FREE A HISTORY OF THE VIKINGS PDF Gwyn Jones | 528 pages | 19 Jul 2001 | Oxford University Press | 9780192801340 | English | Oxford, United Kingdom Vikings History: An Overview of the Culture and History of the Viking Age - History Vikings history is as extensive as the people it studies. The seafaring Vikings in Danish, the Vikinger were a group of people that came from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. They made an enduring A History of the Vikings for themselves in the 8th through the 11th centuries for being tactical warriors, smart traders, and daring explorers. In fact, they arrived in America 1, years before Columbus ever did, and archeologists have found some of their remnants scattered as far east as Russia. Click here to see more posts in this category. Scroll down to see our A History of the Vikings collection of articles on Vikings history. They were fully unprepared for the ferocity of the warriors, armed with sword, axe and shield. The attack and plunder of Lindisfarne, a rich and unprotected monastery, echoed throughout the next years of European history. The Viking Age had begun. Historians use the term the Viking Age to describe the turbulent expansion of the Scandinavian people A History of the Vikings Europe A History of the Vikings Russia. Beginning in A. Any unprotected community was a target. They terrorized, plundered, traded, explored and finally settled and farmed all over the lands they encountered. Simply put, the Vikings were Norwegians, Swedes and Danes, men who were usually farmers, traders, blacksmiths, and craftsmen. For various reasons, they took to raiding towns, churches and monasteries. Many of the places they attacked were on the coasts as they were easiest to reach. With their swift and easily landed ships, the Vikings could quickly swarm over the communities, killing and looting, and just as fast return to their ships and leave. They were gone before any defense or counter-attack could be made. Strangely enough, for most of the men who went a-viking, it was only part time. They often returned in time for harvest in the fall. Raiding was very profitable, however, and many farmers became full time pirates and raiders. The people called Vikings were also fearless explorers who actually reached North America, making them the first Europeans to discover America. They settled Iceland and tried to colonize Greenland. They were also shrewd and competent traders and merchants. They traded all the goods of the north — furs, amber, iron and timber — for all the goods of A History of the Vikings south — silver, gold, silks and spices. A History of the Vikings all along the trade routes, the Vikings traded in slaves. Read our articles to explore these aspects of the incredible culture of these intrepid and dangerous men. Scholars debate why the Scandinavian people began to go raiding in the late 8th century. Most likely it was a combination of factors that lead to the Vikings setting off in their long boats to raid other communities. Viking ship technology made the fearful Viking raids possible. Special ship construction techniques made the long ships and larger dragon ships versatile enough to sail great distances, carry up to men, withstand rough seas while still being light enough to drag over land or carry through portages. Explore with us as we consider Viking ship building and navigation skills. Contemporaries of the Vikings were awed by their ships and sailing skills. Find out why by reading further. They established new territories in Iceland, Greenland and temporarily, North America. From A. Popular movies and novels give you a glimpse into their lives, but usually show only a part of the impact these energetic people had on the known world of the time. Reading here will give you a much better grasp of their impact on other cultures. We will explore Viking culture and the structure of their society, A History of the Vikings roles of men and women and the daily life of the time. Here you will find articles on women and children in that warrior culture. Examine their stunning artwork and jewelry, as well as their weaponry and armor. The brave among you can read about a Viking raid from the point of view of the victims. Come with us as we take ship with Vikings to explore the new lands of Iceland and Vinland. Find out what your name would look A History of the Vikings in runes, the Viking writing system. Explore with us the mythology and literature of the Viking era. Scholars have many theories about the reasons why the Scandinavians began leaving home on extensive raids, trading missions, explorations and settlement, which include:. As the Viking Age raids and trading brought more wealth into Scandinavian, the growing prosperity might have led to greater population growth. The Vikings practiced primogeniture, which means the eldest son inherits everything and any younger sons nothing. Without land to farm, younger A History of the Vikings would need to find a way to make a living. This theory seems likely at least as one of the factors leading to the Scandinavian expansion into Europe. Vikings were not Christians, therefore, they saw no hindrance in attacking ecclesiastical centers such as A History of the Vikings. However, even in warfare, Christians did not attack properties of the Church—at least not often—so Church properties were unprotected. No doubt Vikings did see church properties as easy pickings, as the Church had grown very wealthy and usually had more wealth than even kings or merchants. While in previous times, Scandinavians had traded with Europeans readily, as Europe became more Christian, Christian traders began to refuse to trade with pagans or Muslims. This created problems for the Vikings, and perhaps they saw raids as a way of fixing those problems. It seems likely that this was one of the causative factors of the Viking Age, as Vikings decided to go raiding or settle elsewhere. Vikings were bold, brave people who no doubt felt the lure of adventure in foreign lands. With these beliefs, why not take chance into your hands and go raiding? After the first raid, the profitability would have been obvious to all. In the early Viking Age, Viking traders noted that they suffered losses in trade contracts and deals because the other party was Christian. Christian traders tended to give more business and better deals to other Christians, discriminating against pagans and Muslims. They loved their own gods and were content with them. English and Frankish Christian priests and monks had begun missionary tours to the Viking lands from the s to s. However, the conversion of the Vikings took place over centuries. Even when a Danish or Swedish king became Christian and proclaimed his people were Christian, many still practiced their pagan ways and held to the old gods. By the end of the Viking Age, however, most Vikings had become fully Christian and were baptized and buried in that faith. Harald Bluetooth raised the Jelling Stone proclaiming that he made all Danes Christian, although the new faith lived side by side with the old for the next few hundred years. Danish Vikings accepted Christianity slowly. It was finished in By then, most Danes had become Christian. Through these violent methods, every part of Norway became Christian, at least in name. During the later Viking Age, Christianity began making inroads in Sweden, with Episcopal sees being established during the 11th century. By the 12th century, however, Sweden was predominantly Christian. Within the male-dominated Viking society, women had a certain amount of personal power, depending on their social status. Women were valuable members of the society and it was shameful for a man to harm a woman. Spinning, carding, weaving, cutting and sewing took a long time. Viking women married young—as early as 12 years old. By the age of 20, virtually all men and women were married. Life expectancy was about 50 years, but most died long before reaching Only a few lived to Marriages were arranged by the parents of the young couple. Since both families A History of the Vikings a financial investment in the new couple, a marriage was as much a matter for the families as it was for the people involved. Viking children did not go to school as we know it today. Girls worked along with their mothers and A History of the Vikings learning how to cook, garden, take care of the domestic animals and make clothing. By the time they reached adulthood at 12 to 15, both boys and girls could effectively run a household and a farm. As is always the case, there were exceptions to these general societal rules of behavior. When the men went to settle Iceland, Greenland and Vinland, women went with them. Vikings settled in England, Ireland and France as families. However, only men went raiding and trading while women stayed home and minded the farm. Women in Viking society had more power than most other European women of the time. They could divorce their husbands, own some property and sell their own handicrafts. Some women became wealthy landowners. Even a few weapons were found in female graves, giving the notion that some women were fighters along side of their men. Most women in Viking society, however, lived and worked in the domestic realm of the household. In the world of Norse mythology, we find gods and goddesses, giants, strange and powerful creatures, elves, dwarves and land spirits. It A History of the Vikings difficult for a 21st century person to conceive of the worldview of the Vikings, brimming as it was with such a variety of spiritual beings.