Vikings: An Overview

Introduction

• The Viking Age: Late 8th Century to Late 11th Century.
• Vikings, also known as Norsemen or Normans.
• Origin: Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway).
• Reasons for Raiding: Mini ice age, short growing periods.

Raiding and Settlements

• Primary Raiding Regions:
  • British Isles (including Ireland).
  • France.
  • Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Middle East, Newfoundland (Canada).
• Written Records:
  • Vikings were preliterate; records from afflicted societies like Britain and France.
• Settlements:
  • Invited by local leaders to settle and protect communities.
  • Notable settlement: Normandy in France.
• Byzantine Empire:
  • Employed Vikings as bodyguards.

Viking Warrior Characteristics

• Physical Prowess:
  • Preferred personal combat, did not use slaves in battle.
  • Trained and fought in family units.
• Family Fighting Units:
  • Similar to Spartan tradition.
  • Family bonds used to strengthen fighting units.

Viking Longboats

• Design:
  • Made of wood, covered with black tar.
  • Shallow draft (3 feet): Capable of beach landings and river navigation.
• Utility:
  • Used for both coastal raids and surprise inland attacks.

Raiding Strategies

• Rivers and Surprise Attacks:
  • Used shallow boats for river navigation to surprise inland villages.
• Avoidance of Direct Battles:
  • Avoided defensive battles, utilized resourceful escape techniques such as overland boat transport.

Conclusion

• The Vikings were resourceful and formidable raiders with strategic innovations.
• The complexity of Viking society highlighted in various aspects including their military strategies and societal structures.
• Part two will cover Viking weapons in detail.