Warfare
The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The name 'Viking' comes from a language called 'Old Norse' and means 'a pirate raid'. People who went off raiding in ships were said to be 'going Viking'.
Weapons and Warfare
The Vikings fought with swords, axes, spears and bows and arrows.
Viking warriors wore fighting helmets made from leather or iron. It is often thought that Viking helmets had two horns on the top however the helmet used for raids and in battle did not have horns. Horned helmets were only used in religious ceremonies and for display. Viking swords were made of iron with steel edges. The sword was double-edged and relatively lightweight and measured about 90cm in length. The sword handles were often decorated with silver and gold. The Vikings gave names to their swords such as Head-Biter or Hole-Maker.
Viking axes or battle-axes were capable of cutting through enemy helmets and shields. The axes sometimes had intricate designs engraved on the blades. They were given names such as Head-crusher.
The Vikings used bows and arrows for hunting and also for battle. Bows and arrows allowed the Vikings to attack the enemy from a distance. In large battles, the Viking bowmen stood behind the other warriors and fired their arrows into the enemy by aiming high and letting the arrows fall onto the enemy from above.Spears were also used by the Vikings. The spears were thrown and also held and used for stabbing the enemy.
Viking warriors wore fighting helmets made from leather or iron. It is often thought that Viking helmets had two horns on the top however the helmet used for raids and in battle did not have horns. Horned helmets were only used in religious ceremonies and for display. Viking swords were made of iron with steel edges. The sword was double-edged and relatively lightweight and measured about 90cm in length. The sword handles were often decorated with silver and gold. The Vikings gave names to their swords such as Head-Biter or Hole-Maker.
Viking axes or battle-axes were capable of cutting through enemy helmets and shields. The axes sometimes had intricate designs engraved on the blades. They were given names such as Head-crusher.
The Vikings used bows and arrows for hunting and also for battle. Bows and arrows allowed the Vikings to attack the enemy from a distance. In large battles, the Viking bowmen stood behind the other warriors and fired their arrows into the enemy by aiming high and letting the arrows fall onto the enemy from above.Spears were also used by the Vikings. The spears were thrown and also held and used for stabbing the enemy.
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Reasons for warfare
Historians also suggest that the Scandinavian population was too large for the peninsula and there was not enough good farmland for everyone. This led to a hunt for more land. Particularly for the settlement and conquest period that followed the early raids, internal strife in Scandinavia resulted in the progressive centralisation of power into fewer hands.
Famous Leaders and Battles
Eric the Red was a famous Viking explorer who lived at about 950 A.D. He got this name because of his red hair. When his father had to leave Norway because he had killed somebody, Eric went with him. The family settled in Iceland.
Eric decided to explore the island and when he sailed west he discovered Greenland.
In 985 he persuaded some friends and relatives to go to Greenland with him. Two towns were founded there with a total of about 400 people.
Eric became the leader of these two towns. Some settlers were farmers and raised cattle pigs and sheep. Others hunted bears and other animals.
Eric decided to explore the island and when he sailed west he discovered Greenland.
In 985 he persuaded some friends and relatives to go to Greenland with him. Two towns were founded there with a total of about 400 people.
Eric became the leader of these two towns. Some settlers were farmers and raised cattle pigs and sheep. Others hunted bears and other animals.