The Viking History

Travel back in time to discover the Viking history.

What Is a Viking?

The term Viking has its origin in Old Norse, where it derives from "vik" (bay or creek) to form "vikingr" (pirate).

From A.D. 800-1100, a vast amount of Scandinavians emigrated to discover new opportunities abroad. They were known as Vikings or Northmen, these bold seafarers initially earned notoriety through raids on British monasteries. Over the following three centuries, they forged a reputation as raiders, traders, settlers, and pirates, leaving an indelible imprint on much of Britain, Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. They passed on a tradition of revolutionary technology, productive trading, and a complex network of commerce that left a lasting legacy on the cultures of the regions they explored.

Who Were The Vikings?

Contrary to popular belief, the term “Viking” appears to have not been tied to any notion of racial commonality or nationalism. The most renowned Vikings hailed from Scandinavia, although they also included Finns, Estonians, and Saami vikings. All of them shared a common trait: they were foreign to the European lands they pillaged and were yet to be “civilized”, and above all, were not Christians. Their common mindset and religious traditions helped to shape the Viking culture. Their beliefs in courage, strength, and the celebration of death created a powerful legacy that lives on today.

The Vikings were renowned for their boat-building and seafaring skills. The central spines, known as 'keels', along the bottom of their vessels, which could measure between 16 and 37m in length, enabled them to be steered easily. Additionally, the 'longboats' were designed to ride high in the water, making them ideal for landing on beaches.

Vikings set out from their homeland for a variety of reasons; population increase being one, and wealth acquisition another. In the 8th century AD, Europe was becoming increasingly affluent, giving rise to trading hubs like Dorestad, Quentovic, Southampton which was known as Hamwic, London, Ipswich, and York. Scandinavian furs, highly valued, weren't the only benefit the Vikings reaped from trading with the Europeans; they also acquired knowledge of new sailing techniques and the inner conflicts occurring between European nations. This eventually inspired their forefathers—pirates who used to pillage vessels in the Baltic Sea—to further their searches for riches to the North Sea and beyond. This newfound knowledge helped the Vikings to perfect their seafaring and build a trading network that spanned from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. They made great use of their improved navigational capabilities, traveling to unknown lands in search of wealth and fame. With their skills and resources, the Vikings soon became powerful traders, influencing the Western European market as well as their own.

How Did The Vikings Trade?

In the 790s, Viking traders set off to explore new markets & opportunities abroad. Many ventured west to Newfoundland, while others journeyed east to the Volga River and beyond to Constantinople. Norwegians & Danes explored the West, trading furs, amber, iron & tusks for the goods they needed. Swedes went East, engaging in commerce & occasionally trafficking slaves.

Western Trade

Throughout the 9th and 10th centuries, Nordic traders were highly active throughout Europe's coastal regions. The widespread fear of the Norsemen is evidenced by churches praying for protection from their raids. Vikings were willing to trade or raid depending on the strength of the local defences; initially, goods were exchanged directly, but with time they acquired large amounts of silver coins and Arabian currency, which facilitated trading.

Vikings set up homes and commercial hubs in Dublin and York, England. These locales were not only favoured by world traders, but also saw many Viking artisans settle. Their operations created cups, dishes, glass beads, pottery, cups, bone and horn combs, leather items, jewellery, and cloths. Additionally, blacksmiths and armour crafters crafted swords, battle axes, chainmail and protection.

During the Viking Era, Norse traders voyaged the coasts of Europe, founding new settlements in a variety of places. They conquered and colonized Normandy in France and areas of southern Italy. Additionally, they occupied the Atlantic islands such as the Orkneys, Shetland, Hebrides, Scilly and Isle of Man. Over time, these Norsemen married and settled into these areas permanently.

Eastern Trade

Vikings' Baltic trade dated back to antiquity. In the 8th century., they ventured further, trading with Russia and journeying to the Black and Caspian Seas. Mostly Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians, they used the Dnieper and Volga Rivers to access the new lands, birthing settlements like Novgorod and Kiev. They encountered the Volga Bulgars, who aided them in managing trade in Bulgar.

During the Viking Age, the acquisition and selling of slaves was a highly lucrative business. Raids on settlements and battles with other tribes yielded captives from throughout Europe and beyond, including Irish, British, Franks, Slavs and many others. These people were then sold in slave markets in Constantinople and Baghdad, enabling Viking traders to reap great profits.

Vikings formed ties to Constantinople, eventually serving as Byzantine emperor's elite guard. This allowed merchants to access goods from Baghdad, Persia, and the Far East such as timber, furs, iron, amber, and soapstone. In return, they got silver, coins, fabrics, spices, silk, fruit, wine, and more from the south. By the end of the Viking Age, their trading network spanned much of the known world.

