A history of the vikings in europe

According to this theory, the word simply described persons from this area, and it is only in the last few centuries that it has taken on the broader sense of early medieval Scandinavians in general.

Vikings buried their dead in boats. In the Norse religion, valiant warriors entered festive and glorious realms after death, and it was thought that the vessels that served them well in life would help them reach their final destinations.

Who Were the Vikings?

Distinguished raiders and prominent women were often laid to rest in ships, surrounded by weapons, valuable goods and sometimes even sacrificed slaves. Vikings were active in the slave trade. Many Vikings got rich off human trafficking. They would capture and enslave women and young men while pillaging Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Slavic settlements.

Viking women enjoyed some basic rights. Viking girls got hitched as young as 12 and had to mind the household while their husbands sailed off on adventures. Still, they had more freedom than other women of their era.

Viking men spent most of their time farming. This may come as a disappointment, but most Viking men brandished scythes, not swords. True, some were callous pirates who only stepped off their boats to burn villages, but the vast majority peacefully sowed barley, rye and oats—at least for part of the year.

They also raised cattle, goats, pigs and sheep on their small farms, which typically yielded just enough food to support a family. Vikings skied for fun.

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Scandinavians developed primitive skis at least 6, years ago, though ancient Russians may have invented them even earlier. By the Viking Age, Norsemen regarded skiing as an efficient way to get around and a popular form of recreation.

They even worshipped a god of skiing, Ullr. Viking gentlemen preferred being blond. In some regions, beards were lightened as well.

Vikings were never part of a unified group. The term simply referred to all Scandinavians who took part in overseas expeditions.

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you.With settlements stretching across a vast expanse and with legends of their exploits extending even farther, the Vikings were the most far-flung and feared people of their time.

With settlements stretching across a vast expanse and with legends of their exploits extending even farther, the Vikings were the most . Between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the Vikings surged from their Scandinavian homeland to trade and raid along the coasts of Europe.

Their influence extended from Newfoundland to Baghdad, their battles were as far-flung as Africa and the Arctic.

BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: How do we know about the Vikings?

The period from the earliest recorded raids in the s until the Norman conquest of England in is commonly known as the Viking Age of Scandinavian history.

Vikings used the Norwegian Sea and Baltic Sea for sea routes to the south. The Normans were descended from Vikings who were given feudal overlordship of areas in northern France—the Duchy of Normandy—in the 10th century.

More important than the Celts and the Romans for the development of the English language, though, was the succession of invasions from continental Europe after the Roman withdrawal. 2. Vikings were known for their excellent hygiene. Between rowing boats and decapitating enemies, Viking men must have stunk to high Valhalla, right?