The Vikings lived about 2000 years ago. Viking warriors came from Denmark, Sweden and Norway to raid villages and steal treasure. They were famous for sea-travel and travelled as far as North America!

A Viking called Erik the Red discovered Greenland, and it was a dark, icy place. But he wanted people to llive there so he named the place Greenland so people would think it was a warm place with grass and sunshine all year round. 

The Vikings were brave adventurers, and they were keen to seek new land and treasures. Each journey often took several years. The word Viking itself means Pirates and this tells us that Vikings lived really close to the sea. 

It was the rule at that time that when a Viking king died, each of his sons had equal right to the throne. But Erik Bloodaxe was famous for his ruthlessness. He killed both of his brothers after the death of his father just to attain the throne.

The Vikings built ships called "drakar" or dragon ships. These ships were war ships, and were long, speedy and could easily sail onto shores with shallow waters. The Viking sailors used the positions of the Sun, Moon and stars to guide them during their travels. They also followed the wind. 

Viking Pirates took gold from other ships, or towns, and they threatened to kill the people there if they refused to give them the gold. 

The Vikings were very, very fierce. They had to scare their enemies in battle. They charged their enemies with animal skins, howling and growling like wolves. These warriors were called "beserkirs" and this is where the word "beserk" comes from. 

Viking warriors even named their sword, and when a viking soldier died, they were buried with his sword by his side. Vikings bought or made all their weapons. Poor soldiers made their weapons, and carried knives and spears. Wealty Vikings had metal helmets and tunics, and fine, sharp swords. 

Viking women went to war to nurse the wounded warriors and cook meals for the soldiers. Odin was the king of the Viking gods, and he was believed to be riding an eight legged stallion. Sometimes, he liked to dress as a traveler in the human world. He had two ravens called Thought and Memory. 

The storm god Thor controlled the thunder. The Vikings prayed to Thor to stop thunder and let their crops grow. Njord was the god of the sea. He was married to the giantess Skadi, who watched over the mountains. 

The Viking warriors were very brave in war because they believed they would go to heaven if they died, and feast with the gods. Vikings thought that dead warriors were remembered forever. 

The Vikings had Longhouses, which were long houses with a grass roof. Not hay, green, growing grass. There was an area for the animals at one end and the people at the other, ensuring that everyone stayed dry. 

Runes were the 16 letters of the Viking alphabet. All runes were carved onto wood. 

Many Vikings suffered from chest diseases, because their houses did not have windows and were not well-ventilated. The Vikings loved cows, because they provided milk, clothing, meat, and fertilizer. 

There was no mass-production during that time, or even just selling at a nearby market; many built there own furniture, and houses. Blacksmiths made weapons and tools to work with. 

Vikings wore lots of layers of clothes to keep out the cold. Women wore long linen dresses or woollen over dresses, and men dressed in woollen tunics and trousers. 

The Vikings told "sagas" that were stories that the Vikings told to honour heroes who died in battle. This was to ensure their name and fame never died. These stories were passed on for many years. 

Did you know that Santa was a Viking god? Yule (mid-winter) was an important Viking festival. Vikings held feasts and exchanged gifts. They also believed that Viking gods travelled across the sky, bringing good things - Like Santa!

Many Viking words such as "sister" "knife" and "egg" are the words we still use today!

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I hope you enjoyed this article, if you have any suggestions, please let me know           ~ Shikha ~

Source: My First Question and Answer Book: Chapter 15

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