OBJECTIVES:

1.To understand who the Vikings were by using

the power point information to create a culture

web.

2.Present the role of the Vikings in history, by

Watching the movie to trace their actions throughout history.

What do you know about the Vikings? Brainstorm and write down All that you know about the Vikings, you can even draw a pictureIf you want….

Click for movie

WORLD POWERS BEFORE THE VIKING ERA

Early attacks on monasteries and coastline towns marked the Viking explosion into European history. During the Middle Ages, from 800 to1100, the Vikings ruled the seas and raided the coasts and river ports at will.

During this time three large empires controlled most of the known world – the Moslems controlled the Atlantic to the edges of India, the Byzantines covered the eastern area that was once the Roman Empire, and the area controlled by Charlemagne was the third great empire.

When Charlemagne’s empire broke up, local rulers were weak and became easy prey to Viking attack. In fact, a special prayer was created to beg for help: “From the fury of the Northmen, deliver us, oh Lord!”

WHERE THE VIKINGS CAME FROM

The Vikings were descended from early German tribes. They lived in the areas that are now called Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Although farming was their principle way of life, these lands were so far north that the summer growing season was short. There was not much good farmland on the steep hillsides. Historians believe that in the 800s the climate grew colder further shortening the growing season.

The Northmen had to find new lands or new ways to support themselves. The countries were so full of rivers, fjords and lakes, that every man, woman and child grew up knowing how to handle a boat. Their skill in building and handling boats meant that they could go sailing across the waters to explore new ways to make life easier.

VIKING BOATS

Viking boats were fast and shallow. This made them easier to pull ashore – perfect for lightning raids on coastal towns. They were made of overlapping planks lashed to wooden ribs with roots of spruce trees allowing for flexibility when hit by large waves. A Viking’s boat was his most prized possession. When he died he would be buried in his boat with enough food and supplies to carry him on his journey to Valhalla, the Vikings’ heaven. The remains of burial ships have been found in Sweden and Norway.

Ships were fitted to carry a square sail and up to 30 oars. One man steered with a rudder fastened to the right side of the ship. Ships were perfected about the same time overcrowding made life at home uncomfortable. It was natural for young men to go a-Viking – a word that meant adventuring.

VIKING NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS

AND TOOLS

The Vikings were fearless sailors and explorers. They set out confidently to cross the seas in their longboats. Although they had no sophisticated navigational devices, they were experienced sailors. They studied the waves, winds, stars and birds, and with their crude compasses and sextants, put their knowledge together to determine where they were and how far they had traveled. They also used a crude dial that helped them find their position north or south based on the position of a star in the sky.

VIKING HOMELIFE, WOMEN AND GOVERNMENT

Viking children were taught in the art of battle and to fight fiercely for what was theirs and never allow anybody to deny them their rights. They believed to die in battle was the greatest of all honors. Warriors would be escorted to Valhalla by the hand maidens of Wodan, the chief Viking god. This made them fearless.

Vikings were family men. While the men were looking for treasure, the women took care of the farm and home. Women were fully capable of directing the defense, and if necessary, taking part in battle. Viking women enjoyed more respect than any other women of their day – they could own property and even divorce their husbands!

The All Thing, also called the Law Thing, was the Scandinavian version of representative government. Men would meet to decide lawsuits and try criminals. It is Europe’s oldest assembly. Countries were governed by the kings, but even they had to listen to the local All Thing. They could not deny their subjects their basic freedoms. Decisions of the All Thing were enforced by public opinion because there were no police. Punishments may have included death, slavery, payment of a fine, or banishment (a terrible punishment for a Viking).

DIFFERENT VIKING ROLES OF DANES, NORWEGIANS AND SWEDES

Vikings from Sweden, Norway and Denmark conquered different parts of the world.

The Swedes sailed eastward following the great rivers to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea sailing far inland to what is today Russia. The Swedes were called Rus, which might be the origination of the term, Russia.

The Norwegian Vikings traveled to the west in their adventuring. They discovered Iceland and Greenland, and may have sailed as far west as North America.

The Danes sailed west and south toward England, France, Ireland, Spain and Italy. One Dane, named Ivar the Boneless, put together a great army and attacked and conquered the northwest part of England. Rolf the Walker attacked the French coast; the French king turned over what is known as Normandy – Northman’s Land – in return for peace.

VIKING TRADE ACTIVITY, CRAFTS AND LANGUAGE

The Vikings did more than fight, pillage and sail away. They settled in England and Ireland and helped build the cities of that time. Their skills with boats led them to become traders. Trade centers were set up linking the eastern and western worlds. Furs, embroidered silks and wines would change hands. Silver, pottery and other handcrafted items could be traded for finely made weapons. The Vikings were gifted craftsmen and lovers of beauty in their workmanship. Metal smiths wrought beautiful jewelry. Wealthy men carried swords with elaborately decorated hilts. Woodcarvers decorated ships, carts, sleds and even houses with graceful carvings.

Trade brought them into contact with Christian nations. They abandoned their local gods and became Christians. The Vikings had an alphabet known as runes. Inscriptions have been found carved in stones in many parts of the world telling tales of Viking bravery and death in faraway lands. Poetic sagas told of brave deeds that probably began as tales passed down by word of mouth.

HOMEWORK

Using your web, and information you gathered fromThe power point and movie:

You are to create a caricature of a Viking from the point of View of the attacked. It should include symbols for their culture. Attire, pictures for technology, short phrases to explain eachAspect of their culture. Each aspect should be represented byA picture/symbol and/or phrase of information. Include key terms,At least one for each cultural aspect (6). This needs to be neatlyDone in pen or typed. NOT on lined paper.

Vikings had writingcalled runes

Terrorized seasidetowns and monasteries.Berserkers instilled fearand chaos.