Vikings

The Vikings lived one hundred years ago and they came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Who were the Vikings?

Vikings were also known as the Norsemen. They were great travellers and sailed to other parts of Europe, where they traded, raided, and often settled.

They were also farmers, fishermen, trappers and traders. Viking craftsmen made beautiful objects out of wood, metal and bone; Viking women were skilful weavers, produced fine, warm textiles.

Norsemen means 'people from the North'

Many Vikings were great travellers and sailed all over Europe and the Atlantic Ocean in their long ships.

The Viking Age began about 1,200 years ago in the 9th Century AD and lasted for 300 years.

The Vikings first invaded Britain in AD 793 and last invaded in 1066 when William the Conqueror became King of England after the Battle of Hastings.

The first place the Vikings attacked in Britain was the north east of England. A few years later the Scotland came under attack and its people were killed.

Other countries were attacked by the Vikings too

The Vikings also attacked settlements along the coasts and rivers of Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and France. The area they settled in France became known as Normandy, meaning land of the Northmen

Why did the Vikings invade Britain?

Most Vikings who sailed overseas were simply searching for better land for their farms. Their land was not very good for farming. Norway was very hilly, Sweden was covered in forests, and Denmark had a lot of sandy home land.


The Vikings soon attacked villages and towns in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and England.

No matter how many times the Vikings were beaten, they always came back, and in the end all their efforts paid off. It was the Vikings (Norse) of Normandy who finally conquered England in1066 and changed British history for ever.

The Vikings fought battles with swords,, bows and arrows. They protected themselves with round wooden shields.spears.