My Viking project

By Clodagh

IntroductionHi my name is Clodagh and this is my project on the Vikings.

Who were the Vikings?

The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The name 'Viking' comes from a language called 'Old Norse' and means 'a pirate raid'. People who went off raiding in ships were said to be 'going Viking'.

Who were the Vikings?

The Viking age in European history was about AD 700 to 1100. During this period many Vikings left Scandinavia and travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland. Some went to fight and steal treasure. Others settled in new lands as farmers, craftsmen or traders.

Viking womenViking women wore a long linen dress. It could be either plain or pleated. Over the dress they wore a long woollen tunic, a little like an apron. It was held up by a pair of brooches, sometimes joined by a chain or string of beads. Over the tunic she might wear a shawl. Her legs and feet were covered with thick woolly socks and soft leather shoes. Both men and women wore fur or woollen hats and cloaks in cold weather. The cloaks were fastened at the shoulder with a brooch or a pin.

Where the Vikings Travelled

The Vikings travelled extensively. Below you will find a European map, which shows their most frequently used travel routes. In addition to sailing at open sea and along the coastlines, the Vikings travelled along the rivers in Europe and made overland journeys. The Vikings were, in short, very mobile.

Where the Vikings Travelled

Map of where they travelled:

Viking ShipsThe Viking ship was perhaps the greatest technical and artistic achievement of the European dark ages. These fast ships had the strength to survive ocean crossings while having a draft of as little as 50cm (20 inches), allowing navigation in very shallow water.

Viking Houses

Viking houses are often called longhouse. This is because they were usually oblong in shape. The main building was up to 30 metres long, but  other buildings might be added on. In the Viking  homelands there were plenty of trees, so the walls of the houses were built of wood and the roofs were thatched with straw or reeds.

Viking HousesWhere there were not many trees, however, the walls were built from slabs of turf on a stone base  with roofs made from thatch or turf. Sometimes the grass  in the turf was allowed to keep on growing on the roof as this helped to keep the house warm. Another method of house-building was wattle and daub. Upright posts were woven together with twigs and then daubed with thick mud to keep out the draughts. 

Hope you enjoyed

my project