The History of Vikings

In 793 AD Viking warriors sacked the holy island of Lindisfarne. Their swift attack would mark the dawn of the Viking Age. An age when monasteries and coastal villages would be sacked, burned, and pillaged regularly.

Today we tend to think of the Vikings solely as warriors, but in reality, the Vikings were just as concerned with putting food on the table as they were with pillaging and raiding. While they were exceptional warriors, the primary responsibility of every Viking was to provide food for his family. That meant maintaining a farm or working as a blacksmith, carpenter, soldier, or shipbuilder in order to provide for his family.

The Vikings were a truly legendary people. For nearly 300 years they ruled the waves of the Northern Seas and raided peaceful monasteries and towns along the coasts of England, Ireland, Scotland and France. As raiders, the Vikings had an infamous and beastly reputation. Pillaging, burning, and killing whatever lay in their path. They would stop at nothing to appease their desire for wealth and glory. But apart from being excellent at raiding, the Vikings also established a trading network that stretched from Finland to Newfoundland, successfully besieged the greatest, most heavily defended city in the world, discovered North America, and revolutionized the way that we build ships. Not to mention the vibrant myths and sagas they told that is still capable of inspiring us today! The history of Vikings is a rich one, and I hope you’ll join me in rediscovering it! Follow The History of Vikings on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryofViking?lang=en Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, suggestions or inquiries that you might have: noah@thehistoryofvikings.com