LIVING IN THE PAST NG KiDS is at Land of Legends – a huge open-air museum in Lejre, Denmark – to experience life, Viking-style! First, we get kitted out like Meet the karls in historical Who exactly were these legendary warriors garb – woollen that first invaded our shores in 793AD? trousers, linen tunics and Originally from Scandinavia (now Denmark, Norway and ), leather belts for the mighty conquered, raided, explored and traded with VIKINGS! men and boys, almost all of Europe, and parts of Asia and North America, too! and floor-length Battle training is fun! Join us as we travel to Denmark to find out more about them… VIKING WARRIORS SUPER SOCIETIES VIKING This hairy hell-raiser is probably what you have Not all Vikings were bearded pirates KINGS linen and in mind when you think of a Viking. Skilled who spent their time battling woollen dresses for the women and girls. Many small The day of seafarers and fearsome fighters, Viking around Europe! In fact, most Vikings kingdoms made warriors risked dangerous sea crossings to raid lived in a structured society and our arrival is a up Viking society, Thursday (aka other countries, and sometimes fought to the were peaceful farmers, hunters each ruled over death to conquer new lands. Some of these and fishermen. Here’s a handy Thor’s Day), and by a king. Some so in honour of the warriors volunteered to fight, excited by the ‘who’s who’ guide… kings controlled a idea of riches abroad. Others were professional hammer-wielding few small villages god of thunder, fighters, paid by rulers to protect them. Some but others – such were ordered to fight by their village chief. we venture into as the famous the blacksmith’s Harald Bluetooth workshop and get – ruled huge areas You’ll notice there are no horns on JARLS busy with billows spanning several and hammers, this helmet – that’s because they After royalty, countries. were added by storytellers many years jarls were the crafting axes, later to make Vikings sound scarier! wealthiest, In the blacksmith’s knives and coins! most powerful Next up, we people – many transform fish skins into purses for coins Braided hair and beards KARLS and jewellery (yes were chiefs. The largest group of people stopped hair blowing in a really!), and have a Fish skin in Viking society, karls warrior’s face during fights! go winding yarn is washed Warriors carried were men and women before tucking and dried swords, spears, bows Better-off Vikings who owned their own in to a delicious before it’s and arrows, huge would wear farms or rented land off Viking lunch. used as a metre-long axes and bright reds and the jarls. Most karls Flatbread, eggs, material knives, too. Some of The crazy guy below is a , blues – the more were farmers or fish, and pea these swords were so the most feared of all the fighters. colourful the fishermen, but many and mushroom loved by their owners He would battle without garment, the more were merchants, stew are washed that they were given any protective expensive it was. craftsmen and traders. down with water names, such as clothing, slurped from Skull-splitter. Eek! shrieking loud animal horns! cries of abuse as he But we’ve got fought – literally, to gulp down going berserk! Once married, Viking women our pudding covered their hair (yoghurt with with a headscarf. honey and flowers!) quickly – because after lunch we’re going sailing on a Viking … VIKING WOMEN Viking women had more freedom and power than women in other societies at that time. They could own land, ask for a divorce, Large wooden shields about and be in charge of the farm or house 1m in diameter protected the Herbert.Tim © Jagucki. photos Illustrations: Marek Land of Legends when their husbands were away. Cooking, warriors’ bodies from knee Viking-style! to chin. Many were painted to make them look more intimidating. A rim of metal or THRALLS animal skin made them stronger. Wealthy Vikings had slaves known Slurping from a horn! as thralls to work on their farms Wealthier fighters wore and could order them to fight. protective knee-length Viking warriors believed that they Some were born in captivity, while Turn the page to find chainmail shirts made from would go to Valhalla if they were others were captured during out about Viking ships thousands of interlocking iron killed heroically in battle. There, dead battles. A thrall could be bought rings. But many battled wearing fighters would enjoy a great feast. for 300g of silver – that’s less than just a helmet and leather shirt. a sword, which went for 500g! ngkids.co.uk 21