid and pillage towns and villages during the Viking Age,
they also contributed to the exploration of new land, as well as the development
of towns and villages with their trading skills. These Scandinavian warriors
possessed the strength, as well as supreme navigational skills that made it
easier for them to sail from one coast to another.
They settled and explored the rest of Europe and expanded their knowledge and
influence on the region. They brought with them Viking ships, during that time,
was relatively superior to the ships made and used by common people.
The Viking Occupations
From the first series of attacks on the beginning of the Viking Age, they proceeded
through the rest of the British Islands. After the Lindisfarne Viking raid in
793 A.D, the Viking warriors continued to sail and explore lands through the
rest of England. The Vikings went from the North through the West shored of
England and England where some of them settled as farmers.
When they went to Jarrow, which is a small town in River Town, England the
people were resistant and were able to keep control of their town. The Vikings
had no choice then but to move on to other lands.
From England, they went to Ireland where the town of Dublin was founded. The
Scandinavian warriors settled and spread their influence over the locals with
their arts and crafts, as well as the methods of trading.
The Viking proceeded to explore the rest of Europe including Greenland, Faroe
Islands, Shetland Islands, Labrador, Normandy, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Denmark
and Russia.
Original Authors:
Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: None
Updated On: 05/12/2006
