Briefly describe the Vikings' behavior in Europe during the Middle Ages,

Question

Any ideas? I'm pulling my hair out! lol

Answer 1

We did Medieval Europe last term in Humanities. We did a little bit on the Battle of Hastings, and as one of the contenders for the throne in Great Britain was the Viking King Harold Hardrada from Norway, we did a little bit on Vikings too. Here's what I know of Vikings from the European Middle Ages:

The Vikings were usually regarded as bloodthirsty seafaring pirates, whose impact on Medieval Europe was one of fear and terror. Yet these Vikings were also traders, settlers and farmers with a highly developed artistic culture and legal system. As they plundered the British Isles, these pagan invaders were seen by their Christian victims as a visitation from God.

IN BRITAIN...

The British Isles have been subject to frequent invasions. In turn, Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings invaded the islands and established their rule.

In 787, Viking sailors made their first raid on the English coast, and soon controlled the north and east of the country. In 1013, they seized the entire kingdom; under King Cnut, England was part of the Viking empire called Danelaw that included much of Scandinavia.

In 1066, the Normans (France) invaded and subjugated England (led by William the Conqueror). There were many contenders for the throne after Edward the Confessor's death, one of them was the Viking King from Norway, Harold Hardrada. They sailed to the coast of England to battle King Harold Godwin (the king Edward the Confessor named before he died) and his army, however were defeated at Stamford Bridge.

IN IRELAND...

In the 8th century, Ireland lacked strong government, and Viking invaders started to settle in along the coast. In 1002, Brian Boru (a non-Viking) king of the Munster, made himself High King of all Ireland. In 1014, he defeated the Vikings at Clontarf. Brian lost his life in the battle, but ended the Viking threat on Ireland.

IN FRANCE...

In 1911, the Frankish King Charles III (879-929) allowed a group of Vikings to settle on land in France. These settlers were called the Normans, because they came from the north and their new homeland became known as Normandy. Remember, the Normans invaded England however that was in 1066 and by that time, they were no longer known as Vikings. They adopted French language and customs, but they were fearsome warriors, and in the 11th century they conquered Sicily, and then England. The Normans made a great contribution to the culture of France, England and Italy, leaving behind original and beautiful architecture in their castles and cathedrals, a legal system and civil service, and fine French and English literature.

That's all I know of Medieval European Vikings from off the top of my head, I hope it helped!

-Tim :]

Answer 2

while I would generally agree that the Vikings were best known for looting, pillaging, and plundering, the Vikings were also shrewd traders, snazzy dressers (they wore bright colored clothing that they cobbled, crafted, dyed, or acquired by means through trading, pillaging, or just plain acquiring), skilled craftsmen, and accomplished seafarers. When refering to Viking behavior, keep in mind that the Vikings were made up of hundreds of clans that spanned a huge portion of northern Europe, and for every clan that embraced that age old tradition of pillage/loot/plunder, there were other clans that embraced commerce/trading/crafting with neighboring kingdoms. Western culture's notion of Viking behavior has hollywood and various fiction novels produced over the decades to thank for the barbarian image we readily associate with the Vikings.

Answer 3

They looted, pillaged, created a great deal of fear...Then settled down and became great rulers.

THeir most impt achievements were the founding of the kingdom of Rus

(later became Russia), the conquest of Normandy region of northern France, the Norman conquest of 1066 of England (last time island was ever invaded), conquest of Sicily about the same time.

Answer 4

Shortly: sail , kill , loot , burn, sail back , thank Wotan/Odin, drink, sail

Answer 5

Their raiding expeditions struck terror into the hearts of the english.  The particularly targeted monasteries and churches in their attacks, because they knew these were sources of great riches.  They robbed, burnt and pillaged.  They captured people and took them off as slaves, either to keep for themselves or to sell to others (the Viking slave market in Dublin was the largest in Europe).

They colonised some of the places they invaded, settling in Ireland and in the north of England, and establishing colonies in Iceland and Greenland.