What Was The Viking Religion?

The original religion of the Vikings, the pagan and polytheistic Old Norse faith, dates back to 500 BCE in present-day Denmark. As Christianity entered Scandinavia in the 8th century CE, the followers of the older religion started to decrease, yet it remained a part of Viking traditions.

The Norse religion, with its gods of warfare and death such as Thor and Odin, was frequently the driving force behind the violence and strife perpetuated by the Vikings.

The Norse held that their deities had an integral role in sustaining the universe. Odin, known as the Allfather and the source of life, was seen as the most noteworthy of these divine entities. He was deemed the driving force that made the world a place of enchantment, joy, wisdom, and understanding.

The Norse worshipped several deities, including Thor - god of thunder - and Loki, an unpredictable being with the power of transformation into different creatures.

Our days of the week were christened after The Norse gods except for Saturday.

What Language Did The Vikings Speak?

Old Norse was the language spoken by the Vikings and was commonly used in Scandinavia and the Nordic regions they travelled to. As they settled in other parts of the world, the Vikings also adopted different languages, including Anglo-Saxon and Icelandic.

The Norse language is still utilized today. Through exposure to Icelanders, a contemporary interpretation of this ancient language can be experienced. As it is the source of the majority of Scandinavian languages and even English, many words routinely used today originated from the Norse language.

Though Old Norse was the primary Viking language, it's worth noting that the Norsemen spanned a variety of European locales, thus their spoken language often reflected the regional dialect of their current residence.

The Viking era was long-lasting and included numerous raids and invasions in different regions. Evidence suggests that Proto Norse, with its characteristic dialects, was the predominant language during this time.

As time progressed, Old Norse garnered a large following due to its North Germanic roots, with Proto-Norse being its predecessor. Additionally, Old Norse had several dialects, with the most famous being the first three in particular.

Many origins of current words trace back to the Viking Era, and likely go unrecognized. This illustrates the strong influence Viking history has had on modern societies, even if unknowingly.

Here is a list of 9 common English words used today.

What Written Language Was Used By Vikings?

Futhark, the written Viking language, is distinguished by its runic alphabet and consists of horizontal and vertical lines that, when put together, form a meaningful whole. This written language was strongly related to the spoken one in the Viking culture.

Futhark is an ancient language used by Vikings for scripture-writing, poetry creation, and memorials. Despite its obscurity, its runic alphabets have been adopted as tattoo art over the centuries. 

(Click the link to view our various handmade Viking Runes )

Where Did Vikings Establish Settlements?

Viking armies ravaged Europe in the ninth century, with invasions such as the sack of Nantes (in 842) and attacks as far inland as Paris, Limoges, Orleans, Tours and Nimes. Working with Arab forces, they also succeeded in sacking Seville in 844, and Pisa eight years later. In 911, a Viking chief called Rollo was granted Rouen by the West Frankish king; in exchange, Rollo promised to prevent other Vikings from passing through his newly-acquired territory. This region of northern France is now commonly known as Normandy, or "land of the Northmen".

In the 9th century, Norwegians set out to colonize Iceland, an unpopulated North Atlantic island. By the 10th century, famous Erik the Red and other Vikings had voyaged even further westward, to Greenland. Later histories suggest that some of these settlers, led by Erik the red own son, Leif Eriksson, may have been the 1st Europeans to explore North America. They called their newfound land Vinland (or Wine-land) and built a short-lived settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in modern-day Newfoundland. Afterward, there's not much evidence of their presence in the New World, and they didn't form lasting settlements.

 Did Vikings Wear Helmets?

The notion that Viking helmets had horns stems from 19th century operatic garb. In reality, horns on helmets were impractical when fighting. Perhaps they were used ceremonially before Viking times. The spangenhelm, created by riveting iron pieces together, was the most common form of actual helmet.

What Kind of Armor Did Vikings Use in Combat?

Information about Viking age arms and armour is sourced from archaeological discoveries, imagery, and in part from Norse sagas and laws composed in the 13th century. According to Norse tradition, all free males held the obligation of arming themselves and were given the freedom to carry them anywhere. Arms depicted a Viking's social ranking; someone who was affluent would have a full set of armour, including a helmet, shield, mail shirt, and sword.

A bóndi (freeman) traditionally wielded a spear & shield in combat, often supplemented by a seax utility knife. Archers were employed for initial military engagements, but they lacked the 'honored' status of more direct weaponry. Norse warriors were particularly known for their ability to utilize axes to great effect: King Cnut's Húscarls could cleave shields & helmets using their two-handed weapons.

