Who were the Vikings? The Vikings were Scandinavian farmers, traders, explorers and warriors whose ships carried them across Europe and the North Atlantic.

Who were the Vikings? They were peoples from Scandinavia who became famous as sailors, traders, explorers, settlers and raiders. In Britain the Viking Age began in the 8th century and continued for about 300 years.

Viking longship.

WHO WERE THE VIKINGS?

The Vikings lived in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, on the other side of the North Sea from the British Isles. They were farmers and fishermen who also became traders, sailors and warriors.

The Viking Age in Britain began in the 8th century. In England it is usually taken to end in 1066, although Viking communities and influence continued much longer in parts of Scotland and elsewhere.

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LONGSHIPS AND THE SEA

Viking ships made long-distance travel possible. Their crews could cross open seas, approach coasts quickly and use rivers to reach far inland.

Ships were used for more than warfare. They carried people, animals and goods, linking Scandinavian communities with trading places and settlements across a very wide area.

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RAIDS — AND WHY THEY CHANGED

For about fifty years many Viking attacks on Britain were hit-and-run raids. Small groups arrived, took valuables and left again.

Later, some Vikings began to stay. The change from raiding to settlement transformed the relationship between Scandinavia and Britain.

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SETTLERS FROM NORWAY AND DENMARK

Norwegian Vikings settled especially in the islands of northern Scotland and on the east coast of Ireland. Viking settlement also reached Normandy in northern France.

Danish Vikings became especially important in England. In the 9th century large forces arrived and took control of extensive areas in the east.

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THE GREAT ARMY AND THE DANELAW

The Danish invasions became much larger when thousands of warriors arrived as a Great Army. They captured territory and forced Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to respond.

Large parts of eastern and northern England came under Viking rule. The area later known as the Danelaw developed settlements, laws and place names that reflected Scandinavian influence.

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ALFRED AND THE STRUGGLE FOR ENGLAND

The Vikings met resistance from the English, Scots and Irish. The most famous Anglo-Saxon king to fight them was Alfred, who prevented the Vikings from taking the whole of England.

The struggle continued for roughly two centuries. At different times Anglo-Saxon kings or Viking rulers held the advantage.

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TOWNS, CRAFTS AND TRADE

Viking settlements were not simply military camps. Farmers, craftspeople and traders lived in them. Workshops produced useful and decorative objects, and markets exchanged local and imported goods.

Harbours, beaches and wooden walkways mattered because movement by water was central to Viking life. A settlement connected to sea routes could become a busy trading place.

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THE VIKING LEGACY

Many Vikings settled permanently. Their language influenced English, and Scandinavian place names still survive in many parts of Britain.

Viking ancestry also became part of the population. Even after the age of invasion ended, the people who had settled did not simply disappear: their communities became part of later Britain.

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Video: An introduction to the Vikings.

Vikings