The Vikings

The age of the Vikings is commonly known as the Viking Age of Scandinavian History. There name came from a variety of descents and was rarely heard of. “The term 'Viking' was virtually unknown ...”

The Vikings went from North Africa to east to Russia and Constantinople. They did this as looters, traders, or mercenaries. In the 10th century the Vikings, under Leif Eriksson, went to far North America, along with Canada, Massachusetts, and Maine. The weapons used by the Vikings were hard to find information on. Information on weapons, etc. was based on little archaeological finds, pictorial representation, and Norse Laws in the13th century. All Norse men were required to have certain weapons on them at all times, and this was a sign of Viking structure. Weapons varied from the rich, helmet, chain mail shirt, animal skin coat, shield, to the poor, a single weapon and shield. The spear and shield are the most basic weapons worn by a Viking warrior, as though an axe and bow.

The earliest Viking raid is said to be during 787, when three ships from Norway sailed to Portland Bay, Dorset. The Vikings committed many raids during their existence. After a lot of Viking raids, the monks fled Lindisfarne in 875 ad, carrying the relics of Saint Cuthbert with them. In 840, Norwegians raided during the winter instead of the summer, where they waited on an island off Ireland. A vast army of Danish Vikings arrived in East Anglia, in 865. They then went to cross England into North Umbria and captured York, “where some settled as farmers”. Vikings were becoming a huge problem, but Alfred from Wessex managed to keep them away, and also retake York.

When Erik Bloodaxe captured York, the Vikings appeared in England. Viking existence continued through the reign of Canute the Great. Vikings were not always successful, in England, a small Viking fleet attacked a rich monastery at Jarrow and the Vikings were met with stronger resistance than they expected: “their leaders were killed, the raiders escaped, only to have their ships beached at Tynemouth and the crews killed by locals.” For about 40 years the Vikings haven’t lead a raid since. This is when they came upon going towards Ireland and Scotland.

“You must not expect me to share ...your high opinion of the Vikings. They were brave and skilful men, but they were a nuisance in the world they lived in, as other brave and skilful men are today.”

Vikings were not loved by all people they came across as the Irish were kind.

In the 830s Scandinavian presence increased Vikings were believed to have raided Earn and Tay Valley, and the isles to the north and west of Scotland were heavily colonized by The Vikings. They were seen in Ireland along with Wales. In Ireland they raided many towns, but were responsible for the founding of many important ones, like Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, and Mullingar. During the 9th century, the Vikings also known as Varangians in the East, diminished a raid on Constantinople. This specific area of expeditions started at Kiev and continued along the Dnieper River.

The Vikings raided and founded many towns in Ireland: Dublin, Limerick, Mullingar, Wexford, Waterford and Leixlip. We can see evidence of Scandinavian and Viking presence in Ireland because of the type of literature, crafts, and decorative styles found today. Also the Vikings did many trading throughout Ireland and excavations found imported fabrics from England, Byzantium, Persia, and Central Asia. As a result of this extensive town, houses were built outside city limits because of over crowdedness.

In 795, the Vikings conducted many monasteries on Ireland’s west