Many in modern culture associate Viking warriors with wild fury and battle, which is reflected in berserkergang and berserker. Historians propose that shock troops may have purposely deployed this technique. Alcohol consumption and use of solanaceous plants like Henbane may have induced the berserk state, as theorized by Karsten Fatur, or it is possible that Amanita muscaria had psychoactive properties, an idea proposed in the late 1700s by theologian Samuel Ødman and later by the botanist F.C. Schübeler.

Following raids and fierce skirmishes, the Vikings would convene to honor their fallen comrades and commemorate their successes. They would use various drinking horns for the mead.

How Did The Viking Age End?

The events of 1066 in England brought the Viking Age to a close. By then, the Scandinavian realms had all embraced Christianity, with Viking culture gradually assimilating into the European Christian milieu. The legacy of the Vikings still lingers, as evidenced by the Scandinavian origins of certain words and place-names in their former territories, including northern England, Scotland and Russia. In Iceland, the Vikings bequeathed a wealth of literature, the Icelandic sagas, that commemorate the most triumphant moments of their proud history. These sagas have been enjoyed for centuries, inspiring travellers to explore the Vikings' far-reaching legacy and keeping the culture alive.

What Is Valhalla?

In Norse legend, Valhalla (pron. /vælˈhælə, vɑːlˈhɑːlə/) is the grand hall of fallen warriors. Odin presides there, and according to the sagas, half of all who die in combat join his ranks in Valhalla and the other half go to Folkvangr, presided over by Freyja. In preparation for Ragnarok, Odin's einherjar (the slain in battle) and the Germanic heroes and kings within Valhalla march out to aid him in his battle against the jötnar.

Valhalla, which is seen in the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, Heimskringla, and Eiríksmál, has been a source of inspiration for many works of art and publications.

It is associated with a hall of the chosen dead and can be written as

• Valhöll in Icelandic
• Valhall in Swedish and Norwegian
• Valhøll in Faroese
• Valhal in Danish.

Do Vikings Exist Today?

No longer an ethnic group or society, Vikings have left descendants in various parts of the world, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and some areas of Scotland, Ireland, and England. The Viking legacy remains intact, notwithstanding their absence. The Viking Age had a long-term effect on the customs, speech, and identity of Scandinavian nations and the lands explored by the Vikings. They weren't only plunderers and invaders, but merchants, artisans, and farmers as well. They set up trading roads, colonized novel lands, and brought forth art, architecture, and literature that hold meaning for many to this day.

Nevertheless, one can opt to embody the Viking way of life, though it is strongly advised that pillaging and marauding should be avoided.

The qualities essential for every genuine Viking are paramount; no other traits matter. To embrace the Viking lifestyle, Scandinavian roots are not a necessity nor is any belief in the gods of the North, Odin or Thor. Neither race nor ethnicity is important. Becoming a Viking is simply a personal vow. That's all.

Currently, Vikings must confront their issues courageously. The contemporary Viking must have a zealous attitude to tackle the unfamiliar and broaden their boundaries.

The modern Viking should adhere to the moral standards established by Norse ancestors, which comprised the nine pillars:

1. Honor - a quality that combines respect, being proud, and honesty.
2. Honesty - the quality of being honest.
3. Courage - You must possess the confidence to stand up for your creed and abide by the principles you uphold.
4. Loyalty - the quality of being loyal.
5. Generosity - the quality of being kind and generous.
6. Perseverance - persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
7. Diligence - careful and persistent work or effort.
8. Hospitality - the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
9. Discipline - the ability to live by your own standards, and must be willing to control your own actions. 

If your ethics align with these traits, you are on the path to garner the esteem of the Norse gods in Valhalla and join their ranks.

As demonstrated, it is possible to emulate the lifestyle of a Viking today. Adopting these nine values will enable a person to gain insight into the ethical structure from which Norsemen operated. Though there are no more traditional Vikings, some still identify as modern-day ones. Such people often show a strong appreciation for Viking culture and history and take part in activities such as re-enactments, festivals, or other events that commemorate the Viking Age.

Conclusion

The products of Viking culture can be found in both historical and modern contexts around the world. Descendants of Vikings can be found all over the globe, carrying the values and traditions of Viking society, such as community, solidarity, and physical fitness. Scholars, history enthusiasts, and even everyday people remain captivated by the legacy of the Viking Age, which has left an unmistakable imprint on the world. This legacy will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.