Vikings: History, Raids, and Culture PDF

**[Who were the Vikings?]** - The Vikings were Scandinavian seafarers known for their raids, trading, and exploration from the late 8th to the early 11th century. - The Vikings were referred by the name Norsemen, highlighting their geographical homeland location, which is the North...

**[Who were the Vikings?]** - The Vikings were Scandinavian seafarers known for their raids, trading, and exploration from the late 8th to the early 11th century. - The Vikings were referred by the name Norsemen, highlighting their geographical homeland location, which is the North. - they were also called by various other names, such as Northmen, sea-rovers, the great army, or the heathens by Anglo-Saxon writers. - They were warriors characterized by their longships and raids on coastal settlements. **[Where they came from?]** - The Vikings' homeland was **Scandinavia.** - They originated primarily from modern-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.  **[Viking Invasion of Britain]** Viking settlements in England evolved significantly over time, transitioning from initial raiding activities to established communities. 1. **[Early Raids and Initial Contacts]** a. The Viking incursions began in the late 8th century. b. Raid on Lindisfarne in 793 AD mainly targeting monasteries and wealthy coastal towns. c. The so-called \"Great Heathen Army,\" a coalition of Norse warriors, invaded England in 865 AD, conquering several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except for Wessex. 2. **[Transition to Settlement]** The [Battle of Edington] in 878. This victory led to the Treaty of Wedmore, which established the Danelaw. - The establishment of the Danelaw, a region of England under Norse control that included parts of modern-day East Anglia and Northumbria. 3. **[Reinvasion of England]** - After Alfred\'s death in 899, his successors faced ongoing Viking threats. - In 991, King Æthelred II paid Danegeld (a form of tribute) to appease Viking raiders. - In 1013, King Sweyn of Denmark invaded England and claimed the throne. Then after his death his son became a king in 1016. **[Reasons for Invasion]** [Economic Gain:] They targeted places with minimal defenses and significant treasures. [Land and Settlement]: As their population grew, many Vikings sought arable land for farming. [Trade Expansion:] The Vikings were also traders who expanded trade networks across Europe, connecting Northern Europe with the Mediterranean and beyond. **[Cultural Impact on Britain]** - Many Old Norse words entered English vocabulary, including terms like \"sky,\" \"egg,\" and \"window.\" - Vikings established important urban centers such as York (Jorvik) and Dublin. These towns became hubs of trade and cultural exchange. - The Vikings brought their mythology and artistic styles to Britain, leading to a fusion of Norse and Anglo-Saxon traditions. This is evident in grave markers known as \"Hogback\". **[The End of Viking Rule]** The eventual decline of Viking influence was solidified with the Norman Conquest in 1066 when William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. This marked a significant shift in English history as Norman culture began to dominate.